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Hybrids

Pure hybrids, or sometimes just hybrids, are vehicles that run on both electric power and gas power. The thing that sets them apart from plug-in hybrids is that they don’t ever need to be charged with an external power source. Instead, their batteries charge themselves, using a combination of regenerative braking technology and the vehicle’s ICE design.

When you drive a pure hybrid vehicle, you reduce your emissions but don’t completely cut them out, and the same goes for how much you spend on gas. The fact that they still have a combustion engine and don’t need to be plugged in means they’re great for long road trips where you worry that you might not have access to a charging station.

Plug-In Hybrids

A plug-in hybrid also uses an electric power source in conjunction with gas power, but it needs to be plugged into an external power source to recharge its battery, and typically these vehicles place more of an emphasis on electric power.

Contrary to popular belief, an EV that needs to be plugged in, including pure electric, can be charged in a standard 110V outlet, just like the ones that are already installed in your home! You can optionally have a 240V outlet specially installed. This will make your home charging take up less time, but it’s not a necessary thing and shouldn’t be considered a barrier to ownership.

Many plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are designed with larger batteries than other hybrids to give them a longer electric-only range that helps them to do better on long drives. However, a plug-in vehicle is heavier because of this, which can affect the vehicle’s efficiency.

Pure Electric

Called either pure electric, all-electric, battery electric, or just electric, these types of vehicles don’t use any gas. They are recharged in 110V or 240V outlets just like PHEVs, or at public charging stations when you’re out on the road. Because pure electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular, public charging stations are starting to spring up in more places around the country.

Pure electric vehicles are zero-emissions. They’re known for being exceptionally quiet, very responsive, and having lower maintenance needs. When you drive a pure electric vehicle, you do have to be more cognizant about planning long trips and figuring out when and where to top off, the money saved on gas and maintenance is a huge draw for many drivers.

If you’re interested in learning more about electric vehicles or test driving an EV from our inventory, contact Clawson Truck Center here! You can also come visit us in person in Fresno, CA.