Should I buy a hybrid car? The no-nonsense answer

Unsure whether to get yourself a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV)? Explore the pros, cons and what your options are.



So, you're ready to buy a used car. You'll have no doubt noticed there's a lot of hype about hybrid cars in particular.

Hybrid cars, the argument goes, provide the best of both worlds. They're a stepping stone towards going fully electric, giving drivers improved fuel economy and lower emissions.

In a sense, it's an easy argument to make. Going electric is a big deal. Why wouldn't you dip your toe in before going the whole hog?

Well, the hybrid fans have a point – up to a point. Hybrid cars have plenty of advantages, but they're definitely not for everyone.

As with any decision like this, it all depends on one thing: you. Some people's driving lives and finances make hybrid cars the obvious choice. Others don't.

Here at Zoomo, we stock a range of hybrid cars. Could one of them be the right vehicle for you? Let's explore the factors you should take into account.

Different drivers, different cars

What kind of driver are you? Answering this question in detail is your best guide to whether you should buy a hybrid car.

Hybrid cars are great if you're a regular town driver and spend a lot of time stopping and starting. In this situation, regenerative braking can help you make meaningful savings.

A hybrid car could also be a solid investment if you plan to keep the car for several years. Without this long-term thinking, you may find yourself overspending.

Finally, you might want to go for a hybrid if you don't currently have – or can't foresee having – convenient home charging. 

For drivers who clock up fewer miles and spend most of their time on the motorway, hybrids help – but the savings are smaller. And for those who can charge at home, it makes more sense to go electric.



What are the advantages of hybrid cars?

There are four main advantages of hybrid cars:

1. They offer better fuel economy than their petrol counterparts.
2. They have lower emissions.
3. They're technologically reliable.
4. They provide a smooth, quiet driving experience in the city.
   
   

What are the disadvantages of hybrid cars?

The most obvious disadvantage of a hybrid car is its higher upfront price tag compared to a similar petrol model.

You may also end up spending more on repairs that fall outside your warranty. The counterpoint  is that hybrid batteries often last many years.

A more minor consideration is that boot space in a hybrid car can sometimes be on the small side. That's because of the space that the battery takes up.

Mild hybrid vs full hybrid vs plug-in: what are the differences?

When you start to dig into the subject of hybrid cars, you'll soon see there are different kinds:

• Mild hybrids (MHEVs)
• Full hybrids (FHEVs)
• Plug-ins (PHEVs)
  
  

Mild hybrids

A mild hybrid has a small electric motor and battery that assist the petrol or diesel engine. This setup can help the engine when accelerating, braking and restarting. It can't, however, power the car by itself.

Mild hybrids are best for drivers who want better fuel economy without significant changes to their driving habits.

Full hybrids

Full hybrids have a bigger battery and a more powerful electric motor. Drivers can use these to drive on electric power for short periods and can switch between petrol and electric. The battery recharges itself through a combination of the engine and regenerative braking.

These are the classic hybrid cars. They're best for driving in urban areas with plenty of stopping and starting.

Plug-in hybrids

Last but not least, there are plug-in hybrids. These have much bigger batteries that must be charged from external power sources.

Plug-in hybrids can drive long distances using only electricity. Petrol is used only once the battery is running low.

What are the typical running costs for a hybrid car?

There's a range of running costs to consider before committing to a hybrid car. These include fuel costs, servicing, insurance, vehicle tax and depreciation.

Fuel costs

With fuel costs, the differences are most apparent when you go full hybrid.

If fuel costs £1.45 per litre and you drive 10,000 miles a year, a petrol car averaging 45 miles per gallon will cost about £1,460 a year. However, a full hybrid averaging 60 miles per gallon will cost about £1,100 a year.

The running costs of plug-in hybrids depend on charging. A 12 kWh battery charged at 30p/kWh costs around £3.60 for a full charge. If that covers 40 miles of driving, you'll be paying about 9p a mile.

Servicing

On the whole, servicing for hybrid cars is similar to petrol cars. The main saving comes from the fact you'll be less likely to have to change your brake pads because of regenerative braking. It's also worth considering that hybrid batteries last many years.

Insurance

Insurance will mostly cost about the same as an equivalent petrol model. That said, plug-in hybrids can cost more to insure (because they're more expensive to repair) and your premium will differ from model to model.

Tax

Vehicle tax for a hybrid car in the UK is £200 per year from the second year onwards. This applies only if the vehicle was registered on or after April 1, 2017.

Depreciation

The largest ownership cost is often depreciation. However, reliable models tend to hold their value well. You can also reduce depreciation by buying a car that's between two and four years old.

How we can help

At Zoomo, we stock petrol hybrids and petrol plug-in hybrids as well as diesel, electric and petrol cars.

So, if you're looking for a used hybrid car for sale in Newcastle, why not take a look at our current stock? With flexible finance deals available – and a whopping 96% acceptance rate – a fresh set of wheels could be closer than you think.