Which Type of EV is for Me?

Hybrid electric vehicles were first introduced over 20 years ago, seamlessly blending gas power with electricity to maximize fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. HEVs all use a similar setup with minor variations. They consist of an internal combustion engine, most commonly one with a smaller displacement, and at least one electric drive motor. This drive motor is powered by a battery pack recharged by regenerative braking and the internal combustion engine. This battery is separate from the one used to start the vehicle and run the accessories. Hybrids rely mostly on electric power, disengaging the gas-powered engine while idling, coasting, or slowing down. In the instance of leaving a stop, driving up a hill, or merging on the highway, the gas engine will kick on to supplement additional power. On average, today's hybrids provide a driving range of up to 600 miles. Of course, this depends on the engine displacement and fuel tank capacity. Hybrid electric vehicles are popular among drivers who have longer commutes, as they provide a fuel-efficient alternative to gas-powered vehicles.

On the opposite end of the EV spectrum, you'll find battery electric vehicles, which are completely void of an internal combustion engine. Instead, BEVs run using one or more electric motors and a battery pack that is recharged by both regenerative braking and an EV charging cable connected to an external power source. By eliminating the gas engine, BEVs reduce fuel costs and tailpipe emissions to precisely zero. While charging an all-electric vehicle isn't free, electricity is still significantly cheaper than the price of gasoline. In fact, BEV owners have a reported savings of nearly $1,000 per year. Battery electric vehicles are typically chosen for drivers with shorter drives, as they don't have a gas engine to rely on if the battery is depleted. However, as EV technology progresses, driving ranges are getting longer. The Subaru Solterra, for example, offers an all-electric driving range of up to nearly 230 miles!

The final type of electric vehicle is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, or PHEV for short. PHEVs seamlessly bridge the gap between hybrid electric vehicles and battery-electric vehicles. While hybrids prioritize electric power while automatically kicking the gas engine on when needed, and BEVs only use electric power, PHEVs allow the driver to be in control of the usage. PHEVs consist of an internal combustion engine, one or more electric motors, and a battery pack similar to the ones found in BEVs, only slightly smaller. Many PHEVs come with drive modes that include gas-only, electric-only, and hybrid, which is typically the default setting. PHEVs bridge the gap between hybrids and all-electric vehicles because they still offer a gas engine as backup when the battery is depleted while offering an all-electric mode to eliminate tailpipe emissions and fuel consumption. Like hybrids, PHEVs are popular for all kinds of drivers, no matter their commute, as they provide plenty of range and the assurance of gas power in case the battery dies before reaching a charger.

Here at Reedman-Toll Subaru, we hope that this page has given you the insight into electric vehicles that you need in order to make the most educated decision on which is right for you. If you're interested in a new electric vehicle, you can find an array of 2024 Subaru Solterra models here and ready for your choosing. The Solterra is everything we love about Subaru with zero emissions! Head over to our new inventory to check out the new Solterra. We also invite you to use the contact form below this page to reach our sales team regarding EVs or our inventory. We look forward to hearing from you soon!