Which EV is Right for Me?

There’s been a lot of buzz around electric and hybrid vehicles now for a while, but which should you choose? Worry not, this blog post will talk about the differences between electric, hybrid, and plug in hybrids, and help you decide which would be the best for you!

If you’re wondering, “Why Kia?” it’s because you’re on a Kia website! But beyond that, Kia knows electric vehicles and they have the trophies to prove it. In 2024, their 2024 EV9 earned two titles, being crowned the “World Car of the Year” and the “World Electric Vehicle” by the World Car Awards. And it didn’t stop there, with their EV3 being named the “World Car of the Year” in 2025. They know how to make a great EV, and the industry agrees.

Kia offers three main types of EV, the full electric vehicle, a plug-in hybrid, and a hybrid.

Their fully electric vehicles are all electric all the time, with zero tailpipe emissions. Their EV batteries have hundreds of miles of range, and many of their electric cars average over 300 miles of range in one charge. Kia’s innovations mean charging is a breeze. One of their newest cars, the 2026 EV9, can charge from 10-80% in under 30 minutes, so you’ll be back on your way in no time. Don’t worry about running out of battery on the road, as Kia’s EVs are equipped with several features to keep track of and manage your range. If you do happen to run out of juice while driving though, Kia’s 24-hour Roadside Assistance is available to take you and your car to the nearest charging station. It shouldn’t be a long ride either. As EVs have become more popular, more charging stations have popped up. There are currently over 65,000 public charging locations in the US, and around 400 in Ohio.

This is good news for both electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Now you may be wondering what the difference is between a plug-in hybrid and a regular hybrid. I was too. Basically, it comes down to the battery. A hybrid uses a gasoline engine and an electric motor, but its battery doesn’t need to be charged. Instead, it charges itself through regenerative braking and the gas engine. A plug-in hybrid, however, has a larger battery that can be charged, in addition to the engine and electric motor. This allows you to drive using only electricity for a certain number of miles, before returning to hybrid mode. So, it is a hybrid that has the ability to be an electric car for periods of time.

Now that we know the differences between the three, let’s look at which one is right for you. If you’re highly environmentally conscious and drive longer distances, an electric car is likely your best option. While it might be more expensive up front, it will save you on maintenance costs, as there are fewer things to fix or replace. A plug-in hybrid would be more effective if you have a place to charge overnight and plan on driving short distances. Great for saving gas when city driving or on quick errands. A hybrid is great for any scenario, but particularly for long distances. They can be swapped for a gas car in about every scenario.

If you’d like to try out an EV for yourself, stop by our showroom and let us help you find your next car!