Types of electric and hybrid cars

Discover the differences between fully electric and hybrid cars.

 

Your guide to electric and hybrid vehicles

There are many types of zero or low emission cars, with different technologies. 2 of the most popular types are electric cars and hybrid cars. Here's a quick summary of these to help you decide which suits you. 

Electric vehicles at a glance

Electric vehicles (EV) or battery electric vehicles (BEV) are powered by battery, not by petrol or diesel. You can recharge one by plugging it into a home-installed or public charging point. 

Electric vehicle ranges

EV ranges tend to be less than petrol or diesel cars. But most EVs can now travel between 200 and 350 miles on a single charge under official testing. Public chargers are being installed in more and more places, such as supermarkets, motorway services, petrol stations and even at places of work.

Charging times

Charging your car at home normally takes longer - 8 to 12 hours - than by using public charge points. They're usually 3 to 4 hours on fast charge or 20 to 40 minutes using an ultra-fast unit1. Home charging is normally done overnight so can be very easy - just like charging a mobile phone. 

Buying costs

The cost of buying an EV depends mainly on make and model, but they are normally more expensive than a similar petrol or diesel car. This cost may be reduced if you can get a plug-in Government grant or manufacturer’s incentive. Also, they can be cheaper to run and maintain in the long run.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles at a glance

A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has both a petrol or diesel engine and a battery-powered motor. These can run on the engine alone or on electric-only for up to 40 miles of emission-free travel.

Ranges and charging

Typically, you should be able to travel 20 to 30 miles using the electric motor, but some models can do 30 to 40 miles.  If you need to travel further, the electric motor can still power the car for higher speeds and longer distances. Once the battery gets low, the petrol engine takes over seamlessly.

These types of hybrids do have some regenerative braking technology, but can only recharge the battery a little. To get the most out of them, they must be plugged in and charged in the same way as electric cars. The recharge times are quicker than with EVs as the batteries are much smaller. Generally speaking, the longer the car can travel using the battery motor, the longer the charge time.

Plug-in hybrid fuel economy

The fuel economy of PHEVs can vary greatly. The miles per gallon (MPG) depends on the model, distance and speed of travel, driving style. And most importantly, it also depends on how much EV mode is used - electricity is much cheaper and more efficient than petrol or diesel. 

The manufacturers' official figures can range from around 100 to 250 MPG. Real-world driving MPG can be less and you'll have to do much of the driving in electric mode to achieve this. If you mainly use your PHEV for short trips here and there, you could drive without using the petrol engine at all. But normally, there are times when the engine kicks in to power the car.  

Full hybrid vehicles at a glance 

A full hybrid (FHEV) car is powered by both a petrol or diesel engine and a battery. This lets you drive on petrol or diesel only, electric-only or a combination of both. 

Charging full hybrids

Batteries are much smaller than those found in electric cars or plug-in hybrids, so can only cover a mile or 2, at low speed, on electric-only power. But they don't need to be plugged in to recharge. By using regenerative braking, they recharge the small battery while the car is being driven and braking.

Full-hybrid ranges

An FHEV can't travel for long distances on electric-only. Electric-only travel is normally for slower, town or city centre driving and limited to only a mile or so. At higher speeds, the petrol or diesel engine will take over and power the car fully.  

Full-hybrid fuel economy

Due to the use of a battery helping the petrol engine, FHEVs tend to get better fuel economy than a standard petrol or diesel engine car. In terms of official miles per gallon (MPG), this could be in the region of around 80 to 90 MPG. The MPG in the real world depends on speed, distance and how you are driving and could be more like 60 to 65 MPG.

  • With new legislation taking effect from 2030, new hybrid cars are unlikely to be sold in the UK as they don't have a significant zero-emission mileage capability. Existing hybrid cars built and registered before this date can still be used or sold though.

Comparing electric vehicle types

Check the differences between the types side by side.

Electric vehicle features

  • They produce lower carbon emissions than petrol and diesel.2
  • They produce zero tailpipe emissions, so are important in improving urban air quality.
  • EVs could be cheaper to maintain.3
  • They're exempt from vehicle tax.4
  • They're exempt from Clean Air Zone or Ultra Low Emission Zone charges.5
  • EVs are likely to come with the most innovative technology. 

Plug-in hybrid features

  • Lower carbon (CO2) emissions than standard petrol or diesel equivalents.
  • Greater fuel economy.
  • 30 to 40 miles zero-emission travel when in EV mode.
  • Greater electric-only range than an FHEV.
  • Reduced road tax.
  • They're exempt from Clean Air Zone or Ultra Low Emission Zone charges.5

Full hybrid features

  • Lower carbon (CO2) emissions than standard petrol or diesel equivalents.
  • Very limited electric range – but there's no need to plug it in.
  • Reduced road tax.
  • They're exempt from Clean Air Zone or Ultra Low Emission Zone charges.5

See your car finance options

Ready to start your EV journey?

  • EV technology and charging infrastructure have improved over time and is getting better. So in many cases, making your next car an EV could make sense.

    To help you decide, we have a suitability tool you can use and details about a key services bundle you could access if you go on to buy an EV.

    Find out more about EVs

  • As with any car you're thinking of buying, it's good to take an EV or hybrid out for a test drive beforehand. There are things you should do when you take any car out for a spin, as well as ones that only apply to electric vehicles.

    On the test drive:

    • Sit in your normal driving position and check you can see all the dials clearly and reach the pedals comfortably.
    • Test the heater and air conditioning to see how fast they drain the battery.
    • Drive on as many different road surfaces as you can and have a go at reversing and parking.
    • If you can borrow the car for a few days, check out the range of the battery to see if suits your needs.

    After you’ve finished:

    • Have a look at how the battery charges, so you know how to do it at home.
    • Ask about servicing costs.
    • See if there are any grants available for buying an electric car.

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Sources

  1. EV and hybrid beginner’s guide (The AA)
  2. Nature Sustainability: Net emission reductions - from electric cars and heat pumps in 59 world regions over time.
  3. Electric car maintenance, repairs and servicing | The AA
  4. Vehicles exempt from vehicle tax - GOV.UK
  5. Clean Air Zone: Drive in a clean air zone - GOV.UK and Ultra Low Emission Zone: Check your vehicle