Hybrid or electric car: how to choose?

18 May 2025

May 18, 2025

How to choose between a hybrid and electric car? We offer this comparison between hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles such as the Cadillac Lyriq. With your Cadillac dealership, Cadillac Laval, close to Blainville, the West Island and Montreal, discover the pros and cons inherent to both types of vehicles.

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What is the difference between an electric, hybrid and plug-in hybrid car?

First and foremost, an electric car is equipped with one or several electric motors that are fed by a battery, of different sizes and power. A Cadillac electric car, for example, can be charged at home (residential charging station), or on a public charging station in the city or close to main roads.

As for a hybrid car, it is equipped with both a fuel engine and an electric motor. This is also the reason why we refer to it as a hybrid system. There are also plug-in hybrid vehicles that can be charged the same way as an electric vehicle and while driving as well.

Hybrid vehicles do not have to be plugged to a charging station, but plug-in hybrids do.

Electric cars: The pros and cons

Automobile manufacturers like Cadillac with its 100 % electric SUV, the Cadillac Lyriq and its specs, or the 2024 Celestiq sedan, or the Escalade IQ coming soon in 2025, have quickly identified the main advantages offered by electric vehicles.

Firstly, an electric vehicle is an environmentally conscious choice since this type of vehicle emits a lot less greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) than a combustion vehicle. Moreover, electricity (even more so in Quebec) costs less than fuel. So, the first advantage is one for the environment.

Secondly, maintenance on electric vehicles costs less than for fuel vehicles. For example, your brakes will last longer thanks to the regenerative braking system. The electric motor structure is less complex than a fuel engine or a hybrid vehicle. You also won’t need any oil changes, etc.

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Finally –and the most interesting advantage- is that leasing or purchasing an electric vehicle can give you access to government incentives that are more generous than for hybrid vehicles. The same is true when you choose to purchase and install a home charging station.

Inversely, a con would be that an electric car must be plugged in order to recover its range. You must also take into account the electric range, to know how many kilometers you will be able to drive before running out of battery power.

Automobile manufacturers, however, offer vehicles like the 2025 Cadillac Escalade electric with a generous electric range (724 km!). The Cadillac Lyriq also offers a range of over 500 km.

All in all, the main advantages of owning an electric car are more important than the disadvantages.

A hybrid car: The pros and cons

Among the main advantages of a hybrid car, let’s mention:

Lower fuel consumption
Regenerative braking charges the battery, which does not need to be plugged to a charging station
Costs for hybrid vehicle maintenance are reduced in the short term

On the other hand, this type of vehicle comes with these main disadvantages:

Hybrid vehicle dimensions are still limited, although many efforts are being made to offer larger hybrid vehicles

Hybrid vehicles are better suited to short commute

Hybrid vehicles are more expensive than fuel engine vehicles

Plug-in hybrid cars: The pros and cons

A plug-in hybrid car shares features in common with both electric cars and regular fuel engine cars. Here are the main advantages offered by this type of vehicle:

Low fuel consumption in the city
Sufficient range for urban commute
Combines the performance offered by an electric vehicle and a fuel engine vehicle within the same car
There are several plug-in hybrid vehicle options on the market

This type of vehicle does come with its own set of disadvantages:

High price range upon purchase
Complex architecture (fuel engine + electric motor)
More maintenance in the long term
On highways at high speeds, the electric motor is almost never used, which creates a higher demand on fuel

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What type of grants will you have access to for hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles in Quebec?

Hybrid or electric, it is important to take a closer look at government incentives if you want to have a clear picture of what types of grants to expect.

In Quebec, grants on new and fully electric vehicles reach $ 7,000, while for new plug-in hybrid vehicles they reach $ 5,000, $ 2,500 or $ 300, according to the electric battery capacity.

So, between an electric or hybrid car, provincial government incentives are more generous for a 100 % electric vehicle.

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Takeaway

When comparing hybrid vehicles with electric vehicles, it is clear to see that there are more advantages to purchasing an electric vehicle. Moreover, market trends distinctly show that fully electric vehicle models will be the vehicle of choice in the long term.

So, hybrid or electric? The answer is an easy one: electric!

Come and take a look at all of our Cadillac Canada vehicles at Cadillac Laval, your dealership in Laval, close to Blainville, the West Island and Montreal. A team of seasoned experts is waiting for you!