Hybrid Car vs. Electric Car: What's the Difference?
Read the comparison below, or explore it visually. Create a visual lesson comparing hybrid car and electric car using available credits or plan allowance.
A hybrid car combines a petrol (or diesel) engine with an electric motor and a battery, while a fully electric car has no engine and runs only on a battery charged from the electricity grid. Hybrids refuel at a pump and use the motor to save fuel; electric cars produce no tailpipe emissions but depend on charging points and battery range.
At a glance
| Hybrid Car | Electric Car | |
|---|---|---|
| Power source | Fuel engine plus electric motor | Electric motor only |
| Energy input | Petrol; plug-in hybrids also use mains power | Electricity from a charger or socket |
| Tailpipe emissions | Lower than a normal car, but not zero | None from the vehicle itself |
| Refuelling | A few minutes at a fuel pump | From under an hour to many hours charging |
| Battery size | Small; recharged by engine and braking | Large; sets the car's driving range |
Which should you use?
A hybrid suits drivers who make long trips where chargers are scarce but want better mileage, such as someone driving between Indian cities on highways with few charging stations.
An electric car suits drivers who can charge at home or work and mostly drive within the battery's range, such as daily city commuting with overnight charging.