In 2030, new sale petrol and diesel cars will be banned. However, plug-in hybrid vehicles will remain on sale until 2035. With that in mind, are plug-in hybrid cars still worth buying? Or, would it be better to bite the bullet and buy a pure electric car instead?
Back in the early 2000s, plug-in hybrid cars were seen as an eco-friendly alternative to petrol and diesel cars. The Honda Civic Hybrid and Toyota Prius Hybrid were released in 2002 and 2004 respectively. Both of these vehicles paved the way for a new generation of motoring.
They’ve long been seen as the stepping stone to a pure electric vehicle. Firstly, they’re much more affordable. Plus, they don’t require as much up-front transitioning. Many hybrid vehicles will look and feel the same as their petrol counterparts. You also might not need to consider installing a permanent home charging device for your vehicle.
But, 20 years on, do hybrids really have a plan in society? Legally you’ll be able to buy a plug-in hybrid vehicle for at least another 13 years. With the range of pure electric vehicles growing everyday, drivers now have a huge selection of EVs to choose from.
Plus, huge developments in the UK’s public charging network make it much easier and quicker to charge on the go. If that isn’t enough to sway you, we also think hybrids might not be as eco-friendly as they first suggested…
Time for plug-in hybrid cars to pull over
Long-standing claims suggest that hybrids are better for the environment. Yet, Greenpeace has actually tried to warn motorists away from them. They’ve even gone so far as to call them “the car industry’s wolf in sheep’s clothing.” It’s now believed that carbon emissions from hybrid vehicles are two and a half times higher than official tests indicate.
Research from Transport & Environment and Greenpeace UK suggests that plug-in hybrid vehicles are actually much closer to petrol and diesel vehicles in terms of emissions. This is due to poor design features such as limited electric range. Most hybrid vehicles have an electric driving range of under 80 miles. This means motorists are still having to fill up with petrol or diesel.
Most plug-in hybrid vehicles offer a ‘eco’ or ‘zero emission’ driving mode. But, these can be just as bad for the environment. These are supposed to allow the vehicle to be driven purely on electric, however as the vehicle’s engine remains on it will continue to emit CO2.
Alongside this, Greenpeace highlights that all of the UK’s top selling hybrid vehicles automatically switch off their zero emission function when temperatures reach below 14°C. As the engine is needed to provide heat throughout the vehicle, the car begins to use its fuel-powered engine.
The UK isn’t exactly known for its sweltering climate. In fact, the UK experiences average monthly temperatures below 14°C for at least six months of the year.
It’s no wonder that the Government is calling for Brits across the UK to buy a pure electric car. Likewise, manufacturers are funnelling funding into developing new battery electric vehicles and moving away from developing hybrids. With all that in mind, how easy is it to buy a pure electric car?
The rapid acceleration of EVS
Despite the car industry struggling to get back on its feet since the Coronavirus crisis started, there has been a rapid uptake of pure electric car ownership. Since the beginning of 2022, over 90,000 new pure electric vehicles have been sold already. That’s a huge 71.2% increase from the first five months of 2021.
The pandemic has certainly raised awareness about individuals’ health and the environment, but there’s also some other factors in play. Ongoing improvements to technology and infrastructure mean it’s getting easier to charge an electric car on the go. Plus, motorists can now choose from a huge selection of pure electric vehicles from a range of manufacturers.
What’s more is a large majority, if not all, of these electric cars can travel well over 200 miles before needing to be charged again. This makes it much more accessible for Brits to buy a pure electric car that fits their lifestyle. As fuel prices continue to reach new highs, the low cost of owning an electric car becomes more and more attractive.
Buy a pure electric car
Those looking for an affordable electric vehicle have come to the right place! Here at EV Sales, we specialise in the sale o
Here at EV Sales, we specialise in the sale of pure electric cars and vans. We have a range of both new and used vehicles available from our collection point in Strood, Kent. At the moment, we have some of the latest EVs from Tesla, Renault and Vauxhall available. Plus, we always update our stocklist regularly, so it’s best to keep an eye out!
You can view all of the EVs we have available here, or contact our team via mail@evisionevs.co.uk for more information.
* All information correct as of 20/07/2022.
