Hybrid and Electric Cars in Swindon, Cirencester

 

Feeling confused about Hybrid and electric vehicles, let’s see if we can help?

Because hybrid vehicles offer both an engine and a battery, many people are seeing this as the next step for them to purchase. It takes away the need to charge and concerns around how and when to do this. This considered, when you look at what your travel needs are, an electric vehicle could be the most suitable and sustainable option in the long term, even if it feels like a big jump at first.

Electric vehicles are cheaper to run, they're cleaner and quieter, and the charging infrastructure is better than you might think. Plus, electric vehicles have come a long way in a very short space of time meaning you might be surprised just how well the benefits stack up for a fully electric journey. Whatever you decide or indeed if you need to talk through your options, our specialist team are on hand to help you find the best solution for your lifestyle and budget.

Electric Cars

Petrol and diesel have been the primary fuel for cars since forever. We’re used to them and perhaps out of necessity many of us cling to them. But there is an alternative now in electric, which offers a ‘full tank’ from as little as £2 at a charging station and zero emissions so your detriment on the environment is nil.

Electric cars have an electric motor driving the wheels with power provided by a battery pack you charge. The driving experience is unique: power is available from any rpm and the powertrain itself is near silent. To brake, you can just let off the throttle and most electric cars will coast to a stop. It’s all very clever and futuristic.

Plug-in Hybrid Cars

While electric cars are incredible to drive, many will find themselves hamstrung by the necessity to charge and charge often. Enter the plug-in hybrid, which combines a petrol engine with an electric motor and battery pack, allowing you to drive in EV mode and call on the petrol engine to extend range when you need it.

Around town, you will drive in full electric mode but if you put your foot down or go above a certain speed the petrol engine will kick in. This will recharge the batteries to a point and give you the range of a normal car -- over 300-miles. If you do mostly short journeys, having a plug-in hybrid could save you a fortune in fuel costs.

Hybrid Cars

If you like the sound of extended range and an electric drive but don’t want to have to plug-in, you’ll want a hybrid. A hybrid car has an electric motor, a battery pack and a petrol engine which is the main power source. Because the engine charges the batteries, you don’t need to plug-in which is much more convenient.

Hybrids use more than one source of propulsion but have a lower all-electric range than plug-ins because they have a smaller battery pack. This means hybrids call into action their petrol engine more often than plug-ins. However, in normal use, they are still more efficient than petrol-only cars and don’t need charging, ever.