Both GM and Nissan have plans to introduce electric cars by the end of the year, but its unclear which approach car buyers will ultimately favor.

While the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf are usually mentioned in the same breath, both cars actually have radically different philosophies when it comes to driving.

The Volt is an electric hybrid, with both a 40-mile range electric motor and traditional gas engine. After the motor’s 40 mile limit has been reached, the gas engine kicks in, ensuring that drivers can continue as long as they have gas.

The Leaf, on the other hand, can actually claim to be a purely electric vehicle, and one of the first to be mass marketed. It’s also about $7,000 cheaper than the Volt and offers the attractive possibility of never touching a gas pump again. In addition, its battery pack squeezes out 100 miles of power when fully charged. However, once the charge is gone, that’s it – it needs to be plugged in before it can go again – and charging takes much longer than filling a tank of gas, essentially meaning drivers will be stranded after 100 miles with no charge.

So how should car buyers decide? The best way might be to wait until both cars hit the used car market. By then, consumers will know all the pros and cons and will be able to purchase a used Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt at a reduced price.