Hybrid Vehicle Options
Balancing Affordability and Sustainability! Find the right car and finance option for you with our guide to hybrid vehicle options.
Different Hybrid Vehicles Options
In the market for a new car and leaning towards a hybrid? Hybrid cars offer excellent fuel efficiency and can be a great choice for many drivers. But with a few different types available, it can be helpful to understand which might best suit your needs.
Full Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV):
This is the most common type of hybrid vehicle, with models such as the famous Toyota Prius in this class. Below is a breakdown of how a HEV works.
- Combines a petrol engine with an electric motor and battery pack
- Can operate on just the electric motor, petrol engine, or both:
- Electric motor for short distances or low-speed driving
- Petrol engine for highway driving or when battery depleted
- Both working together for maximum power or efficiency
- Regenerative braking: captures energy when braking to recharge the battery
- No need to plug in for charging: they are self-charging hybrids
Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (mHEV):
Unlike a full hybrid, the electric motor in mild hybrids isn’t powerful enough to propel the car on its own. Instead, it acts as a supportive teammate for the petrol engine.
- Features a small electric motor that assists the petrol engine
- Cannot operate solely on electric power:
- Electric motor functions more as a booster for the petrol engine
- Improves fuel efficiency and helps with stop-start driving
- Regenerative braking may be used to some extent
- No external charging required: battery recharges itself
Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV):
A plug-in hybrid car, known as a PHEV, uses a combustion engine and an electric motor with a high-voltage lithium-ion battery but you need to plug it in in order to charge it.
- Also combines a petrol engine with an electric motor and battery pack
- Can operate on just the electric motor or the petrol engine
- Must be plugged in to recharge the battery
- PHEVs use regenerative braking to capture energy when you slow down or brake
Choosing Between Them:
Full Hybrid (HEV): Ideal for those who want a balance of electric and petrol power, with the ability to drive short distances on electric power alone.
Mild Hybrid (mHEV): A good option for those who primarily do shorter journeys but still want some improvement in fuel efficiency compared to a regular petrol car.
Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV): Perfect for those looking to significantly reduce your petrol consumption, especially if your daily commute falls within the electric range.
What Type of Car Finance Should I use for a Hybrid?
When it comes to car finance for hybrid cars, we have plenty of options. It all depends on what you want at the end of the deal. Do you wish to own the car at the end, then a Hire Purchase deal is probably best, or would you only want the vehicle for a few years before changing it up? Then a Personal Contract Purchase, Lease or Personal Contract Hire deal is the path for you.
Hybrid car finance is no different from finance for normal combustion engines. But the vehicles tend to be slightly more expensive than cars that use fossil fuel.
If you want to know more about electric vehicle or hybrid vehicle options, we have a great guide to help you make your decision.
