Hybrids are a great alternative for those who want a cheap-to-run and efficient vehicle, but don’t want to switch to an EV.
In recent years, there have been several types of hybrids that offer different powertrain setups to suit a wide range of buyers.
A hybrid car has many benefits compared to owning a combustion-powered vehicle, and V12 Sports and Classics has compiled a guide of all the different types of hybrids available on the second-hand market with all of the details you need to know about them, so read on to find out more.
How does a hybrid car work?
A hybrid vehicle is equipped with a petrol engine mated to an electric motor. (Toyota)
A hybrid vehicle features a petrol engine with an electric motor, which is designed to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy.
A regular hybrid will use a petrol engine that acts as an on-board generator to power the car at higher speeds and charge up the electric motor when it’s not in use.
Around town and at slower speeds, the petrol engine will turn off and the electric motor will kick in to provide power, which makes it smoother, quieter and more efficient.
Certain Toyota hybrids, for example, come with an ‘EV Mode’ button, which allows the car to run up to speeds of 30mph on electric power, if there is enough charge in the battery.
What is a plug-in hybrid?
A PHEV gains a battery pack, which allows it to run up to certain distances on electric power. (Volkswagen)
Plug-in hybrids have become increasingly common alternatives to EVs as they offer the same petrol-electric setups as a regular hybrid, with the added benefit of being equipped with a battery pack.
Not only are PHEVs just as economical as hybrids, thanks to their on-board battery packs, they can travel certain distances at any speed on electric power alone.
For example, a Volkswagen Golf is available with a plug-in hybrid setup. It’s equipped with a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired to an electric motor and 13kWh battery pack. This means the car can travel a claimed 38 miles on electric power, with the car only producing 27g/km of CO2.
PHEVs are also good news for company car drivers, as their low CO2 emissions and eco-credentials means that they can be a lot cheaper when it comes to company car tax.
However, in order for the driver to gain the maximum electric range from their car, PHEVs come with a traditional charging port, which will need to be plugged into a conventional three-pin socket. If you’re lucky enough to have a driveway, you can have a charger installed at home, for an additional cost, ranging from £500 to £1,000, depending on the company and installation fees.
What is a mild-hybrid?
Mild-hybrids usually feature a small 12-volt or 48-volt on-board battery to boost fuel economy and reduce emissions. (Ford)
Mild-hybrids consist of a petrol engine that are acquainted with a small 12-volt or 48-volt on-board battery.
Their purpose is designed to improve a car’s acceleration, performance, boost efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.
Unlike a hybrid and plug-in hybrid, a mild-hybrid vehicle cannot drive on electric power alone and instead, uses the car’s regenerative braking, stop-start technology and coasting to store energy into the battery, which can all contribute to improving fuel economy.
A mild-hybrid is also a lot lighter than a standard hybrid car, as the battery is a lot more compact. Plus, mild-hybrids can still be chosen with manual gearboxes, which gives even more choice for consumers, and makes the driving experience more intuitive.
What are the benefits to a hybrid?
The Toyota Yaris hybrid can return up to a claimed 70.6mpg. (Toyota)
The biggest advantage to hybrids is that the vehicle doesn’t need to be plugged in to charge the batteries up, which makes them easier to live with, doesn’t give any range anxiety and are a lot cheaper to tax, thanks to their low CO2 emissions.
They all come with automatic gearboxes too; making them more accessible for all drivers to get behind the wheel of one. Plus, hybrids can provide exceptional fuel economy. For example, a Toyota Yaris hybrid with its 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor can deliver up to a claimed 70.6mpg on the combined cycle.
Furthermore, hybrids have become increasingly popular over the years, which means that second-hand prices are more than affordable with a 2020 Kia Niro on the second-hand market for less than £10,000.
What are the downsides to a hybrid?
The Suzuki S-Cross' boot capacity is significantly reduced in the hybrid model. (Suzuki)
Hybrids are a lot more complex than a traditional combustion-powered car, which means that they can cost a lot more to repair if they go wrong.
On certain hybrid models, the location of their batteries can mean that their boot spaces can be compromised over the standard petrol variant. For example, a petrol-powered Suzuki S-Cross’ boot capacity stands at 430 litres, whereas the hybrid model’s luggage space drops to just 293 litres, making it a lot less practical than it could be.
Also, despite their affordable second-hand values, hybrids at the newer end of the market can cost a lot more than their petrol-powered counterparts, due to the higher production costs, complexity and technology.
Think a hybrid vehicle is right for you? We’ve got loads of examples available to look at here at V12 Sports and Classics, so check them out today.