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Hybrids Are Glorified Gas Cars - Dead on Arrival In a Scaled Up EV Environment

A hybrid or PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicles) is simply a glorified gas car - and at the point EVs scale up and are the dominant vehicle, they are dead on arrival.
Hybrids Are Glorified Gas Cars - Dead on Arrival In a Scaled Up EV Environment

Summary - Why Hybrids Are Glorified Gas Cars

  • We take a look at one X user's comments on why hybrids are glorified gas cars.
  • We also discuss the difference between a hybrid, gas car, and EV.
  • We then discuss Tesla's need to educate and advertise better to show the differences and advantages that an EV has.
  • We conclude that an EV is far superior to a hybrid or gas car and that the future of transport is EV, regardless of how cold the weather is.

A debate seems to be brewing on X between hybrids and EVs, and that hybrids will be able to continue on for a long time and will be the saving grace of legacy auto companies. Two people involved in the debate are James Cat and Farzad. Let's look at their comments.

James Cat says this:

My thesis on long term EV market is changing. I used to think EVs would bankrupt legacy ICE and that there would be considerable consolidation in the market. I no longer expect this to happen. The reason for this change? Governments have pivoted to align EV incentives with PHEVs. Just look at the IRA for a good example. Canada, too, offers the same incentives for EV as for PHEV.

PHEVs are the legacy lifeline. And legacy auto brands are very good at advertising and education, something Tesla refuses to do. Since Tesla’s share of voice is non-existent, the consumer only hears one story. This will ultimately hurt Tesla longer term as the consumer increasingly chooses PHEV over ICE and EV.

And since Tesla is the only pure EV manufacturer with any size outside of China, it is unlikely to influence government policy when the balance of the industry (i.e. everyone else) is still building ICE. So what does this mean? More competition and more division of profits among industry players.

Another response, from TeslaBearBull said this:

You can buy a Prius for under 25K. Good luck buying an EV that cheap! And if the Gov actually gives hybrids a tax credit too, it’s game over.

Farzad responded with this:

Hybrids become more expensive as gas car sales go down. Hybrids are glorified gas cars.

Let's unpack these statements and summarize them:

The debate seems to be this: It's PHEV -vs- EV, and I think that most people would agree that the pure gas car's days are numbered. Gas is a finite and polluting resource.

Gas Cars, Hybrid Cars, and EVs

Gas Car:

  • A gas car, also known as an ICE (internal combustion engine) car, uses gas as fuel, stored in a gas tank.
  • Gas cars produce emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and other pollutants as a byproduct of the combustion process.
  • They need regular refueling at gas stations and have a limited range depending on their fuel efficiency and the size of their gas tank.

Hybrid Car:

  • A hybrid car combines both a gasoline engine and an electric motor to power the vehicle.
  • There are parallel and series hybrids.
  • Parallel hybrids can run the gas engine, electric motor, or both - with the electric motor used for low speeds
  • Series hybrids use the gas engine primarily and use that to charge the battery. The electric motor drives the wheels.
  • Hybrids are generally more fuel efficient than gas cars

Electric Vehicle (EV):

  • An electric vehicle, or EV, is powered entirely by electricity stored in a battery pack. It does not have an internal combustion engine.
  • EVs use an electric motor to drive the wheels, and the electricity comes from the battery, which needs to be recharged.
  • A PHEV (plugin-in hybrid electric vehicle) is a cross between a gas car and EV.
  • An EV is generally better for the environment over the long run due to using no gas or oil - especially when charging is done via renewable energy/battery storage.

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Conclusion - What Makes An EV Superior and a PHEV/Hybrid a Glorified Gas Car 

The primary advantages of an EV are:

  • You can easily charge at home with major convenience in refueling.
  • Charging is very inexpensive when done overnight at home. Even charging at a Tesla Supercharger is inexpensive when done during off hours (not 9AM to 6PM).
  • EVs have a much lower impact on the environment over their lifetime - especially when charging from renewable sources.
  • EVs generally have lower maintenance over the life of the vehicle due to simplicity and far fewer working parts.
  • EVs are much more energy efficient at utilizing the energy from their power source, around 80% to 85%, compared to around 12% to 30% for a gas car.
  • EVs benefit the most from advancement and cost reductions in batteries. Over time, EVs will be absurdly cheap.
  • EVs are quieter and easier to use.
  • EVs benefit from technological and software advancements, such as autonomous driving, faster and better charging infrastructure, and improve performance and range with battery improvements.
  • EVs are much more performant, providing instant torque.
  • EVs represent the only present viable long term solution, with gas being a finite resource.
  • Autonomous EVs will bring the lowest cost per mile of transport and when using renewable energy, the cleanest form of transport - easily.

With all these benefits, you'd think Tesla would be doing a much larger advertising and education program, but so far, Tesla has done this at a small scale. This is one area for Tesla to improve, regardless of all the free advertising it gets, like a Mr. Beast video. That free advertising doesn't come with much education about an EV.

The reason a PHEV/Hybrid is a glorified gas car is that it is trying to get the best of both worlds, but still includes all the complexities and pollution of a gas car while getting little benefit of a full EV battery and drive train.

A PHEV has an advantage in that the initial cost of them is lower than the average cost of an EV right now - and they will go further in cold weather - also right now, but over time, they too will become obsolete and relics like a gas car.

As technology improves and cost reductions happen in batteries, an EV will have the same range as a gas or PHEV in the cold while costing much less. A 200-mile range EV in 2030 will cost about $5,000. This cost will continue to decline beyond 2030.

Conclusion Summary:

  • Due to advancements in battery technology, EVs will win the race for most affordable car over time.
  • Gas cars, hybrids, and PHEVs will be relics and obsolete for two primary reasons: gas is a polluting and finite resource, and EVs have superior, clean technology, that will rapidly go down in cost over time while improving in capability.
  • Tesla needs to do a better drop educating and advertising the benefits of its EVs.
  • We agree with the assessment that hybrids are glorified gas cars.

In the short term (the next few years), a hybrid may make sense. Once Tesla releases their $25,000 (or less) compact car and the years continue to 2030 and beyond, anything other than an EV will not make sense at all.

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Do you agree with the assessment that hybrids are glorified gas cars?

Share this article with friends and family and on social media - or leave a comment below. You can view my most recent articles here for further reading. I am also on X/Twitter where I post more than just articles daily, as well as LinkedIn! Thank you so much for your support!

Hi! I'm Jeremy Noel Johnson, and I am a Tesla investor and supporter and own a 2022 Model 3 RWD EV and I don't have range anxiety :). I enjoy bringing you breaking Tesla news as well as anything about Tesla or other EV companies I can find, like Aptera. Other interests of mine are AI, Tesla Energy and the Tesla Bot! You can follow me on X.COM or LinkedIn to stay in touch and follow my Tesla and EV news coverage.

Image Credit: DALL-E AI

Article Reference: James Cat and Farzad on X

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