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Plug-in Hybrid Car
What is it?
- A plug-in hybrid combines a petrol or diesel engine with an electric motor powered by a battery, with the additional ability to plug the car into the mains to gain a longer electric-only driving range.
Benefits
- Plug-in hybrids are ideal for urban areas as they can run on electric-only power for possibly 15-30 miles, thereby reducing fuel consumption and emissions.
- The petrol or diesel engine provides power when the battery is depleted, so there’s no range limitation.
- The government’s Plug-in Car Grant enables motorists purchasing a qualifying ultra-low emission car to receive a grant of 25% towards the cost of the vehicle, up to a maximum of £5,000.
- Plug-in hybrids have low official emissions therefore exemption from road tax, and low company car tax rates.
- Most plug-in hybrids are exempt from the London Congestion Charge.
- Driving the plug-in hybrid in electric mode will save considerably on fuel costs.
Issues
- Plug-in hybrid technology generally means extra purchase cost but lower fuel costs than a petrol or diesel.
- You need to be able to plug the car in to the mains to recharge it. There is a Government grant available if you need to install a domestic charging point.
- Plug-in hybrids have very high official fuel economy figures (typically over 100 miles per gallon), but it’s very difficult to achieve such figures in real-life driving unless the car operates on electric power for a high proportion of the time, which can only happen with short driving cycles, when a pure EV is likely to be most suitable.
Is a plug-in hybrid ideal for your driving?
- Plug-in hybrids are ideal for driving in urban areas, where they can make the most of their electric zero-tailpipe emission capability, but they can also drive anywhere thanks to their petrol or diesel engines.
- Plug-in vehicles can also work very well in rural areas if a car is typically driven for around 20 miles between charges; the low fuel costs and the lower number of rural fuel stations can make them a good, financially-sound choice.
Read our Plug-in Hybrid Car Reviews
Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid
Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid
READ OUR EXTENDED-RANGE ELECTRIC VEHICLE REVIEWS
BMW i3
Vauxhall Ampera
