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Hybrid Cars Explained

A guide to hybrid vehicles

What is a hybrid car?

A hybrid vehicle is one that uses a combination of a traditional internal combustion engine and electric motors to power the vehicle.

With the government ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 approaching, many drivers looking for their next vehicle are considering a hybrid as a stepping stone towards a fully electric model before the ban, including hybrids, comes into place. This is because a hybrid offers some of the benefits and driving experience of an electric car, but where it includes a combustion engine, you don't get the charging and range concerns of a fully electric model.

Types of hybrid

There are a number of different types of hybrid systems used by car and van manufacturers but the 3 main types you’ll find in the UK are plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), full hybrids (HEVs, sometimes known as self-charging hybrids) and mild hybrids (MHEVs).

A PHEV requires you to charge the vehicle in order for the electric component to work and so when looking at which type of hybrid is best, you’ll need to consider how you'll charge a PHEV. We’ve got a more detailed section on charging below. Most PHEVs have a fully electric mode and then switch to the combustion engine when they reach the end of the electric mileage range.

The electric range on a PHEV is usually between 20 and 30 miles so if you only do short journeys and are regularly able to charge your vehicle then you could use a PHEV almost entirely on its electric range.

The battery in an HEV is charged when the vehicle is in use, by the combustion engine and through regenerative braking which captures released energy. This means that unlike a PHEV you won't need to factor in charging if you opt for an HEV. The fully electric range of an HEV is usually lower than a similar PHEV, allowing you to travel a short distance or only at lower speeds using the electric motor before switching to the combustion engine.

An MHEV is a type of hybrid that doesn't need charging like a PHEV and uses simpler and cheaper technology than a traditional HEV design. In an MHEV, the vehicle doesn't have a fully electric mode, instead it's designed to give the combustion engine a boost under heavy acceleration and from a standing start, as well as utilising stop-start technology. MHEVs don't save as much fuel as conventional hybrids, and because they don't have a fully electric mode they also don’t qualify for a lot of the incentives in place for electric vehicles.

As MHEV technology is easier and cheaper to integrate into a conventional vehicle design, this is often reflected in the price for you to lease or purchase. It also means that we're seeing a lot more new vehicles utilising this technology even if they aren’t available in a PHEV or HEV option.

If you want to see what hybrid and fully electric vehicles are available at the minute, take a look at our electric offers.

Charging a hybrid vehicle

If you opt for a PHEV, you’ll need to consider how you're going to charge the vehicle in order to get the best out of your car. There are different types of connectors for charging and these vary between vehicle models and power rating of the charging point. Most vehicles have a type 1 or type 2 connector for slow and fast charging and either a CHAdeMO or CCS for DC rapid charging.

Slow, fast and rapid are the 3 speeds of charging available on the UK’s charging network and you can find out more information on each of these on our guide to electric vehicles. 

The time it takes for a vehicle to charge can vary depending on the type of charging station, how much power the station can provide and how much power the vehicle can accept. When you’re considering a hybrid car, manufacturer documentation will include charging times or one of our Leasing Consultants will be able to advise, before you make any decisions.

An entire network of public chargers exist across the UK, at various locations including car parks at supermarkets, shopping centres and motorway service stations. Some Local Authorities are also placing public charging units on streets for residents to use where home charging units might not be possible.

You can take a look at all available chargers across the UK here on carwow’s interactive map.

Many electric and PHEV owners also explore having a charging unit installed at home for overnight charging. A home charging unit might not always be possible if the property doesn't have off-road parking or is a rented property and you don't have permission to install one.

Want to know more or arrange a home charging unit? Just give us a call on 0330 221 0000 and one of our Leasing Consultants will be happy to help.

Why choose a hybrid car?

There are a number of reasons you might choose a hybrid car, and these include:

  • They’re a greener alternative to a petrol or diesel vehicle without the adjustment and commitment needed for a fully electric model.
  • If you opt for an HEV you won't need to worry about charging the vehicle.
  • Hybrids produce fewer emissions than those with traditional combustion engines so are slightly better for the environment.
  • Unlike pure electric vehicles, you won't have range anxiety or the same worries about charging (once the electric battery runs out it switches to using the combustion engine).
  • There are some tax incentives including lower Benefit in Kind (BIK) rates due to lower CO2 emissions.

Is a hybrid right for you?

There are a number of factors you’ll need to consider when deciding if a hybrid car is the right choice for your next vehicle.

Although hybrids typically use less fuel they still require petrol or diesel so you’ll also need to consider your fuel consumption cost when budgeting for the vehicle.

If you opt for a PHEV then you'll need to consider how you'll charge it and if the considerations mentioned above will realistically fit with your lifestyle.

Servicing and maintenance for a hybrid will usually be more expensive than for a traditional combustion engine as there are the additional electric motor and components to consider. If you’re looking at leasing then you might want to add a maintenance package to reduce the financial impact. For more information take a look at our guide here.

The electric range on a hybrid is limited and most can only drive a short distance or at low speeds in electric mode before switching over to the combustion engine. So if you're looking for a company car and considering a hybrid because of the electric benefits, both  functional and financial, then you'll need to check and ensure the vehicle you choose meets your expectations.

If you want to discuss whether a hybrid vehicle is suitable for your next company car, then you can speak to one of our helpful Leasing Consultants on 0330 221 0000.

Hybrid or fully electric?

Many drivers look at a hybrid as a stepping stone to a fully electric vehicle. This is especially true for drivers looking at an HEV or vehicle that uses mild-hybrid technology as they are less of a lifestyle adjustment.

When deciding whether an electric or hybrid vehicle is the right choice, range concerns might come into play. One question we recommend you ask yourself is how many miles you drive on average each day.

When you look at this number compared to the electric range you can achieve with most PHEVs, you may find that a large portion, if not all, of your daily miles will be covered and the rest can be taken care of by the fuel in your tank when it switches over to the combustion engine.

If the range limitations and the time for charging of a fully electric vehicle are reasons you feel this isn't the right option for you then a hybrid which switches to the petrol or diesel engine once it’s battery is low could be a great choice.

A hybrid is also a good option if you don’t currently have the ability to install a home charging unit or are worried about finding time to charge the vehicle using public chargers, since you can opt for a HEV or MHEV.

Another consideration to take into account is the financial benefits such as lower BIK rates aren’t as high as on a fully electric vehicle.

If you want to find out more about the benefits of hybrid vehicles you can head to this guide  or if you’ve decided that you want to learn more about fully electric vehicles then take a look at our guide to electric vehicles or the benefits of electric vehicles. 

We’re happy to help with any questions you might have as well, and are always available to talk on 0330 221 0000.