Find out which better suits your needs: a hybrid or electric vehicle

You’ve chosen to take out a car loan to purchase a vehicle that will both save you money and protect the environment. The next decision you need to make is whether to purchase a hybrid or electric vehicle. We can help you with this.

We spoke with Nemanja Simić, Head of Sales at Hyundai Serbia. He provided us with some useful information that will help you choose the type of vehicle you wish to purchase. Take a few minutes out of your day to read this interview and you will certainly then be able to decide which type of vehicle best suits your needs - hybrid or electric. 

What is the main difference between HVs and EVs? 

Both categories have the same objective, which is to reduce gas emissions, in that HVs are the first step in the process of full electrification. These cars are propelled by an internal combustion motor, which is assisted by an electric motor, thereby reducing CO2 emissions. For this reason, hybrid vehicles can only run on their electric motors for a limited amount of time. During acceleration the internal combustion motor is automatically activated to provide necessary additional power.  Hybrids don’t need to be plugged in to an external source of electricity in order to refill their batteries, rather, they complete this process automatically while in motion, during deceleration and braking.  But, there are also vehicles called ‘plug-in hybrids’, which also use electricity to recharge.

The difference between hybrids and electric vehicles, is that the latter’s engine is fully electric.  The electric motors in these vehicles are much more powerful, with a much higher battery-life. The main feature of EVs is that they are zero-emission vehicles, that is, they don’t pollute the environment.  Another important difference is that EVs have to be plugged in to an external source of electricity to recharge.

Which of these two types of vehicles provide greater driving autonomy?

Hybrids provide greater autonomy, they include an internal combustion motor as well as an electric motor. But the technical development of EVs will ensure that autonomy levels off in future.

Which of these vehicles is better for city, and which for country driving?

EVs are better for city driving, expenses are drastically lower, while hybrids are more suitable for long trips because of the insufficiently developed e-charger infrastructure.  . 

Neither can be considered small investments. Regardless, one must certainly be more affordable?

If we’re talking price, hybrids are more affordable. However, if we take the cost of ownership and use into account, EVs can actually be the more affordable choice, depending on milage, due to lower driving and maintenance costs. 

Are there any legislative and tax benefits available for these types of vehicles?

The Government of the Republic of Serbia has adopted a Decree on Subsidising Eco Automobiles so that buyers have a subsidy in the amount of €2,500 available to them for the purchase of a HV, €3,000 for plug-in hybrids and €5,000 for the purchase of EVs. In addition to these subsidies, owners of EVs, HVs and plug-in HVs are exempt from paying taxes on the use of a motor vehicle.

What advice would you give a future hybrid or EV driver?

I would advise hybrid drivers to be a bit more careful when accelerating, so that their vehicles remain in electric drive for longer periods and thus produce fewer emissions of harmful gases, and I would advise EV drivers to always recharge their batteries when they return home.  This way they will pay less to recharge their batteries while driving, and will have enough energy to travel longer distances.

In conclusion, we have prepared a few bits of useful information for all current and future drivers of these types of vehicles. ProCredit Bank offers you a Car Loan at a low interest rate for Hyundai hybrids and EVs. When you purchase one of these vehicles, you are also entitled to a government subsidy between €2,500 and €5,000.

Thanks to the expansion of our network of e-chargers, which took place at the start of the year when we installed new chargers at 42 locations in Serbia and 212 across the region, you now have the option of making longer trips that will cost you much less, given that the use of our e-charging stations is free for everyone.