Petrol vs Hybrid cars – Which should you get?

Making a choice between two great options is never easy, and while it may seem like a no-brainer for some, it can also be challenging having to weigh several factors. For petrol and hybrid cars, each have their own assets and liabilities, namely the difference in fuel consumption, cost, and performance. To help your decision-making, here’s an overview of the pros and cons of petrol and hybrid cars.

Which is better for the environment?

With green driving being all the rage these days, we have to talk about sustainability. Most cars on the road in Singapore are Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) cars. ICE vehicles use their engines to combust enough fuel and release gases like Sulphur Oxides and Hydrocarbons, which are particularly harmful for the environment. Moreover, cars with petrol engines produce the highest amount of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas which induces global warming. Hybrid vehicles, on the other hand, are equipped with electric motors that can be engineered to emit less harmful gasses.

Which car is more affordable?

Suffice to say that a hybrid car isn’t the cheaper option between the two – and in Singapore, a hybrid vehicle can cost up to $140,000 for the car alone. However, thanks to the government’s enhanced incentives and schemes for electric vehicles, you can expect road tax reduction and early adopted incentive if you’re planning to purchase a hybrid or electric car. As for petrol cars, they tend to incur a larger amount of maintenance costs as the internal combustion engine needs frequent repairs and checks for it to be functional and safe for the road.

Which option has a better range and performance?

Need a car that can travel the extra mile or two? A hybrid car is the one. As compared to petrol cars, hybrid vehicles are more efficient in mileage due to their lighter weight and smaller petrol engines. Thus, this gives hybrid cars the edge when it comes to range.

For performance, hybrid cars offer more power modes; from eco to power, which enables drivers to take control of the driving conditions and efficiency, and according to their liking.

As you discover more about the differences between petrol and hybrid cars, it’s a good time to also learn the latest information regarding the ownership of electric vehicles in Singapore. See article: ‘Incentives of owning an electric vehicle in Singapore’.