The pros and cons of hybrid cars

With the climate crisis intensifying and electric vehicles becoming more affordable, consumers are increasingly making the shift from petrol to electric cars.

For those hesitant to make the leap, hybrid cars can be a good compromise. Using both a petrol or diesel engine and an electric motor, drivers can produce lower emissions while still having petrol power as a back-up.

Hybrid vehicles are taking a bigger and bigger share of the UK car market, with sales in the UK increasing by 40.6% in the year to January. However, they still lag behind petrol and diesel internal-combustion engine (ICE) cars in new sales, with ICE vehicles accounting for 44.7% of all new car sales in January.

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The first hybrid car to go on sale on the US market was the Honda Insight in 1999 and that was followed by the Toyota Prius, which arrived in the US and Europe in 2000.

Today, there are three types of hybrids available on the market, according to Motability:

1. Mild hybrid vehicles (MHEVs) are the closest hybrid to a traditional petrol-powered car. They use an electric motor for certain features, like air conditioning or starting the car. The “combustion engine” is always the “main source of power” in these cars.
2. Full hybrid vehicles (FHEVs) use both electric battery power and fuel to run the car. They are “self-charging” and will do so whenever the car is braking, meaning users of these vehicles don’t have to plug in to charge them.
3. Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) are similar to FHEVs because they also use electric motors and fuel. However, the electric batteries in these cars are bigger than in other hybrids, so they require more charging time at stations.

It’s important to keep these differences in mind when addressing the pros and cons of hybrid cars.

1. Pro: better for the environment

One of the most popular arguments in favour of hybrids is that they are greener than ICE cars. A study by Which? found that the five lowest-emission non-electric cars were all hybrid models, with the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid the lowest of the lot. The highest emissions in the study came from the Subaru Forester, a diesel model.

Using a hybrid over petrol or diesel vehicles reduces emissions. According to a separate Which? study, “petrol hybrids emit around 24% less than petrol or diesel” cars. With the battery and engine working together, the car also requires fewer stops at petrol stations.

In addition, “many cities are switching their public transportation and service vehicles over to hybrid cars and buses”, in order to be more “environmentally responsible”, said Conserve Energy Future.

2. Con: higher upfront costs

Although the cost of hybrid and fully electric cars has decreased in the last two decades, hybrid cars are still significantly more expensive than engine-powered vehicles.

According to the Office for National Statistics, in 2021, the average price paid for petrol and diesel cars was £29,018, while the average purchase price for hybrid cars was £36,633.

Maintenance costs are another thing to keep in mind. Unfortunately, because technology is advancing so quickly, there are still few mechanics who have the ability to repair these kinds of cars. For instance, said Fixter, if your hybrid car is serviced at an independent garage or high-street service centre, then “you’re looking at an extra £20-ish for the trouble”.

Hybrid cars are generally efficient, so maintenance is needed less regularly, but something like a battery change remains pricey. And PHEVs require the owner to install a charging station in their homes, to charge their batteries efficiently.

3. Pro: save on petrol costs

Hybrid cars might be more expensive to buy, but the addition of an electric battery allows for less expenditure on petrol. Hybrids use up to 30% less fuel per mile than conventional vehicles, said the RAC.

With two power modes available, eco and power, the driver of a hybrid can switch between them to ensure maximum efficiency from the car, lowering petrol consumption and maintenance costs.

The amount of petrol used varies between the three types of hybrids, but an FHEV, the Toyota Yaris Cross 1.5 Hybrid, was the most fuel-efficient car in a recent WhatCar? test. It returned 103.3mpg in town driving and an overall 60.1mpg. The magazine also pointed out that in the UK, some owners can get even more benefits, like “lower first year road tax,” and could “possibly [avoid] congestion charges”.

4. Con: not for long distance

Hybrid cars work best when going short distances, at slower speeds, according to Tech Guide. This makes them particularly advantageous for those living in a city. However, this also makes them impractical for those who frequently drive longer distances.

The battery in hybrid cars recharges when a driver hits the brakes, or is stopped. This makes the electric battery almost useless when driving long distances on motorways.

Charging stations are also in short supply in the UK. The government has a target of 300,000 charging stations by 2030. As of 1 January 2023, said This Is Money, there were 37,055 public charging points in the UK.

5. Pro: future-proofed

Purchasing a hybrid car provides drivers with the comforts of the past while preparing them for the future. The market is changing rapidly and making the change from petrol or diesel cars now will stop you from being left behind.

“Most automakers plan to transition to an all or mostly EV [electric vehicle] lineup over the next decade,” according to MarketWatch. The only thing holding back this push is the lack of “charging infrastructure”. Once these are more readily available, the market for electric vehicles will grow even further.

6. Con: less power

For those who require significant power from their vehicles, such as farmers, construction workers or contractors, a hybrid might not be the best choice.

Hybrids have both an electric motor and an ICE, but “neither the gasoline engine nor the electric motor works as strongly as they do in conventional gasoline or electric cars”, said Kia.

Hybrids, according to Conserve Energy Future, generally have a smaller petrol engine than ICE cars and their electric batteries don’t make up for the power lost in the smaller engine.