Buying a Hybrid vs. a Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle

Are you looking to save money on fuel costs? You might want to consider a hybrid vehicle.

First, let's define a hybrid. Hybrid vehicles use a combination of an electric motor and an internal combustion, or gasoline, engine. These motor/engines trade off delivering power as needed to provide the best fuel economy possible. 

Conventional hybrids use the gasoline-fueled engine to charge modestly-sized batteries while you drive, with no need to plug them in. These hybrids will deliver substantially better fuel economy in city stop-and-go driving. However, not so much if you are highway driving all the time.

Plug-In Hybrids, or PHEVs, come with larger batteries and can be charged via a standard 120V household outlet or a 240V charging unit. The ability to charge the batteries provides for driving with full electric power without burning any fuel. For those who want to do something good for the environment, want to fill up less often, or just find driving full electric a novelty, the additional costs may be worth it for you.

Ford now offers the Escape with the Hybrid or the Plug-In Hybrid Escape options in the popular compact SUV. There are also incentives available to help offset the additional cost of a Plug-In Hybrid that you can qualify for.