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The article below is an excerpt from Steve Fowler’s DriveSmart newsletter. To get the email delivered straight to your inbox every Monday, simply enter your email address in the box above.
With fuel prices currently the highest they’ve been for two years – and the highest in over three years for diesel – the cost of running a car has again become a concern for many drivers. Whether it’s the sting of filling at the pump, or the broader uncertainty around energy costs, drivers are rightly starting to rethink what car they drive – and how much it costs to run.
That’s why this recent email from reader Simon Clarke caught my attention. He wrote: “I’m seeing more plug-in hybrids being pushed again by manufacturers, and some friends are telling me they’re a safer bet than going fully electric. Should I be considering a plug-in hybrid instead of a pure EV?”
Simon’s question comes at an interesting time, since plug-in hybrid electric vehicles – also known as PHEVs – are enjoying a reassurance, with UK sales up 35 per cent in 2025.
Not long ago, plug-in hybrids were criticised for being the worst of both worlds. Early efforts amounted to cars that managed just a few miles of electric-only range, then forced their engine to work harder while dragging around a heavy but empty battery. But, as with any new technology, this situation has rapidly improved, and today I think plug-in hybrids offer drivers a great step towards full electrification.
Today’s newest hybrids can go much further on electric power, with some managing up to 90 miles without ever firing up the engine. Plug such a hybrid in at home each night, and your fuel bill for daily commuting and weekly errands could be slashed – and even more so if you make the most of a flexible electricity tariff.
Our list of the best plug-in hybrids will help you decide which one to buy, and – unsurprisingly – it’s the new Chinese brands that are leading the way with their plug-in hybrid tech. They call these cars New Energy Vehicles, and already brands like BYD, Chery and Geely all offer compelling models that have both a long electric range and extremely efficient hybrid drive systems.
If your daily driving fits within that electric range – often several dozen miles from the latest models – and you’re disciplined about charging regularly, a PHEV can work very well. Many owners effectively run them as electric cars during the week, only using the petrol engine for longer trips.
However, that “if” is important. The real-world efficiency of a plug-in hybrid depends heavily on how it’s used. If you don’t plug it in frequently, and often let the battery fall to zero charge, you are essentially carrying around the weight of a battery and an electric motor while relying on a petrol engine. Doing this can actually make it less efficient than a conventional hybrid (one that isn’t plugged in) or even a regular petrol car.
If you don’t want to juggle a fuel tank and a battery, this is where a full EV can often have the edge. There’s also a simplicity to EV ownership that shouldn’t be underestimated. No engine, no exhaust system, fewer servicing requirements and often much lower running costs if you’re charging at home with a cheap overnight tariff. And from a tax perspective, particularly for company car users, pure EVs still benefit from the most favourable rates.
Ultimately, a PHEV can make perfect sense if you regularly make long journeys in areas where charging infrastructure is limited, or if you’re not yet able to install a home charger. Here, the added flexibility of a petrol engine can provide reassurance.
So it’s less about one being universally “better” than the other, and more about how you’ll use it. If you can charge easily and most of your driving is predictable, a full EV is usually the smarter, simpler choice. If not, a plug-in hybrid can act as a useful stepping stone – just make sure you use it as intended.
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