Should your next car be a hybrid one?

It’s expected that hybrid and electric cars will soon outnumber their petrol or diesel competitors in the coming years. Also, with the petrol diesel ban coming in 2030, more drivers than ever are opting for an eco-friendlier vehicle in recent years. If you don’t know much about how hybrid cars work and what it’s like really living with one, you’ve came to the right place! The guide below explores the benefits and drawbacks of owning a hybrid car and whether one will fit in with your current lifestyle.

A hybrid car is one that combines to means of propulsion, usually this is an electric motor and a petrol or diesel engine. Depending on the type of hybrid you choose the driver can benefit from 3 forms of power, the engine, the electric motor, or both! There are three types of hybrids that tend to be most popular in the UK. They are a full hybrid, mild hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). A PHEV has a bigger electric motor than full or mild hybrids which mean they have a bigger electric range. When the electric motor is flat, you can charge it by plugging it in to your mains at home if you have a charging point installed. Full and mild hybrids tend to have smaller electric motors and instead recharge the batteries through regenerative braking or through the engine.

For many people, the switch to a hybrid car will be an easy one. Not only do they have environmental benefits, but they can also help save you money when running your car. Let’s take a look at the ways in which a hybrid vehicle could enhance your life.

Ok we admit hybrids are not as environmentally friendly as buying an electric car, but they are better for the environment than a petrol or diesel alternative. Hybrids consume less fuel when they use their electric motor and petrol or diesel together. Less fuel used means less emissions released which help to slow the rate of climate change.

Adopting a hybrid lifestyle can help you save money due to lower running costs. Hybrid vehicles are extremely efficient and can reduce fuel consumption by 30%. This means you won’t have to spend as much on fuel costs. Charging a PHEV is much more cost efficient when compared to buying petrol or diesel for your car. 

Hybrid cars are usually more expensive to buy then petrol or diesel alternatives. However, they don’t depreciate as fast and higher resale values may help to offset the cost when you come to sell. Hybrid cars are becoming more popular too and with not many second-hand hybrids on the market, now could be a perfect time for you to get a hybrid car on finance and reap the benefits when it comes to selling it on.

Range anxiety is a term used to describe the fear that electric car drivers feel when they don’t think their electric range will get them to their destination. Hybrid cars can reduce the need for range anxiety as you refuel the petrol and diesel engine and don’t have to wait for charging tome. Self-charging hybrids can also charge the electric motor whilst you are driving so there’s no need to worry about the battery going flat!

There are so many positives to owning a hybrid vehicle we will admit that they may not fit into everyone lifestyles. Let’s take a look at the disadvantages you may need to consider before investing in a hybrid car.

One of the biggest factors that can put drivers off is the high purchase price of hybrids. Granted they aren’t as expensive as some new electric cars, but they can be more expensive than petrol or diesel cars. There are a number of hybrid finance deals if you want to help ease the cost though. If you’re unsure whether you could afford a hybrid, you could use a free car finance calculator to check how much you could be offered before you start applying.

Hybrid vehicles still use fuel as a form of propulsion which means they still emit emissions into the environment. Due to this, the sale of new hybrid cars will end in 2035. There are some concerns around this date being brought forward to 2030 alongside the petrol diesel ban too. If you want to invest in a brand-new hybrid, then we would suggest you act now. 

Hybrid cars have had many advancements in the past few years but usually they are always less powerful than a fuel powered vehicle. This is because both the electric engine and combustion engine will be smaller in order to use two means of propulsion. This can make hybrids better suited to city driving rather than long motorway journeys.

We think the answer to this question comes down to a few factors: your budget, your daily range, and your access to charging ports. Hybrid cars can be expensive to buy and there aren’t a lot of second-hand ones on the market so you will be looking to get a brand-new hybrid. One of the cheapest hybrid cars in the UK is the Toyota Yaris hybrids which starts from around £20,000 to buy. However, many hybrid drivers stress that the lower running costs can make it worthwhile.

Hybrid cars can be more suited to city driving rather than motorway journeys as they have less power. Two smaller components compared to one larger petrol or diesel engine will never produce the same amount of power. Hybrid cars may not be suited to those who want a fast and sporty vehicle. However, it is hoped that the next few years will see bigger advancements in the powertrain of hybrid vehicles.

When you buy a plug-in hybrid, you will also need somewhere to charge it. Having a charge point installed at your home can be the easiest way to charge your hybrid but it may not be suitable for all living circumstances, people who live in rented accommodation or have on street parking may be limited on electric charging ports. You would then have to rely on public charging points around you to recharge your vehicle.

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