How long does it take to charge a plug-in hybrid? If you can regularly plug in a car at home, you may want to consider moving straight to an electric car. Our research has revealed that, compared with fully electric cars, PHEVs tend to use more electricity due to their weight and smaller electric motors. When the battery is depleted, PHEVs work like a full hybrid. Most PHEV models can also use the engine to charge up the battery, but this is much less efficient. However, to get anywhere near the advertised fuel economy for most models, you'll need to plug it in to charge the battery as much as possible. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) - pioneered in the UK by models such as the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - have much larger batteries than full hybrids and have a much longer electric-only range – normally around 20 to 40 miles. Fuel savings compared with a traditional petrol or diesel are likely to be small, particularly if you mainly drive on motorways.įrom dealerships to classifieds, discover the best place to buy a car.More convenient if you don't have easy access to a charging point.Full hybrids don't need to be plugged in to charge their batteries.In some cases - as with the Honda Civic e:HEV - the petrol engine can power the driven wheels, for instance when quicker acceleration is called for. Some newer full hybrid models make use of their petrol engine to simply charge a battery pack, which is then used to drive the wheels, as this is deemed by some manufacturers to be more efficient. Some hybrids will also charge the batteries directly from the petrol/diesel engine under certain conditions. The electric motor is particularly useful when the car is at its least efficient under petrol or diesel power, such as when setting off, and can sharply cut fuel use during stop-start driving in town. The electric motor can power the car’s wheels in conjunction with the petrol/diesel engine, or even by itself (although typically only for short distances and at moderate speeds). This battery is charged using energy recuperated while braking or coasting, and is then used to power a small electric motor. Not only have they sailed through the same tests as their traditional petrol and diesel rivals, but they could also save you an impressive amount on fuel costs.įull hybrids, also known as 'self-charging' hybrids, are petrol (and to a far lesser extent diesel) cars with a battery pack that is separate from the standard 12V car battery. Depending on the type of hybrid, the electric motor works alongside the petrol engine, or by itself for short periods, with the aim of saving fuel and lowering exhaust emissions.īelow are the very best hybrid cars we've tested, including the best SUV, best cheap hybrid and best plug-in hybrid (PHEV). ![]() What is a hybrid car?Ī hybrid car combines a conventional engine (usually petrol, but diesel hybrids are also available) with an electric motor. Get the definitive verdict on every car we've tested, across all fuel types, with our independent car reviews. ![]() We've tested models with disappointing reliability, surprisingly high emissions, and many that simply won't give you the promised fuel economy when you actually get them out on the road. However, not all hybrids are built equal. From the compact Honda Jazz to full-fat, sporty plug-in hybrid off-roaders such as the Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid, there's now an electrified model to cater to every taste. ![]() There are plenty of options available - handy if you'd rather avoid the peculiar styling (or indeed Uber driver connotations) of the pioneering Toyota Prius. The best hybrid cars can be a good choice for drivers looking to save on fuel costs, but who don’t want to plunge into the deep end with a fully battery-powered electric car.ĭemand for hybrids is rising rapidly, with ever more car manufacturers offering the choice of a hybrid engine alongside petrol and diesel.
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