Hybrid vs. electric cars

By Tia Harrison-North

Last updated: 14 February 2025

If you’re considering moving away from pure internal combustion engine (ICE) – or fuel-powered cars altogether – you might be wondering which comes out top when comparing hybrid vs. electric cars.

Hybrid cars have been gaining popularity for years, while electric cars are now finding their footing in the mainstream car market.

Both are great for removing some of the petrol/diesel reliance, with electric vehicles (EVs) completely turning their nose to old-school methods.

But which is better suited for your needs? We explain the highlights and considerations of both in our guide below.

The difference between hybrid and electric cars

Hybrid and electric cars are similar in that they both use batteries and electric motors to power the car, but hybrid cars still have some form of internal combustion engine (ICE).

Mild hybrid and full hybrid cars don’t need plugging in to charge up and either use regenerative braking or the engine itself to power the batteries, while plug-in hybrid cars can be plugged in at an EV charging point for extra juice.

Of course, electric cars are purely battery-powered, so you need to plug into a wall socket, wall charger or one of the electric vehicle (EV) chargers you see at petrol and service stations to juice up for your journeys.

How electric cars work

Simply put, electric cars work by using a battery to power a motor that drives the wheels. Obviously, it's a little more technical than that, but that's the gist.

Electric cars are much simpler mechanically – they have far fewer moving parts than an ICE car.

For more detail, check out our full guide on how electric cars work.

How hybrid cars work

Hybrid cars work differently to EVs, and there are a few different types of hybrid to choose from.

• Full hybrids

Full hybrid cars, sometimes called self-charging hybrids, combine an electric motor and battery pack with the classic internal combustion engine.

With no way to plug in and charge up, these types of hybrid cars use regenerative braking and power from the engine itself to recharge the batteries.

This stored energy is then reused for things like accelerating and moving in stop-start traffic to improve fuel economy.

• Plug-in hybrids

Plug-in hybrid cars also use a battery, motor and engine combo – but they have bigger batteries than full hybrids, so you need to plug them in like electric cars.

The bigger batteries also mean the benefits of a full hybrid (e.g. fuel economy and power boost from the battery/motor) are even better from a plug-in hybrid because there's simply more power.

• Mild hybrids

Like full hybrid cars, mild hybrids use regenerative braking and, sometimes, power from the engine to improve efficiency.

It’s on a smaller scale, hence the ‘mild’ title, but it can help reduce fuel usage and increase efficiency.

They also can’t be plugged in to charge up like plug-in hybrids, and the battery isn’t as big as the one in full hybrid cars – so electric driving opportunities are lower.

Hybrid cars (HEV)

Hybrid cars are popular among those who want to increase their fuel efficiency but aren’t ready to commit to a fully electric or plug-in hybrid car.

Popular hybrid cars include the Toyota Yaris, Dacia Duster, and Honda Civic.

Hybrid benefits

Fuel efficiency

Having that backup battery and electric motor combo means you don’t use as much fuel. And, since you don't need to plug in the batteries to charge, you save on fuel costs and charging costs.

No charging

Speaking of no charging, not having to plug in and boost up means you’re getting extra efficiency with no effort on your part.

The car still drives the same, but the extra help from the batteries and electric motor are just a bonus.

Performance

Hybrid cars feel smooth and quiet on the road, and acceleration can be much quicker depending on the type of hybrid you go for.

Hybrid considerations

Initial cost

Hybrid cars can typically be more expensive to buy or finance, so it’s often worth finding models on the used market to get a better deal.

Handling

Handling in a hybrid can feel different due to the extra weight of the battery tech.

This can make cornering a bit harder, but it’s not usually a noticeable difference.

Tax changes

Hybrid cars do have to pay road tax, but it used to be discounted.

From April 2025, all hybrids registered since 2017 will pay the standard rate of £190 from the second year onwards (they used to get a £10 discount).

Don't forget that hybrids are also eligible to pay the expensive car supplement (an additional £410 for the second, third, fourth and fifth years a car is on the road) if the car was worth over £40,000 brand new.

Plug-in hybrid cars (PHEV)

Plug-in hybrid cars are an ideal entry into the world of fully electric motoring, without taking the big leap.

Plug-in hybrids to consider include the BMW 330e, Volkswagen Golf e-hybrid, or the Kia Sorento.

PHEV benefits

Reduced running costs

Being able to use electric power to supplement traditional fuel driving can help keep running costs low, especially if you have a free charging point at somewhere like your workplace.

Added power

Having a larger battery than a traditional car or a hybrid car means PHEV options have extra power, though that doesn’t mean horsepower is increased.

The main thing you'll notice is how easy it is to accelerate because there's an extra bump from the electric power.

Easy to drive

PHEV cars are easy to drive and no different than traditional fuel-powered cars, except they can feel smoother and quieter on the road.

This is helped by the fact they're generally automatic-only, so no need to worry about changing gears.

