ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HYBRID CARS

There are many advantages of driving a hybrid car when compared to a petrol or diesel car, so it’s no surprise that their popularity has grown massively in recent years.

Hybrid owners enjoy better fuel economy, helping them save money, and can see their driving has less impact on the environment.

However, while there are plenty of advantages to driving a hybrid, it’s important to consider whether it’s the right move for you. Hybrids may not suit everyone’s lifestyle. On this page, we explore the pros and cons of hybrids to help you make a more informed decision.​​​​

ADVANTAGES OF A HYBRID CAR

Buying a hybrid isn’t about being more eco-friendly. There are many other points that you should consider. We have picked out just a few of the biggest pros of hybrid vehicles below:

IMPROVED FUEL ECONOMY

Hybrids use two power sources. By sharing the load with an electric motor, the engine in a hybrid car uses less fuel to run than a traditional car.

This means a full tank will go further, lowering your running costs. For example, the Honda HR-V hybrid can travel up to 459 miles on its 40L full tank*.

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​LOWER EMISSIONS

The big advantage of hybrid cars to the environment is that they produce lower emissions than a regular fuel-powered vehicles. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, including methane and nitrous oxide, are emitted on a far grander scale from the exhausts of traditional cars.

Test results vary, but the average petrol or diesel car emits between 39 and 41 tonnes of CO2 in its lifetime. Hybrids typically emit approximately 33 tonnes. 

Less reliance on charging points

You won’t need to be concerned with finding a charging station before your car runs out of power if you are driving a hybrid. A self-charging full hybrid will charge itself as you drive, whereas a plug-in hybrid will switch to using the engine power until you can plug in.

Hybrid cars also use a clever process called regenerative braking to charge the battery, recycling energy created while braking to partially recharge the battery.

Dual advantages of electric and petrol power

Hybrid cars offer a great combination of petrol and electric benefits. Electric power provides quiet, zero-emission running at city speeds. While at higher speeds and on longer journeys, hybrids utilise the power of a traditional petrol engine alongside the electric motor, meaning they can be quickly refuelled at a petrol station without waiting for the car to charge.

Less maintenance required 

As hybrids use electric power at slower speeds, there’s less wear and tear on the engine, which means they may need less maintenance than conventional cars.

The brakes last longer, too. They don’t have to work as hard because the regenerative braking system helps to slow the car down gradually.