Benefits of Hybrid and Plug-In Electric Vehicles
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and all-electric vehicles (EVs) have many benefits compared with conventional vehicles: better fuel economy, lower emissions, lower fuel costs, increased energy security, and more fueling flexibility. Learn about the benefits of electric drive vehicles in the table below and take into account the considerations below the table.
| Benefits | Hybrid Electric Vehicles | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles | All-Electric Vehicles |
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Fuel Economy
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Better than similar conventional vehicles For example, the 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid gets 40 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 43 mpg on the highway compared to the conventional 2011 Civic—25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. This amounts to fuel savings of about 38% in the city and 19% on the highway. |
Better than similar HEVs and conventional vehicles PHEVs use about 40% to 60% less petroleum than conventional vehicles and permit driving at slow and high speeds using only electricity. Fuel economy advantages vary depending on how often the vehicle is driven on only electricity. |
No liquid fuels Fuel economy of all-electric vehicles is usually expressed as kilowatt hours per 100 miles (kWh/100 mi). A typical electric vehicle gets 32 kWh/100 mi in the city and 36 kWh/100 mi on the highway. |
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Emissions Reductions
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Lower emissions than similar conventional vehicles HEV emissions vary by vehicle and type of hybrid power system. HEVs are often used to offset fleet emissions to meet local air-quality improvement strategies and federal requirements. |
Lower emissions than HEVs and similar conventional vehicles PHEV emissions are projected to be lower than HEV emissions because PHEVs are driven on electricity some of the time. Most categories of emissions are lower for electricity generated from power plants than from engines running on gasoline or diesel. |
Zero emissions EV emissions do not come from the tailpipe, so EVs are considered zero-emission vehicles. However, emissions are produced from electric power plants. Most categories of emissions are lower for electricity generated from power plants than from engines running on gasoline or diesel. If electricity is generated from nonpolluting, renewable sources, there are no emissions. |
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Fuel Cost Savings
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Less expensive to run than a conventional vehicle Because of their improved fuel economy, HEVs usually cost $0.05 to $0.07 per mile in fuel to run compared to conventional vehicles, which cost $0.10 to $0.15 per mile in fuel to run. |
Less expensive to run than an HEV or conventional vehicle When running on electricity, a PHEV can cost $0.02 to $0.04 per mile in fuel (based on average U.S. electricity price). When running on gasoline, the same vehicle can cost $0.05 to $0.07 per mile in fuel compared to conventional vehicles, which cost $0.10 to $0.15 per mile to run. |
Less expensive to run than gasoline and diesel vehicles Because EVs only run on electricity, a typical electric vehicle costs $0.02 to $0.04 per mile for fuel (based on average U.S. electricity price). |
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Energy Security
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Reduce U.S. reliance on imported petroleum |
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HEVs use less petroleum because they have better fuel economy than conventional vehicles. Some HEVs use renewable and domestically produced alternative fuels instead of gasoline or diesel. |
PHEVs use electricity produced from coal, nuclear, natural gas, petroleum, or renewable sources. Some PHEVs use renewable and domestically produced alternative liquid fuels instead of gasoline or diesel. |
EVs use electricity produced domestically from coal, nuclear, natural gas, petroleum, or renewable sources. |
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Fueling Flexibility
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Can get fuel at gas stations or public alternative fueling sites |
Can get fuel at gas stations or charge at home or public charging stations |
Can charge at home or public charging stations |
Considerations
When comparing electric drive vehicles, consider the following factors.
Cost
HEVs are typically more expensive than similar conventional vehicles before tax credits or other incentives. The average incremental price—the additional price of an HEV over a comparative non-hybrid—was $3,500 for cars and $4,500 for light-duty trucks in 2007. This price is expected to drop to $1,500 for cars by 2015, according to a study by Argonne National Laboratory: The Cost of Vehicle Electrification: A Literature Review. Light-duty PHEVs and EVs that are nearing market availability are expected to be more expensive than similar conventional vehicles. However, the cost premiums for PHEVs and EVs can be offset by fuel cost savings, a federal tax credit, and state incentives.
For more information, see a cost-analysis study from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Cost-Benefit Analysis of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technology, which shows battery costs, fuel costs, vehicle performance attributes, and how driving habits greatly influence the relative value of PHEVs.
Infrastructure Development
Although PHEV and EV drivers can charge at home, public charging infrastructure is in development across the country. Private companies and municipalities are beginning to implement charging infrastructure to support rapid adoption of PHEVs and EVs. See a map of infrastructure deployment projects in the U.S. or search for electric charging stations near you.
Battery Recycling and Reuse
Battery recycling and reuse options are in development. Learn about recycling and reusing batteries.