Benefits of Hybrid Cars

As we move globally towards greener transportation, we’re seeing more and more manufacturers offering hybrid and electric models.

If you’re considering whether to make the switch, we’ve rounded up the top benefits of hybrid vehicles below. We’ve looked at the benefits of going fully electric separately as they’re slightly different.

There are 3 main types of hybrid available in the UK; plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), full hybrids (HEVs), sometimes known as self-charging hybrids, and mild hybrids (MHEVs).

PHEVs are hybrids that require you to charge the electric motor whereas full hybrids recharge their battery by capturing energy through regenerative braking and when appropriate are charged by the combustion engine as well. Both PHEVs and HEVs offer a fully electric range, though this varies between models.

MHEVs don't have an electric range, instead the hybrid technology in them supports the traditional combustion engine, giving additional power when accelerating or managing the stop-start technology. For more information on the differences between the 3 types of hybrid, take a look at our hybrid guide.

The benefits of each type of hybrid vary, so we’ve broken this guide down into sections; the benefits of PHEVs, the benefits of HEVs and the benefits of MHEVs.

Benefits of hybrid cars

There are some benefits that stay the same across the board, regardless of type:

• A hybrid uses less fuel than a vehicle without the electric component and so the cost of filling up can be a lot less.
• As hybrids use less fuel they also generally produce fewer emissions and so are better for the environment than a similar model with an internal combustion engine.
• Hybrids have a petrol or diesel engine as well as the electric motor so you don't have the charging concerns or range anxiety that you would with a fully electric car.
• Depending on specification, and how far a given hybrid can drive on pure electric power, a hybrid can offer you much lower benefit in kind (BIK) rates.
• Lower emissions also means lower road tax compared to a petrol or diesel equivalent.

Benefits of PHEVs

There are several reasons you might decide a PHEV is the best type of hybrid for you. PHEVs have the longest range using just their electric motor, and most offer between 20 and 30 miles before having to switch to the combustion engine. If you don't drive a great deal each day or can recharge at work and home, then you might find you are able to drive it simply using the electric motor.

This will be cheaper as the cost to charge is less than to fill up with fuel and better for the environment as the vehicle does not have any emissions in electric mode.

Benefits of HEVs

The main difference between an HEV and PHEV is that you don't need to plug it in and charge it. If you can't have a home charging unit installed or are concerned about being able to schedule charging at a convenient time and location, then a HEV could be the right choice.

Most still have a fully electric mode, though usually only for a shorter distance or at low speeds, which means they can still open the door to money-saving BIK rates and other tax benefits.

Benefits of MHEVs

Cars and vans with mild-hybrid technology are often the most similar to their petrol or diesel counterparts and so require the least psychological adjustment.

As the technology for MHEVs is easy and cheap to install to existing vehicle designs, this often translates into cheaper costs for you to purchase or lease them.

To find out more about hybrids in general, take a look at this helpful guide or discover more about going fully electric here. If you'd rather speak to someone on the phone then give us a call on 0330 221 0000 and one of our Leasing Consultants will be happy to help with any questions you have.