With so many types of vehicles available to purchase these days, it can be hard to keep on top of all of your options, let alone know what’s best for your needs. That’s why we’ve put together this guide which explores standard, hybrid and electric vehicles, so you can have a better idea of what’s available, and which will be best for you.
Standard Vehicles (ICE)
Standard vehicles, also known as Internal Combustion Vehicles, or ICE for short, are the type you’ve known and loved for years. They’re powered purely by the fuel you put in them, and require standard maintenance such as regular servicing, keeping an eye on your fluid levels and replacing parts as recommended by the manufacturer and/or needed.
Arguably still the most common choice for cars in Australia, standard vehicles are popular for their reliability, the amount of options available (there are plenty of new, demo and used ICE vehicles), and the fact that they tend to be cheaper than their hybrid or electric counterparts.
Hybrid Vehicles
Hybrid vehicles combine the convenience of a standard vehicle, with the planet and budget assisting power of an electric vehicle. Essentially, this means you get the best of both worlds.
Although there are multiple types of hybrid vehicle, all options can be filled up at the pump and work to lower fuel consumption, with their electric motor working in collaboration with an ICE engine to power your vehicle. Hybrids also deliver the immediate power to the wheels that electric vehicles are renowned for, so if that’s something you’re looking for, it’s definitely worth upgrading.
Hybrid vehicles do tend to cost more than their standard counterparts, but the money you will save on fuel over the life of the vehicle helps to counteract this, so it comes down to what your priorities are as to whether the standard or hybrid version of a car is better for your needs right now.
Mild Hybrids
Mild hybrid cars charge themselves with regenerative braking while you drive and their electric component is designed to support your ICE engine. This means that the hybrid component of your vehicle mainly focuses on delivering when accelerating and powering accessories in the vehicle rather than running the car off the electric motor.
An example of this is RAM’s 1500 collection, which is available at our Casey RAM and Peninsula RAM dealerships.
Hybrids (HEV)
Full hybrid vehicles use both the ICE engine and the electric motor to run. They charge themselves using regenerative braking and the electric motor is capable of running the vehicle for short periods of time. This is where you’ll best see the increase in fuel efficiency that hybrid vehicles are known for, although it should be noted that different vehicles will have their hybrid system kick in at different times, so if you’re looking to enhance efficiency in particular scenarios, you should discuss this with your Sales Consultant to ensure you’re getting the right hybrid for your needs.
Examples of HEVs include variants of the majority of GWM’s range, various models at Lilydale Hyundai and the Compass E-Hybrid at Frankston Jeep.
Plug-In Hybrids (PHEV)
Plug-In Hybrids are more closely related to electric vehicles than the other varieties listed here. Although they still have an ICE engine and charge themselves with regenerative braking, they can also be plugged in and charged like an EV. This gives them greater electric range and further reduces your fuel consumption.
Examples of this include Ford’s new Ranger Plug In Hybrid Ranger, Jeep’s Grand Cherokee Summit 4XE and Compass 4XE, and Hyundai’s Tucson and Santa Fe plug-in variants.
Electric Vehicles (EV)
Fully electric vehicles do not have an ICE engine, they are powered entirely by their electric motor and are considered green as they do not burn any fossil fuel in order to run.
You must charge your EV in order for it to function, and it is important to ensure you have enough range before leaving home, as you cannot just pop into a service station. Charging times vary by vehicle, and you will be best off getting a home charger for your vehicle if you choose to purchase an EV. While public charging stations are available, these do tend to come at a cost, so this should be considered when choosing how to charge.
Examples of this type of system include various Hyundais, the Mustang MACH-E which is available at Freeway Ford, Jeep’s Avenger, and GWM’s Ora EV which can be purchased at Lilydale GWM and Peninsula GWM.
Finding the right type of vehicle for your needs is vital to getting the most value and enjoyment out of your new car. Each type of car offers its own advantages, so it really comes down to figuring out what’s best for your lifestyle. Our friendly, knowledgeable teams are happy to help with this, so come say hi at one of our hubs in Cranbourne, Frankston, Lilydale or Mornington and they’ll ensure you drive away with the right car for your needs.
