Hybrid cars are more popular than ever in 2022. With the UK looking to be more eco-friendly and the petrol diesel ban coming in 2030, more drivers are turning their heads to hybrid and electric cars. Hybrid cars are a great way to help reduce your carbon footprint and reduce the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere. Pollutants like CO2 and other emissions speed up the rate of global warming and have a damaging effect on both human and environmental health. Whilst hybrid cars are much more eco-friendly than other fuel sources, there are some common misconceptions around used hybrid finance and if they are more cost effective than petrol or diesel. The guide below has been designed to look at hybrid cars in more detail and if they are cheaper to buy and run in 2022.
How do hybrid cars work?
Hybrid cars are one that use two means of propulsion. Usually, a petrol or diesel engine is paired with a small electric motor to move the vehicle. The electric motor is powered by rechargeable batteries. Depending on the type of hybrid you choose, this can either be done by plugging the car into the mains or through regenerative braking. Hybrid cars aren’t as ‘green’ as fully electric, but the petrol engine tends to be smaller which means less emissions are released into the environment.
Types of hybrid cars available UK:
When it comes to getting a hybrid car, you have a number of choices. There is a full hybrid, mild hybrid and also a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) to choose from and you could be suited to one type of vehicle over others. A full hybrid can run independently on both its combustion engine and electric motor which is recharged through regenerative braking. A mild hybrid can also use regenerative braking, but the electric motor can’t be used independently and is instead used to assist the combustion engine. A PHEV hybrid can use its electric motor on its own and usually has a larger battery than full or mild hybrids which can be recharged at home or at a designed charging point.
Are hybrid cars cheaper to run?
Whether a hybrid car is cheaper to run can depend on the type of hybrid you choose and also where you drive it. Both mild and hybrid vehicles can be the most cost effective when used in urban areas as the regenerative braking is powered by stop/start technology. Plug in hybrids however tend to have larger batteries which means they can use their electric motor for longer. It can be more beneficial to use hybrid cars for short journeys or travelling with the electric range each day to help keep costs low. If you cover many miles each day or usually use your car for motorway driving, a full electric with a long range or a diesel car may be more suited.
Are hybrid cars cheaper to purchase?
Unfortunately, due to the complex technology involved, hybrid alternatives are usually more expensive to buy outright but more affordable than full EVs. If you wanted to spread the cost though you could consider a car finance deal to make it more affordable. There are certain criteria you need to meet before you are accepted for a finance deal and finance is never guaranteed. You could use a free car finance calculator UK to see how much you could borrow and shop for new or second-hand hybrid cars within your budget.
Are hybrid cars cheaper to refuel?
Hybrid cars have lower fuel consumption than a petrol or diesel alternative because electric motor helps to maximise fuel efficiency. This helps to make it cheaper to refuel your vehicle and requires fewer trips to the fuel station. Also, its considerably cheaper to recharge an electric motor than it is to refuel a petrol or diesel engine. This means if you have a plug-in hybrid with an electric range sufficient enough for your daily commute, you can benefit from a full EV when the vehicle is recharged each night.