Hybrid vs Electric: Which one is the best choice for you?

By Chad Luckhoff

We look at the various types of hybrid drive as well as the benefits and detraction from switching to full electric, noting which provides the best economy, factoring in the purchase price and intended use.


The idea of electrification of vehicles is certainly not a new concept, in fact, the first production electric vehicle was released in 1884, a year before the Benz Patent-Motorwagen. It's been a buzz-word for several years now and virtually each and every motor manufacturer is working tirelessly to solve the issues surrounding the switch from the fossil-fueled internal combustion engine (ICE), to all-electric.

The benefits speak for themselves. Cleaner and quieter operation, fewer moving components, and smaller power units mean that cabin space can be improved while the external dimensions remain largely unchanged (or can be made smaller) and of course, excellent economy.

Admittedly, there are a few drawbacks as well. There's the weight associated with heavy battery packs and battery solutions, lengthy charging times and naturally, range anxiety – the fear of getting stuck without power alongside the road, caused by the inadequate electric range. Then there's the cost; we're in the stage now where the research and development bill needs to be paid.

While these are factors that need to be considered and weighed, the other is whether to dive straight into full electric motoring or to adopt hybrid motoring, the solution that bridges the gap.

Let's look at the three most common systems in play at the moment and see which one will work best for you.


Series Hybrid
Example: Toyota Prius, Toyota Auris, Lexus CT200h

The series hybrid was for many, the first foray into electric power in a motor vehicle. That's right, the Toyota Prius is probably the most popular example of a series hybrid.

In a series hybrid, two powertrains are employed to serve the same purpose. An internal combustion engine is used in conjunction with an electric motor to power the vehicle. In low-speed coasting situations, the electric motor provides the drive required to keep the vehicle in motion. Under heavier acceleration or higher speeds, the internal combustion engine takes over and does the work, usually charging up the batteries for the electric motor at the same time.

Is a series hybrid for me?

A series hybrid (also known as a parallel hybrid) is great if you're worried about the range of an electric car. Because there's no external charging required, all you have to do is make sure there's fuel in the tank and you're good to go. Great for those of us who drive longer distances to and from work or regularly head out of town. The series hybrid works well for shorter trips in traffic and off the highway where the speeds are usually fairly low.

Steer clear of the series hybrid if you're after super-low consumption figures. While the series hybrid can return great fuel consumption figures, if most of your driving is on the highway, you will return figures similar to that of a good diesel offering.

Series hybrids also benefit from the lowest price point of the three systems we're listing here. The technology has been around for longer and the vehicles are generally aimed at the urban commuter. Remember, a series hybrid will still require servicing at regular intervals.


Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
Example: BMW i8, BMW X5 xDrive40e, Range Rover Sport P400e, Volvo XC90 T8

The PHEV marries the two opposite ends of the spectrum but works in a similar fashion to a series hybrid. In a PHEV the vehicle is fitted with both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, both of which power the wheels to propel the vehicle.

The key difference between the PHEV and the Series hybrid is that you're able to go further and faster on electric power alone. The motor still gets its charge from a bank of batteries and while the combustion engine can help charge these batteries, its main source of charging is external in that it needs to be plugged in to charge fully. Owners can either opt to charge at home with a wall socket, wall unit or a selection of public charging points.

Most will have three settings for you to choose from, depending on your mood. A full electric mode will allow you to drive as if the vehicle is a full EV (Electric Vehicle), on batteries alone. Usually, the top speed will be limited and your range will vary from a few kilometres to 40-50 km depending on the charge in the batteries. When the batteries are depleted, the vehicle will revert into Auto mode.

Auto mode leaves the vehicle to decide when to use electricity and when to use the internal combustion engine. Similar to the series hybrid, slow speeds, coasting and bumper-to-bumper traffic will result in the electric motor being used with the vehicle switching over to the petrol/diesel engine when the speeds increase or when accelerating briskly.

The third mode is a Sport or Fuel mode. This will have the vehicle behaving just like a regular car, using its fuel of choice to feed the internal combustion engine. This mode also serves to charge up the batteries.

Our tests of the BMW i8 saw us drive in Sport mode for a few minutes during which the batteries were charged up. We then switched to full EV mode and drove the rest of the way on the charge that we had generated in the previous Sport mode kilometres.

PHEV is one of the more common forms of hybrid drive in South Africa with many manufacturers offering something in their range that ticks this box.

Read about the Lexus ES 300h here.

Is PHEV for me?

The great news is, PHEV is for everyone, provided you can afford it. Unfortunately, the technology is still ripe and most manufacturers are only opting for PHEV in their higher-end models (locally at least). This means that you'll need to fork over a fair deal in order to be able to benefit from the cost savings that a PHEV provides.

The PHEV is an all-rounder that allows for both urban and city commuting as well as long-distance travel, thanks to the internal combustion engine. No need to worry about running out of charge as long as there's fuel in your tank.

For those looking to switch to full electric in the future, a PHEV gets the ball rolling and introduces you to the concept of charging a vehicle and the benefits that can come from electric car ownership.

Performance junkies will appreciate the low centre of gravity provided by the batteries and the electric 'boost' that helps these vehicles perform as well as any sports car.


Full Electric
Example: BMW i3, Jaguar I-Pace, Nissan Leaf

While still in its infancy in South Africa, more and more consumers are warming to the idea that an electric car is a feasible solution to their transport needs. The technology in this area is growing at a rapid rate and each and every year strides are made to improve the execution of electric power.

Unlike the two former options above, an EV has no internal combustion engine to drive the wheels. The vehicle relies solely on electric power and battery charge to drive the electric motor(s) that move the vehicle. As a result, EV needs to be plugged in to charge the batteries. An exception to this rule is the BMW i3 Rex which has an internal combustion engine onboard to charge the batteries and extend the range, but this engine does not power the drive wheels.

The range varies between make and model with some offering only 130-odd kilometres while others are managing over 500 km on a single charge (dependent on driving style and traffic conditions). This resulted in what is known as range anxiety – the fear that your electric car won't be able to get you home.

Range anxiety is compounded by the lack of public charging infrastructure and inconsistent power delivery from the national power provider. Despite this, electric vehicles still provide the cheapest option of the three with Rands-per-kilometer travelled coming in at as little as a quarter of the price of the internal combustion.

Is Full EV for me?

A full EV solution largely depends on how much range you can afford. The cheaper options, such as the BMW i3 and Nissan Leaf, will only allow you 100-odd km on a single charge but the likes of the Jaguar I-Pace that retails for over R1.5mil will allow you to do over 400 km on a single charge.

Deciding whether an EV is for you or not will largely depend on your regular driving routes and habits. A BMW i3 will manage the commute in and around the town and city but jaunts to other cities may prove difficult (although some owners manage the Johannesburg-Pretoria-Johannesburg trip on a daily basis). For this, the Jaguar I-Pace provides a solution, offering a similar range to internal combustion vehicles.

Charging times vary from 20-minute quick charges at dedicated quick charge stations to slightly longer 40-minute stints for 80% capacity and 6+ hours for full charges using a typical domestic charging solution. Should you not be able to afford this amount of downtime between charges, a PHEV is possibly a better bet.

What about holidays to the coast then? Jaguar has installed a number of public charging stations along the major arterials with the most notable being in Harrismith between Johannesburg and Durban. These charging stations will provide sufficient charge to get you to your destination.

It's not all bad though and EV provides a level of comfort that is difficult to compete with. Silent operation means you glide along without the thrum of an internal combustion engine. Servicing is less frequent and the running costs considerably lower. The added benefit is that you're doing your bit for the environment.

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