What is the difference between hybrid and electric cars ?

all-season tires

The difference between hybrid and electric cars is that hybrid cars are propelled by a combination of a gasoline-powered engine and an electric motor, whereas electric cars derive all their power from an electric source. An electric car is considered a completely non-polluting zero-emission vehicle. So which one is better? Well the truth is they both have their pros and cons.


Hybrid cars are propelled by a combination of gasoline-powered and electric motors where this technologically advanced system uses computerized controls to enable hybrid vehicles to continually switch between gasoline and electric engines, along with maintaining battery charge along with many other complex tasks. This makes hybrid cars more flexible with a longer driving range than electric cars, as they do not need to be plugged in. The con is that it is still relying on gasoline and is thereby less green.

Electric cars rely 100 percent on an electric source and are thereby completely non-polluting and is considered a zero-emissions vehicle. The con is that it has a lower driving range and needs to be plugged in.

The choice of tires is important in both hybrid and electric cars, as tires with low rolling resistance decrease the amount of energy needed for each journey, thereby allowing both hybrid and electric cars to go further. In general, all-season tires are a good choice as they generally have low rolling resistance. Most hybrid and electric cars come equipped with all-season tires from the factory and remain the best choice for hybrid and electric cars if living in an area with mild winters not requiring winter tires.

Tires like the Nokian eNTYRE 2.0 all-season tires have low rolling resistance and come recommended for both hybrid and electric cars by the manufacturer. The Nokian Tyres tire manufacturing company make tires to minimize rolling resistance, as four to eleven percent of a car’s fuel is used up providing the energy to propel the tires along the road (rolling resistance). Let’s face it: People who choose hybrid cars want to reduce unhealthy emissions and with hybrid cars releasing less dangerous greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, 90 percent less than traditional gasoline-powered cars while electric cars produce none. The choice of a low rolling resistance tire is still an important one for both owners of hybrid and electric cars.

For more information on choosing tires for hybrid cars, visit www.nokiantires.com