PHEV considerations

Expensive to buy

It can be pricey to buy a PHEV car, especially brand-new, so it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for used PHEV cars.

Charging the battery

To take full advantage of your PHEV, you’ll need to plug in to charge the batteries. This means you’ll have to pay for charging, unless you have access to a free charger.

Since the batteries are smaller than a full EV, it won't take as long or be as expensive to charge though.

Mild-hybrid cars

Mild hybrid cars give you an extra bit of fuel savings without you really knowing the hybrid tech is there.

You might want to consider models like Kia Sportage, Nissan Qashqai or Mercedes E-Class.

Mild-hybrid benefits

Improved fuel efficiency

Mild hybrids offer improved fuel efficiency without you even really knowing it’s happening. The battery gives you an extra bit of boost that takes the strain off your fuel tank.

Reduced emissions

Speaking of reducing the strain on fuel, this also means you could see slightly lower emissions. That’s a small win for the environment and your pocket at the same time.

Familiar driving experience

We said you won’t feel any differences in your drive, and that’s a bonus for anyone who doesn’t like change.

Mild hybrids feel like every other car you’ve driven, with a sneaky bit of electric power blended in.

Mild-hybrid considerations

No electric range

Although you get assistance from electric power in a mild hybrid, you don’t get any electric-only range. You have to trust that the car has your back and is using Its electric power store when it can.

Small batteries

Small batteries mean that you’re not banking as much electric power as full hybrid or plug-in hybrid cars. That leads us on to...

Smaller fuel savings

Smaller batteries and no proper electric-only driving mean lower fuel savings. You’ll still see improved fuel efficiency, but it’s not likely to be absolutely life-changing.

Electric cars (EVs)

Electric cars ditch the combustion engine completely and rely solely on their battery and electric motor.

Popular models include the Tesla Model 3, Nissan LEAF, and Volkswagen ID.4.

Electric car benefits

Cheap running costs

Electric cars tend to have cheaper running costs than fuel-powered or hybrid models.

They have less oily engine parts to maintain, charging is typically cheaper than filling up with fuel, and some insurance companies offer discounts for EVs.

You also don't need to worry about paying to drive in clean air or low-emission zones (including the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London). EVs are also exempt from the capital's congestion charge until 24 December 2025.

We recommend making a budget of the estimated costs to run an electric car to compare to fuel-powered models. This will help you decide if it’s a cheaper option for you.

Super quick acceleration

You’ll get faster acceleration in most electric cars thanks to the instant torque from the electric motors.

EVs can produce maximum torque immediately, a bit like turning a light switch on and off, while traditional fuel engines take more time and energy to spin up and get going.

Zero tailpipe emissions

Zero tailpipe emissions are a big win for the environment and mean you’re not adding to pollution with your exhaust.

No emissions also means you can drive in clean air and low-emission zones without forking out.

Electric car considerations

Charging infrastructure

Electric car chargers are a dime a dozen these days, but not everyone has one at home or a public one that's easy to get to.

Driving range

You’ll need to make sure your mile range matches your lifestyle.

If you make long trips often, you’ll want an EV with a high mile range that won’t need you to stop and charge regularly.

Upfront cost

Electric cars are usually more expensive than fuel-powered models, but there are plenty of great deals on used electric cars if you want cheaper electric motoring.

What’s cheaper to run?

Typically, electric cars are cheaper to run than hybrid models. Electricity is cheaper than petrol or diesel, and you can get special tariffs with your electricity provider specifically for charging cars at home.

Maintenance is usually cheaper in electric cars as well, as they don’t have as many moving engine elements to keep up with.

What’s cheaper to buy?

Mild hybrid cars are usually the cheapest to buy out of all the electric-assistance options – they're also potentially the most common since most new cars are mild hybrid.

Electric, full hybrid, and plug-in hybrid cars all have extra tech that puts them on the pricier side.

What’s cheaper to maintain?

Typically, electric cars are cheaper to maintain than hybrids. Electric cars have a simpler ‘engine’ setup, so you don’t need to worry about fluid levels, worn parts and other oily engine faults.

2035 petrol and diesel ban

There’s been talk of a 2035 petrol and diesel car ban for a while now, although the details have changed a few times.

In January 2025, the Labour Government announced they were going to pull forward the ban to 2030 after the Conservatives previously pushed it to 2035.

The plan (as of February 2025) is to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, while hybrid cars can be sold new until 2035.

Keep an eye on our news section for more on the ban – there have been lots of changes already, and we’ll update as we hear new information.

Explore used electric and hybrid cars

When it comes to hybrid vs. electric cars, there’s a lot to consider. Costs, maintenance, and lifestyle will all come into play when deciding which is the best option for you.

We’ve got lots of guides on hybrid and electric cars if you want to learn more about what’s on offer, and we’ve got a range of used electric cars and used hybrid cars on sale for great prices.

Read more about hybrid and electric cars:

• Best cheap used hybrid cars

• Best used electric cars