Hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars are playing a vital role in the shift towards more fuel efficient, greener vehicles, but what are they and should you be driving one? This new blog from the team at Motor Source Group answers those questions and more…
What is a hybrid car?
A hybrid car, simply put, combines a fuel, usually petrol, engine with at least one electric motor that uses energy stored in batteries.
Sometimes the electric motor does all the work, and sometimes it is the petrol engine, other times they work together, giving you better fuel economy and less harmful emissions into the environment.
There are different options when considering a hybrid, so let’s have a look at these individually:
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
A plug-in hybrid means that the battery can be plugged in and charges from an electric outlet such as an at home charge point public charge point.
Plug-in hybrids can travel further using only electric power than conventional hybrids, although not as pure as electric cars.
For example, most PHEVs have an electric-only range of around 30-miles, some of course do have more, such as the Lexus NX which has an electric-only range of 40 miles.
This electric-only range means that if you have a journey of around 30 miles you’ll be able to drive a PHEV on electric-only power most of the time when charged, saving you money on refuelling.
Should you need to drive further on a longer journey, that’s no problem – the petrol engine will kick in and can be refuelled as needed, just like a traditional, fuel-powered car.
Self-charging hybrid
A self-charging hybrid cannot be plugged in to recharge. Instead, energy is created through the engine or brakes and the battery charges whilst you drive.
If you don’t have off-street parking or access to a charging point at home or work, a self-charging hybrid could be a good option.
Are hybrids cheaper to run?
One of the main benefits of driving a hybrid car is the greater fuel economy, with hybrids using up to 30% less fuel per mile than a traditional fuel-powered one, meaning you will be able to save money on your fuel costs.
If you live in a city, have regular access to charging facilities and most of your journeys are less than 30 miles, a plug-in hybrid could cut your fuel costs even further as much of your driving will be done using electricity only.
However, be aware that when their batteries run out of electricity on longer journeys PHEVs essentially become heavy petrol cars that will return poor fuel efficiency.
This means if you spend a lot of time on the road, particularly driving at high speeds, a hybrid may not be the right choice for you and it could be cheaper and more energy efficient to choose a clean diesel or petrol engine instead.
Are hybrid cars reliable?
Hybrid cars are just as reliable, if not even more so, than a traditional fuel-powered car. Because the petrol engine doesn’t run when you’re driving slowly there’s actually less wear and tear on the engine.
Can I get a discount on a hybrid car?
Yes! Our Motor Source Group new car programme for serving and retired emergency services personnel includes all hybrid and electric vehicles.
Most manufacturers now offer a good range of hybrid cars and these are all included in our programme for you to choose from.
Browse cars available and see how much you can save at: https://www.motorsourcegroup.com/