You may have heard the words “hybrid car” and “electric vehicle”, but not know what that meant specifically. Ultimately, hybrid and electric boil down to how the car itself is powered. A hybrid car is powered by an internal combustion engine (what normal cars have) and an electric motor. There are separate battery packs for both parts. An electric vehicle uses only a battery and electric motor to get the car moving. Both of these car options have lower environmental impacts than the internal combustion engine only cars, while they both differ in cost, driving range, maintenance, and recharging and refueling. So what is the best type of car for you?
Starting With Electric Cars:
In some states you are able to get money back if you purchase an electric car. There is federal tax credit for battery-electric, hydrogen fuel cell, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. This credit ranges from $2,500-$7,500. Clean vehicle Rebate Project provides rebates directly to purchasers and lessees of eligible electric vehicles. If you are in the low income category, you may be able to receive increased rebate amounts. Nowadays gas is expensive and one can only assume the price will go up. Driving an electric car will cut back severely on those costs. Most drivers will charge their cars overnight at home and wake up to a fully charged car. Since electric cars are becoming more popular, more public spaces have charging stations where you can also stop to charge your car. Everyone has been there, where you are driving and your car suddenly stopped working. Or you leave for work in the morning but the car won’t turn on. Electric motors in electric cars have fewer moving parts. They never require oil changes, new spark plugs, or fuel filters. All of this creates a lower maintenance cost for the owner and less to worry about. Lots of people find electric cars fun and engaging to drive. Acceleration is often quick; the motors produce peak torque from a standstill. The handling is said to be good and brands place battery packs in the center of most cars to lower the center of gravity to give improved corner turns and decrease the risk of rolling. Lastly, when owning an electric car, you will be contributing to cleaning up the planet. You will reduce the amount of greenhouse gasses put into the air and help preserve the planet for many more generations. In a fully electric mode, an electric car will produce zero tailpipe emissions. You can decrease the amount of money you spend on your transportation while helping the earth.
For hybrid cars, there are also high benefits. Hybrid technology will generally have a higher upfront cost, but the cost in fuel savings will even out over time. In 2015, Consumer Reports calculated that most hybrids took 8 years to pay for themselves through fuel savings. Today, because of the high gas prices and thousands of miles driven a year, the payback period is estimated at 4 years. Like fully electric cars, you can also save money on repairs and maintenance. A hybrid has regenerative brakes that wear the braking components down less compared to non-electric cars. And despite hybrid batteries being a big expense of around $8,000, they have a reputation for being very reliable. Inside the world of hybrid vehicles, there are plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Most hybrids don’t need to be plugged in, but there are some plug-in hybrid vehicles that can be charged and run mainly on electric power. Plug-in hybrids are an ideal car for drivers who take short trips and can make it on electric power, reserving the gas for longer trips. If you are someone who takes longer commutes, a plug-in car is probably not for you and you should stick to a regular hybrid.
Mazda currently has 1 Plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV). The 2024 Mazda CX-90 is a large three-row SUV. The CX-90 has a turbocharged 3.3-liter inline-six engine that will give either 280 or 340 horsepower. This car displays Mazda’s drive to be a luxury car. The CX-90 has more luxury and features than their other top of the line SUVs. There are multiple trims of the CX-90, the non-S trims reaching 280 horsepower and S trims getting 340 horsepower:
• Select
• Preferred
• Preferred Plus
• Premium
• S
• Premium Plus
• S Premium
• S Premium Plus
The S model comes with second row captain’s chairs, a 12-speaker Bose stereo system, interior ambient lighting, 21-inch wheels, panoramic sunroof, a hands-free power lift gate, and much more. All wheel drive is standard as well as an 8-speed automatic transmission. The EPA has rated the CX-90 for up to 24 mpg for city driving and 28 mpg on highway. The Mazda CX-90 can hold up to 8 passengers when the captain's chairs are taken out and replaced with a bench seat. There is a 10.3 or 12.3 inch infotainment display on the dashboard depending on the trim level. It is controlled via a click wheel on the center console. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard. Lower trims include a 7-inch digital gauge and an 8 speaker stereo system. The driver-assistance features are helpful and do their job to keep the passengers safe.
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Automated emergency braking
• Adaptive cruise control
• Lane keep assist
• Rear cross traffic alert
• Tire pressure monitoring system
• Lane departure warning system
• Driver attention alert
Technology is advancing and there are multiple options for cars now more than ever. Electric cars are a great way to save money and make a positive impact on the planet. The Mazda CX-90 is perfect for large families or groups. The interior of the cabin is cozy, comfortable, and decorated handsomely. The miles per gallon is acceptable and the size of the car makes it perfect for road-tripping. The CX-90 is an energy efficient car that will save you time and money. Come on down to Huntington Beach Mazda to find the CX-90 as well as test out some other Mazdas.