There is a large and varied range of electrified cars on the market, but they do not always adapt to the user’s needs.
There are two types of hybrid cars: mild hybrids and conventional hybrids. In the case of light ones, they are equipped with a small battery and a small electric motor that supports the main combustion engine when starting, but they do not allow moving forward in electric mode. However, they enjoy the DGT ECO label.
In the case of conventional hybrids, they have an electric motor and a larger capacity battery and are self-charging. They can travel hundreds of meters in electric mode and generate significant fuel savings, especially when driving mainly in urban areas. That is, they are an excellent option in the city.
By definition, plug-in hybrids (PHEV) are cars that combine a combustion engine with an electric one. Thanks to the electric motor they can travel for a good number of km with zero emissions. When the battery runs out, the vehicle operates completely normally thanks to the gasoline engine, thus guaranteeing long journeys without fear of recharging problems.
Some plug-in hybrid models exceed 100 km of 100% electric autonomy, a figure that more than covers the daily mileage of a large majority of users. Others, the majority, allow you to travel between 50 and 60 km with zero emissions, drastically reducing gasoline consumption and polluting emissions.
One of the advantages of these cars is the zero environmental label granted by the General Directorate of Traffic, which allows you to save on taxes, use BUS/HOV lanes, park for free in some cities or access low-emission areas during episodes of high pollution.
The drawbacks of this segment of cars are few, but they exist. Sophisticated technology has a price and enjoying a PHEV requires a significant financial outlay. Another argument that works against it is the weight: the presence of the additional motor and batteries forces you to drag more kilos.
The high cost of batteries and the enormous technological burden that accompanies them are the main factors that penalize the prices of 100% electric cars. There is government aid to encourage their purchase, but they are not achieving the objectives of increasing sales significantly. Electric vehicles do not emit any pollution, they benefit from the advantages offered by the DGT’s zero label and allow significant cost savings in consumption, thanks to the low cost of electricity in domestic loads.
Unfortunately, the disadvantages are also factors to take into account. Due to their high technology, they are expensive cars; there is still no necessary formula to produce electric cars at affordable prices. Another factor that needs to be improved is the shortage of public charging points, whose implementation is not growing at the necessary rate for the user to opt for this type of vehicle. Finally, the price of electricity – that is, per kW – is quite high when it comes to recharging the vehicle away from home.
There is still no significant implementation of hydrogen-powered cars, but this technology can play an important role in the future decarbonization of our society in the near future.
This is understood, for example, by Hyundai, whose goal is to apply hydrogen energy in all areas of life and industry. The Korean brand has committed to applying fuel cell propulsion systems in all its car models by 2028, using a new generation of fuel cells.