What should I buy: an EV, a hybrid, or a plug-in hybrid?
20 May, 2024
To EV or not to EV, that is the question. Drivers are turning to low and zero emissions vehicles for two basic reasons: they are cheaper to run and emit less harmful greenhouse gases.
Whether they be battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), new car sales in Australia show these different types of electrified vehicles are growing in popularity
In 2023, hybrid vehicles accounted for 8.4 per cent of new car sales, and battery electric vehicles made up 7.5 per cent of sales. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) were not as popular, making up just 0.01 per cent of sales.
And more Australians are considering going electric or hybrid than ever before. According to 2023 data from Roy Morgan1, 44 per cent of people intending to buy a new car in the next four years will buy an EV (14 per cent) or a hybrid (30 per cent), up from 38 per cent a year before.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are a relatively new technology to most drivers in Australia. While Tesla, Nissan and Mitsubishi started selling EVs here over a decade ago, it’s taken longer for them to get a foothold because of concerns about how far they could drive on a single charge, and how many places there were to charge them.
Price has also been an issue. Because BEVs need larger batteries to drive further on a single charge, they also cost a lot more. People are also concerned whether EV batteries are really that sustainable.
But these barriers to uptake of BEVs are changing. The Australian government is now investing heavily in charging infrastructure, working with organisations like the NRMA to roll out EV charging networks.
The price of BEVs is also coming down – and fast. Only a few years ago, buying a new BEV for under $50,000 was unheard of. Now, there are several BEVs available for under $40,000, thanks to a new vanguard of Chinese brands intent on claiming a piece of the EV pie in Australia.
Also, carmakers are dropping prices of EVs in Australia. For example, Tesla electric cars are now at an all-time low, carmakers like BYD and Peugeot are offering substantial discounts, while MG and Great Wall Motors have slashed EV prices with driveaway pricing deals.
The price of BEVs is also coming down – and fast.
Hybrids have been selling in Australia for almost two decades - most people would be familiar with the Toyota Prius.
Today there are hybrid versions of many well-known car models, from top-selling carmakers like Toyota, premium brands like Porsche and Mercedes-Benz and even luxury marques such as Bentley and McLaren.
These electrified cars use a battery and an internal combustion engine (ICE) to power the car.
They’re generally cheaper than BEVs and have become an attractive option for those wanting the convenience of a quick fill up at the bowser, plus the certainty of range when out on the road. However, they must use petrol or diesel to keep running, and thus still contribute to carbon emissions and costing more to run.
Plug-in hybrids are a step between hybrids and BEVs. They have a battery that is larger than the battery in a HEV, and smaller than the battery in a BEV, and are therefore typically priced between the two.
They have a petrol tank as well as a battery, and by plugging in can be driven on all-electric power for short distances. However, they must be plugged in regularly if they are to meet their stated emissions ratings, lest they gobble up the fuel in the tank.
Even when they are regularly charged, reports show that PHEVs use much more fuel than claimed, causing European clean transport lobby group Transport & Environment to dub them a “dangerous distraction”.
So, which is right for you? Going all in on a BEV can be a big step for many, and opting for a hybrid or PHEV might appear less daunting.
Let’s look at how BEVs, PHEVs HEVs compare on price and ownership, and how they stack up when it comes to environmental considerations.
Price and ownership considerations
|
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) |
Plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) |
Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) |
|
|
Driving Range |
Pros: Modern BEVs offer plenty of ranges suitable for most daily needs, driving 300-600km on a single charge under the WLTP standard. Cons: While the NRMA is rolling out a national EV charging network, road trips to areas with sparse charging infrastructure remain a challenge for the short term. |
Pros: Has short electric-only range (typically 60-90km) and can drive further distances using fossil fuels. Cons: To get the most out of the electric-only range, its small battery must be recharged regularly. |
Pros: Combines petrol and electric power to offer extended range. Cons: Still relies on petrol, which adds to carbon and air pollution, and is subject to fluctuation of fuel prices. Can only drive on all-electric power at low speeds and for very short distances (e.g. 2km). |
|
Purchase and running costs |
Pros: BEVs have lower running costs due to fewer moving parts and cheaper electricity compared to petrol. For example, Kia’s service plan for the Niro EV is $1351 for five years and $1997 for seven years. Battery costs and therefore purchase prices are decreasing and are offset by lower running costs. Cons: BEVs are more expensive to buy than hybrid counterparts. Tesla EVs have no set service schedule, so you must remember to service certain parts, eg window wipers, air filter. |
Pros: Cheaper than its all-electric counterpart. Use less fuel than similar ICE and HEV vehicles, if charged regularly. Cons: More expensive to buy than a HEV, and fuel costs can easily blow out if the battery is not recharged regularly. More expensive to service than BEVs. For example, Kia’s service plan for the Niro PHEV is $2320 for five years and $3499 for seven years. |
