Hybrid vs Electric Cars UK: Which Should You Choose?

Summary

• Fully electric (BEV): No engine at all. Runs on battery only. Zero emissions. Best if you can charge at home.
• Hybrid (HEV/PHEV): Has both an engine and a battery. No range anxiety. Good if you do a mix of short and long trips.
• Running costs: Electric cars are cheapest to run. Hybrids are cheaper than petrol but more than full electric. Check your running costs to compare.

The world is moving away from petrol and diesel. The UK will ban new petrol and diesel car sales from 2035.

That leaves you with two main choices: hybrid or fully electric.

Both have their pros and cons. The right choice depends on how you drive, where you live, and what you can afford.

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Types of Electrified Cars

Before we compare, let's be clear about what each type is:

Full Electric (BEV)

Battery Electric Vehicles run on electricity only. They have no petrol or diesel engine. You plug them in to charge.

Examples: Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen ID.3.

Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

These have both an electric motor and a petrol engine. You can charge the battery and drive 20-40 miles on electric only. After that, the petrol engine takes over.

Examples: BMW 330e, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Volvo XC60 Recharge.

Self-charging Hybrid (HEV)

These have a small electric motor that charges itself as you drive. You can't plug them in. The electric motor helps the engine but can't drive far on its own.

Examples: Toyota Prius, Honda Jazz Hybrid, Toyota Yaris Hybrid.

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Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	Full Electric	Plug-in Hybrid	Self-charging Hybrid
Range	150-400 miles	20-40 miles electric + 400+ total	1-2 miles electric + 500+ total
Fuel costs	Cheapest (3-5p per mile)	Moderate (6-10p per mile)	Moderate (8-12p per mile)
Road tax	£0 (changing — check current rates)	Varies by emissions	Varies by emissions
Congestion charge	Exempt in London	No longer exempt	Not exempt
ULEZ compliant	Yes, always	Yes, usually	Yes, usually
Home charging needed?	Strongly recommended	Helpful but not essential	No
Purchase price	Higher	Medium-High	Medium
Maintenance costs	Lowest	Medium	Medium

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When to Choose a Fully Electric Car

A full EV is the best choice if:

• You can charge at home. A home charger makes EV ownership easy. Read our home EV charger guide.
• Your daily drive is under 100 miles. Most EVs handle this with ease.
• You want the lowest running costs. Electricity is much cheaper than petrol.
• You drive in London. EVs are exempt from the congestion charge and ULEZ.
• You want zero emissions. No tailpipe emissions at all.

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When to Choose a Hybrid

A hybrid is the better choice if:

• You can't charge at home. No driveway? A self-charging hybrid needs no plug.
• You do lots of long motorway trips. Hybrids can cover long distances without stopping to charge.
• You're not ready to go fully electric. A hybrid is a good stepping stone.
• You want lower fuel costs than petrol. Hybrids use less fuel, especially in town.
• You're worried about range. With a petrol engine as backup, range is never an issue. See our range anxiety guide.

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Running Costs Compared

Let's compare the yearly costs for a driver doing 10,000 miles:

Cost	Full Electric	Plug-in Hybrid	Petrol Car
Fuel/electricity	~£400	~£700	~£1,400
Road tax	£0-£190	£0-£190	£0-£190
Servicing	~£100	~£250	~£300
Total per year	~£500-£690	~£950-£1,140	~£1,700-£1,890

Electric cars save around £1,000 a year compared to petrol. Over 5 years, that's £5,000 or more.

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The 2035 Ban: What You Need to Know

The UK government plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035. New hybrids will also be banned after this date.

This doesn't affect used cars. You can still buy and drive a used petrol or diesel car after 2035.

But it means the future is electric. Buying a hybrid now gives you time to adjust before making the full switch later.

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Both hybrids and electric cars are better for your wallet and the environment than petrol or diesel. The right choice depends on your lifestyle. If you can charge at home, go electric. If not, a hybrid is a brilliant compromise.

Thinking about buying used? Our guide to buying a used electric car covers everything you need to check before you buy.

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