Hybrid vs Electric: what’s the difference and which is right for you?
Long gone are the days of simply choosing between a petrol or diesel car – there's now a growing list of fuel types that can leave you overwhelmed.
board tech you’ll have to use.
But if you struggle to understand the difference between hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric cars, making the switch can be a bit of a headache.
So, what is the difference between a plug-in hybrid and a hybrid, and how are these different to an electric car? Get all the answers you need from CarSupermarket.com’s experts and find out which could be best for you.
What is a hybrid car?
Hybrid cars run using two different power sources – a petrol or diesel internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric motor.
You don’t plug in a hybrid car to charge it, so you’ll only need to put in petrol or diesel to keep one running.
Manufacturers tend to offer their standard petrol or diesel models as a hybrid option. The Hyundai I20, Ford Puma, and Toyota Yaris are all examples of cars that have a hybrid variation.
How do hybrid cars work?
Most hybrid cars can be powered in three different ways – only by the engine, only by the electric motor, or by both at the same time. These are known as parallel electric cars.
The electric motor is usually used when you’re setting off slowly or driving at low speeds, with the engine taking over once you’re moving faster, or accelerating hard.
The electricity for the motor comes from regenerative braking, which is when the energy generated from braking is stored in the battery for later use.
Series hybrids work in the same way, but once you get up to speed, the engine switches on to drive a second generator, turning petrol or diesel into electric power. This means the power going to the wheels is always electric.
In mild hybrids, the engine is the primary power source, and they can’t run using only the electric motor. Instead, the electric motor supports the engine to improve performance and efficiency.
Should I buy a hybrid car?
Hybrid cars are great if you make a lot of short trips, as you can rely on the electric motor for setting off and driving at low speeds.
In petrol or diesel cars, these short trips, particularly when you’re stopping and starting a lot, aren’t great for fuel efficiency. By switching to a hybrid, you’ll likely be saving money on fuel.
Hybrids also provide a smoother driving experience thanks to the electric assistance – you'll notice this most when you’re setting off and braking.
The other advantage of hybrid cars is that you get the benefit of electric power without having to use home or public charging stations – ideal as the UK improves charging infrastructure.
If you’re one of the few people who don’t live near a public charging station and can’t get one installed at home, you might be better off going for a hybrid.
What is a plug-in hybrid?
Plug-in hybrids, also known as PHEVs, run using both an electric motor and a petrol or diesel engine – but as you’ve probably guessed, you charge them by plugging in.
The bonus you get is that plug-in hybrids can usually drive 20-60 miles using only battery power.
Nowadays, manufacturers regularly offer plug-in hybrid variations of their standard models – you can get popular models like the Mercedes A Class, BMW 3 Series, and Volvo XC40 as plug-in hybrids.
How do plug-in hybrids work?
Plugging in means you’ll have more electric power to play with than standard hybrids.
Most plug-in hybrids have the option to manually switch between power modes, so you can choose whether to drive using the engine or the electric motor. However, the most efficient way is to let the clever tech take charge and work out when is best to use the electric motor or the engine. Most of the time, you won’t even notice the switch.
Some plug-in hybrids can drive up to motorway speeds using the electric motor while others might need a helping hand from the engine.
Do plug-in hybrids self-charge?
Plug-in hybrids still self-charge like regular hybrids, storing energy from braking for later use.
In some plug-in hybrids, you can also choose to charge the batteries using the engine while you’re driving – but this will have a significant impact on fuel economy, so it should only be used as a last resort.
Should I buy a plug-in hybrid?
Plug-in hybrids are a great bridge between electric cars and hybrid cars.
Because of the added tech, you’ll typically pay more for a plug-in hybrid than a standard hybrid, but less than you would for an electric car.
The major benefit of a plug-in hybrid is the phenomenal fuel economy you’ll enjoy. If you don’t drive too far each day, you can rely on electric power to keep you going. You’ll barely use any petrol or diesel, so you’ll only have to pay a small amount to charge up at home overnight.
Even if you’re doing a longer journey, you’ll see much better fuel efficiency than in a standard hybrid or petrol or diesel car thanks to the assistance from the electric motor.
You also won’t need to worry about finding public charging stations on your route, as you can drive with engine power if needs be.
What is an electric car?
An electric car is powered only by an electric motor, which is charged using an external power source – they don’t require any petrol or diesel.
Electric cars can be charged using a home charger – which some people can get a grant for – or using one of the many chargers on the public charging network.
You’ll see more and more electric cars on the roads today, and the likes of the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, and Hyundai Ioniq 5 are fast becoming iconic models.
How do electric cars work?
Electric cars (EVs) have a large, rechargeable battery pack instead of an engine. This battery feeds power to one or more electric motors, which drive the wheels.
Electric cars drive like automatics, as there’s no gearbox or clutch pedal – just a brake and an accelerator. Like hybrids and plug-in hybrids, EVs gather a small amount of charge from regenerative braking.
How far you can drive before you need to recharge at a charging point is known as the range, and this varies depending on which make and model you go for. As battery tech advances, ranges are getting longer and longer.
Most modern EVs have a range of around 200 miles, while long-range models can do over 300 miles on a single charge. Things like the car’s age and cold weather can affect range, but there are steps you can take to protect it.
You can use fast public chargers to recharge as quickly as possible, with some able to charge your EV to 80% in less than half an hour.
The most cost-effective way to charge is to use a home charger, which can top up your electric car overnight. This can take around eight hours but will be a fraction of the cost of a public fast charger.
Should I buy an electric car?
There are a few things to consider before going electric, but the latest technology and improving public charging network makes switching much more attractive than in the past.
In an electric car, you’ll have the excitement of instant power, with rapid acceleration that only high-performance petrol or diesel cars can match. Despite this, electric cars offer incredible comfort – particularly because they’re almost silent. You’ll also have a huge selection of modern on-board equipment.
Before going all electric though, it’s important to weigh up how far you typically drive. While most people will rarely drive far enough in a day to completely drain the battery, some might need to do longer journeys more regularly. If this is the case, you’ll need to make sure there’s public chargers on your route or at your workplace, for example.
The other thing to weigh up is whether you can install a charger at your home. In most cases, this won’t be an issue. But if you don’t have off-street parking, you’ll need to rely more heavily on public chargers.
The price of electric cars is obviously a key consideration too, as they’re generally more expensive than petrol, diesel, hybrid, or plug-in hybrid alternatives. But if you go for a used EV, you’ll pay a lot less, and it’s important to remember that running costs are normally much lower.
Electric car owners will pay the lowest first-year rate of road tax from April 2025, and you’ll also pay the lowest rate of Benefit in Kind (BiK) tax if you lease an electric car on a salary sacrifice scheme.
Here’s what CarSupermarket.com think….
Browse CarSupermarket.com’s full range of used electric cars, or get in touch with our experts if you need any further information on the differences between hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric cars, and which is right for you.
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