Pros: Use less fuel than similar ICE vehicles. Cheaper to buy than its all-electric and PHEV counterparts. The lithium-ion battery in a HEV is smaller and does not cost as much to replace as for a PHEV or BEV. Cons: Fuel costs rise as the battery state of health depletes. More expensive to service than BEVs. For example, Kia’s service plan for the Niro HEV is $2320 for five years and $3499 for seven years. |
|
Battery replacement |
Pros: Battery warranties are typically for eight years/160,000km. By the time the warranty runs out, battery replacement costs are expected to reduce significantly. Cons: Potential cost of battery replacement can be $15,000-$35,000, although data shows this is rarely required as EV batteries last so long. |
Pros: Battery warranties are typically for eight years/160,000km. Replacement batteries are cheaper than for BEVs – around $2000-3000 outside of warranty. Cons: Batteries go through more recharge/discharge cycles faster and may need replacing sooner compared to BEVs. |
Pros: Battery warranties are typically for eight years/160,000km. Replacement batteries are cheaper than for BEVs – around $2000-3000 outside of warranty. Cons: Batteries go through more recharge/discharge cycles faster and may need replacing sooner compared to BEVs. |
|
Time to charge or refuel / Charger accessibility |
Pros: You can take time for a coffee, read a book, do the groceries or even shop while your EV charges. You can even sleep if charging at home! Cons: If you don’t have a driveway or garage you may need to rely on public charging infrastructure to charge an EV. |
Pros: Fuelling doesn’t take as long, and if you can charge it regularly you don’t need to fill the tank often at all. Cons: You must stand by the vehicle while filling the fuel tank, breathing in gas fumes. If you don’t have a driveway or garage you may need to rely on public charging infrastructure to charge an EV. |
Pros: Fuelling doesn’t take as long as charging a BEV. Cons: You must stand by the vehicle while filling the fuel tank, breathing in gas fumes. |
Environmental considerations
|
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) |
Plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) |
Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) |
|
|
Energy efficiency |
Pros: All-electric drivetrains are the most efficient, using up to 77% of the energy2 from the battery to make it move thanks to regenerative braking. They are most efficient in traffic. Cons: BEVs use more energy on highways than in traffic because there is less braking. |
Pros: PHEVs can run on a more efficient all-electric drivetrain for short distances (see left.) Cons: As they have larger batteries than a hybrid, PHEVs weigh more, so they use more fuel. Multiple reports show that PHEVs are far less efficient3 than lab tests claim. |
Pros: Hybrids use less fuel in urban traffic than on the highway. Cons: Most of the energy used in a hybrid is lost as heat - only about 21-40% of energy4 from fuel is used to make a hybrid move. Hybrids use more fuel on highways. |
|
Tailpipe emissions (Source for all figures is from the National Transport Commission5) |
Average emissions intensity: 0 |
Average emissions intensity: 43g/km (MA and MC+NA combined) |
Average emissions intensity: 102g/km (MA) 130g/km (MC+NA) |
|
Lifecycle Emissions (includes vehicle, battery, fuel/electricity production, and end of life recycling. Source: EVC Lifecycle Calculator6) |
Pros: Lifecycle emissions are offset after a few year’s worth of driving, and improves as grid transitions to more renewable sources of energy. Cons: EVs have higher manufacturing emissions than ICE. |
Pros: Fewer manufacturing emissions thanks to smaller battery. Cons: Must continue releasing carbon into atmosphere for lifetime of the vehicle. |
Pros: Fewer manufacturing emissions thanks to smaller battery. Cons: Must continue releasing carbon into atmosphere for lifetime of the vehicle. |
|
Recyclability |
Pros: All the materials in a lithium-ion battery can be recycled. Cons: Because EV batteries last so long, it will take some time to scale the battery recycling industry. |
Pros: Smaller battery to be recycled. Cons: Fossil fuels cannot be recycled. Once they’ve been burnt, they are gone forever. |
Pros: Smaller battery to be recycled. Cons: Fossil fuels cannot be recycled. Once they’ve been burnt, they are gone forever. |
|
Fuel Security |
Pros: Unlimited source of emissions-free power when using renewables. By using electricity for transport, we reduce our need for reliance on petrol and diesel from overseas sources. Even when electricity is made using coal or a diesel generator, an EV uses the energy more efficiently. Cons: For as long as the grid is still powered by coal, EVs rely on fossil fuels. |
Pros: From an environmental perspective there are no positives to using fossil fuels. Unlimited source of emissions-free power when using renewables and electric-only driving. Cons: Plug-in hybrids need fuel in the tank for when the battery runs low, and therefore rely on a steady source of petrol or diesel from overseas to keep running. |
Pros: From an environmental perspective there are no positives to using fossil fuels. Cons: Hybrids must use fuel to drive, and therefore rely on a steady source of petrol or diesel from overseas to keep running. |
Sources:
- Electric vehicle intention soars December 2023 | Roy Morgan
- Where the Energy Goes: Electric Cars | FuelEconomy.gov
- Are PHEVs and hybrid cars achieving their fuel efficiency claims? | Consumer NZ
- Where the Energy Goes: Hybrids | FuelEconomy.gov
- Carbon Dioxide Emissions Intensity for New Australian Light Vehicles 2022 | NTC
- Comparing the lifecycle emissions of Australian cars | EVC
