• 2023-02-02 09:03:00
  • >02

    Feb

What’s The Difference Between a Hybrid Car and Electric Car?

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The UK Government’s aim to ban the sale of new non-hybrid petrol and diesel cars by 2030 has brought hybrid and electric vehicles to the forefront. Whilst the ban won’t affect existing petrol and diesel cars, more people are considering moving away from traditionally fuelled cars and instead using a hybrid or electric vehicle.

Below, we look into what the difference is between a hybrid and electric car, the pros and cons of both, and which one might be best for you.

The difference between hybrid and electric cars

The fundamental difference between a hybrid vehicle and an electric vehicle is that the electric car only runs on electricity, that’s stored in its battery. A hybrid vehicle, on the other hand, uses both electricity and a traditional fuel combustion engine, such as petrol or diesel.

Electric cars will need to be plugged into a power supply to charge up the battery. Most hybrid vehicles will charge their own electric battery from the regenerative energy produced while driving. There are some plug-in hybrid cars that will require a connection to an electrical outlet in order to charge up the battery.

Pros and cons of hybrid cars

Most hybrid cars don’t require a charging point to operate. So, owners won’t have to install a charging point in their home or have to plan their journeys around electric vehicle charging points.

Another advantage of hybrid cars is they can be good for both city and long-distance driving. The electric battery is small, but it can usually give enough power to fuel a car when driving through urban areas or when in traffic. The combustion engine then gives the additional power needed for motorway driving, with the added benefit of the electric battery helping with fuel efficiency.

Plug-in hybrid cars have a bigger electric battery that can power the car for longer periods – typically, they can drive for around 20 to 50 miles on a single charge depending on the model. However, like a fully electric car, this battery will need to be charged at a specialist power outlet for electric vehicles. The benefit of a plug-in hybrid car is that the vehicle can run using the combustion petrol or diesel engine if it’s not possible to find a charging point.

A downside of hybrid cars is they can be more expensive to maintain. This is because they essentially have two different power systems – electricity and combustion – that will both require maintenance and repairs. However, many hybrid cars don’t qualify for road tax, so you could save money in that area.

Advantages of electric cars

The main advantage of an electric car is they have zero emissions, meaning they are much better for the environment than cars that use a combustion engine. The UK Government’s aim is to eventually see all cars at zero emissions, so using an electric car now means you will already be where the rest of society is heading.

Another benefit of electric vehicles is that they do not require any road tax to be paid because they are zero-emission vehicles. This can save you a lot of money throughout your ownership of the car.  

The downside of electric vehicles is that they require a special charging point to refuel. If you own your home, you will have to pay to install this. If you rent, you will have to ask permission from the homeowner to install a charging point. However, renters may be eligible to a grant from the Government for a charge point, which can amount to a grant covering around 75% of the cost.

Owners of electric vehicles will also have to plan their journeys carefully to ensure they have enough power. Electric cars can drive between 100 to 300 miles on a single charge, so for most short journeys, thinking about power won’t be an issue. Plus, there are over 40,000 public charging points across the UK, with more being added as electric vehicles grow in popularity. However, drivers will still need to take extra care to make sure they don’t run out of power, especially if they’re taking long journeys.

Hybrid or electric – what should you buy?

Whether you buy a hybrid or electric vehicle will depend on your lifestyle, driving habits, and your budget. An electric vehicle can be perfect if you have the requirements to set up a charging point in your home and if you only regularly take shorter journeys. A hybrid car can work better if you take longer journeys and you want the peace of mind that you can easily refuel wherever you are. Both types of vehicles will help to reduce your emissions and your carbon footprint.


GetCarFinanceHere can find you the best car finance deals to help you finance your next car, including hybrid and electric vehicles. Simply apply online to see how much you could borrow or contact us to speak to the team for more information.

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