Hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or fully electric?
Three kinds of “electrified” car, three different trade-offs. The right one depends mostly on two things: whether you can plug in at home, and how far you drive in a day.
The three types
- HybridA gas car with a small battery that helps the engine and recharges itself. It never plugs in (a Prius, or today's Camry).All terms → (Prius, RAV4 Hybrid): a gas car with a small battery that recharges itself. You never plug it in. It just uses less gas.
- Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)A battery you plug in for roughly 20–50 electric miles, then a gas engine takes over. Saves money only if you actually plug it in.All terms → (RAV4 Prime, Tucson Plug-in): a bigger battery you charge at home, good for about 40 miles on electricity (median of the models we list), then it runs as a hybrid. Two drivetrains, so two sets of upkeep.
- Fully electric (BEV)Runs only on a battery you charge by plugging in. No gas engine, no gas tank, no oil changes.All terms → (Model Y, Equinox EV): battery only. No gas, no oil changes, cheapest per mile — but long trips need charging stops.
What 100 miles costs
Averaged over a WV year, winter included. Gas at $3.45/gal.
100 miles costs about $14.35 in a 25-mpg gas car, $9.32 in a hybrid, $5.15 on electricity at home, and $19.07 at a fast charger.
Gas car (25 mpg)$14.35
Hybrid (40 mpg)$9.32
Electric miles, charged at home$5.15
Electric miles, fast charger$19.07
A plug-in hybrid costs the electric rate for miles on battery and the hybrid rate after. WV also charges an annual fee: $200 for an EV, $100 for a plug-in hybrid, nothing for a regular hybrid.
Which one fits you
- Can't plug in at home? A regular hybrid is usually the best money-saver. Plug-ins lose most of their advantage if you rely on public charging.
- Can plug in, and most days are under 40 miles, but you drive long rural trips often? A plug-in hybrid runs your daily driving on electricity with no range worries.
- Can plug in, and your longest regular drive fits a car's winter range? A fully electric car costs the least to run and maintain.
- Two cars in the driveway? Many households pair one EV for daily driving with a gas or hybrid car for the long trips.
The household planner tries each option against your actual week and trips.