Edmunds: The pros and cons of buying a hybrid vehicle or plug-in hybrid

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Edmunds: The pros and cons of buying a hybrid vehicle or plug-in hybrid

2024-08-14 23:51 Last Updated At：08-15 00:00

If you’re ready to move on from a purely gasoline-fueled vehicle but you’re not ready to go fully electric, you have two choices. You can get a hybrid or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. But which one is best? The experts at Edmunds will help you decide.

A hybrid electric vehicle has a gasoline engine, a small electric motor, and a small battery pack that work together to improve fuel economy, enhance performance, or both. The best-known hybrid is the Toyota Prius, but they come in all shapes and sizes. From compact cars to full-size pickup trucks, there is a hybrid for just about anyone.

Improves fuel economy while reducing emissions

Sometimes improves acceleration and overall performance

Often provides electric-only driving at low speeds for short distances

Usually doesn’t reduce passenger or cargo space

Never needs to be plugged in

Small increase in price, if any

Reduced fueling costs

Cannot travel long distances solely on electricity

Cannot travel at higher speeds only on electricity

Overall, a hybrid electric vehicle is a great choice for anyone who wants better fuel economy, reduced emissions, and lower operating costs without any extra hassle or change in their daily routine. Hybrids are more commonly available than ever, and some automakers are rolling out new models only with hybrid powertrains. For example, every version of the 2025 Toyota Camry is a hybrid, and Honda offers certain versions of the Accord, Civic and CR-V only with hybrid power. Hybrid versions of many other popular models, such as the Kia Sportage and Hyundai Tucson SUVs, are also available.

A plug-in hybrid vehicle, often abbreviated as PHEV, is a hybrid that offers electric-only driving for a short range and can then be plugged in to recharge. They have a gasoline engine like a hybrid does, but thanks to a larger and more powerful electric motor and battery pack, they can travel at a wider range of speeds in electric mode, for many miles at a time. When the battery charge gets low, the gas engine turns on to continue the trip. You can recharge a plug-in hybrid using a household electrical outlet or a home or public charging station.

Electric-only driving for commuting, taking the kids to school, running errands, etc.

Gas-only driving for longer trips

Can charge the battery overnight using a household-style outlet or in a few hours using a more powerful charging station

The gas engine automatically takes over to power the vehicle when the battery charge is low

Can dramatically improve fuel economy, acceleration, and overall performance while reducing operating costs

Certain models may qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500

May qualify for carpool lane access in certain states with only a driver aboard

A plug-in typically costs substantially more than a hybrid or gas-only vehicle

Plugging in each night can seem like a hassle

The larger electric motor and battery may reduce passenger or cargo space

The added weight of plug-in hybrid components can negatively affect the ride and handling

If you don’t make a habit of plugging in, it may be less efficient than a hybrid

Plug-in hybrids are perfect for people who want an electric vehicle but worry about driving range, public EV charging infrastructure, and the costs of installing a home charging station. They’re easy to recharge overnight, usually offer enough electric range for typical daily driving, and have a gas engine that eliminates the range anxiety common with driving an EV.

For example, you can drive a plug-in hybrid from Manhattan to Santa Monica and never plug it in. Or when you’re not taking a longer trip, you can plug a plug-in hybrid in every night and hardly burn any gas in everyday driving, especially if you choose a model with a generous electric-only range.

In short, a plug-in hybrid represents the best of both worlds, a perfect bridge from the gasoline past to the electric future. Examples of plug-in hybrids highly rated by Edmunds include the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid, Toyota Prius Prime and Volvo XC60 Recharge.

Choosing between a hybrid vehicle and a plug-in hybrid vehicle comes down to three things. First, do you want the ability to drive only on electricity? Second, are you willing to pay more for a vehicle in order to get that? Third, are you willing to put up with some extra hassle to maximize electric-only driving?

If your answers to those questions are “no” and your only goal is to save money at the fuel pump, we recommend a hybrid. But if you want to eliminate as much gasoline use as possible without diving into the deep end of the electric vehicle ownership pool, a plug-in hybrid is perfect.

This story was provided to The Associated Press by the automotive website Edmunds.

Christian Wardlaw is a contributor at Edmunds.

South Korea's Constitutional Court is set to rule on the impeachment of Yoon

2025-04-04 08:15 Last Updated At：08:21

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s Constitutional Court is set to rule on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday, either removing him from office or restoring his powers four months after the conservative leader threw the country into turmoil with an ill-fated declaration of martial law.

The court was scheduled to issue a verdict on Yoon in a nationally televised session set to begin at 11 a.m. (0200 GMT). At least six of its eight justices must vote to remove Yoon for the impeachment to be upheld.

If the court orders Yoon removed, a national election will be held within two months to find a new president. If the court rules for the president, he will immediately return to presidential duties.

Yoon’s declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 lasted only six hours before he was forced to lift it after the liberal opposition-controlled legislature quickly managed to vote it down. Later in December, the assembly impeached Yoon, suspending his powers and sending his case to the Constitutional Court. Yoon is facing a separate criminal trial for alleged rebellion.

Whatever Friday’s verdict is, experts predict it will further deepen domestic divides. In the past four months, millions have taken to the streets to denounce or support Yoon, deepening South Korea's already severe conservative-liberal division.

Facing worries that violence could erupt following the ruling, police deployed thousands of officers on Thursday and placed police buses, rolled-up fences and plastic barricades to seal off streets leading up to the court. The military said it plans to heighten its own surveillance posture.

Thousands of rival protesters continued their rallies, making their final appeals to the court to uphold or reject Yoon’s impeachment.

“For four months, we have been exhausted and worn down, but our anger toward Yoon Suk Yeol remains strong,” protester Kim Mi-ok shouted during an anti-Yoon rally.

Earlier in the day, Yoon supporters rallied nearby, waving South Korean and U.S. flags and raising signs that read, “Fraudulent impeachment will surely be dismissed.” On stage, a protest leader repeatedly led chants of “Let's protect him!”

The most contentious issue at Yoon's impeachment trial was why he sent hundreds of troops and police officers to the National Assembly, election offices and other places after declaring martial law.

Although the period of martial law ended without violence, the impeachment motion accuses Yoon of violating the constitution and other laws by suppressing assembly activities, attempting to detain politicians and undermining peace across the country.

Yoon has said that his dispatch of soldiers to the assembly was meant to maintain order. He also said he imposed martial law in a desperate attempt to bring attention to the “wickedness” of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, which obstructed his agenda and impeached many of his top officials. But senior military and police officials who were sent to the assembly have testified that Yoon ordered them to detain rival politicians and prevent the assembly from voting.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the country’s acting leader, has repeatedly urged the rival sides to accept whatever ruling the court makes on Friday.

Shin Yoon-hye, 63, an office worker who attended anti-Yoon demonstrations three times, said she would rally against Yoon again if the court restores his presidential powers.

“If Yoon's impeachment is overturned, our country will plunge into the abyss,” she said. “Yoon tried to resolve things with force when he was politically driven into a corner. That was wrong. We are a democratic country and he should have pursued a political compromise.”