Should I choose a plug-in hybrid or fully electric as my next lease car?
What’s the difference between a plug-in hybrid and an electric car?
Plug-in Hybrid
Following the government’s aim of having an EV-filled road network by 2035, the demand for electric vehicles is constantly growing. If you’re looking to go green, you’ll first have to understand the differences between a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric car.
A plug-in hybrid, commonly referred to as a PHEV, is a hybrid vehicle that contains both electric and fuel-powered engines. As the name suggests, they require charging by being plugged into a power source. PHEVs operate on electric power until the battery is depleted, at which point the petrol or diesel engine automatically takes over. The battery can then be recharged using either a charging point installed at your home, or the exponentially expanding network of charging points around the UK.
Electric Car
Fully electric vehicles, also known as EVs, are cars that runs exclusively on an electric battery, with no petrol or diesel engine involved. These vehicles are becoming more and more appealing as the technology evolves, leaning towards a clean future.
Electric car advantages and considerations
Advantage: Quiet and enjoyable to drive
Due to the instant torque electric cars offer, the driving experience of these vehicles can be exciting. The positioning of the battery often leads to a heavier and lower weight distribution, resulting in better handling on the road. Additionally, EV’s don’t generate the same amount of noise as traditional engines, leading to a quieter and more enjoyable journey.
Advantage: Zero emissions and no road tax
Road tax is a yearly payment that everyone who owns a motor vehicle parked on public roads is required to pay. It’s a form of tax implemented by the government to help maintain the UK’s road infrastructure. The total cost is calculated based on the amount of emissions the car produces, with the higher contributors required to pay more annually. As EVs produce no emissions, they are exempt from paying road tax.
Advantage: Low running costs
EVs will be cheaper to run than a petrol or diesel car. Of course, this will depend on a few factors, like your weekly mileage and how you charge the car. If you can charge at home, you are most likely to save money with an EV compared to a traditional engine.
Advantage: Cheaper servicing and maintenance costs
Since there are fewer moving parts involved in an electric engine, they’ll experience less wear and tear when travelling with an EV. You’ll drop the charges of Oil and Filter changes during servicing that are required with petrol and diesel engines, saving you money over time.
Consideration: Expensive to buy
Although running costs are lower, electric cars are currently more expensive to buy than petrol or diesel vehicles. However, with the ever-evolving technology involved in electric car manufacturing, these costs are bound to reduce over the next few years. To offset the higher upfront costs of EVs, why not explore leasing as an alternative. Synergy has a range of electric cars available to lease on both personal and business deals that is bound to contain an EV that suits your requirements.
Consideration: Maximum range of miles
The maximum range of miles available on a full charge has been a concern with electric cars. Newer models are offering close to or over 400 miles on a single charge, enough to travel from London to Manchester and back without a single stop. Examples of longer range EVs include the Mercedes-Benz EQS Saloon, Polestar 2 and the Teslas. However, purchasing these models outright won’t come cheap.
Plug-in hybrid cars advantages and considerations
Advantage: Back-up engine
With a petrol or diesel engine present in Plug-in Hybrids, you can rest assured that you won’t get stranded with a flat battery. Once the battery has run out, the petrol or diesel engine will kick in to fuel the rest of your journey.
Advantage: Low-cost motoring on short journeys
When starting a PHEV, often it will default to electric mode. When travelling short distances, like to the supermarket or on the school run, it’s likely that the back-up engine won’t be required. The journey will be purely electric powered, saving you on fuel costs.
Advantage: Regenerative braking technology reduces energy waste
Regenerative braking is a process involved with Hybrid cars. In short, it uses the braking power to recharge the battery. The kinetic energy generated when braking is no longer being wasted and is instead being converted into electrical energy that is returned to the battery.
Advantage: Typically cost less than electric cars
When comparing the prices of hybrid and electric vehicles, the pure EVs tend to be higher in cost. Hybrids tend to be more affordable, so if you’re wanting to go green at a lower cost, PHEVs may be the option for you.
Consideration: Need recharging frequently to reap full efficiency benefits
When driving a PHEV, you will have to get into the habit of plugging it in to charge. The other option would be to carry a battery pack, which will result in a less economical running cost than a petrol or diesel vehicle.
Consideration: Need to have electric charging facilities at home
On a similar note, to fully experience the benefits of driving a Plug-in Hybrid, you will require charging facilities at home. Leaving the car to charge when at home will increase your savings significantly.
Consideration: Less environmentally friendly than electric cars
Of course, with either a petrol or diesel engine in a PHEV, the emissions will be more than a pure electric vehicle. EVs product zero emissions, while hybrids are somewhere in between an EV and an ICE.
Will PHEVs be phased out?
Currently, it’s unclear on the rules regarding Hybrid vehicles in relation to the government’s ‘Road to Zero’ scheme. Originally, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that hybrids capable of travelling substantial distances without any carbon emissions would be exempt, however PHEVs that don’t meet the criteria wouldn’t be allowed for sale after 2035.
However, manufacturers don’t seem to be phased. Volkswagen have just released two new hybrid models. The Passat eHybrid and the new Tiguan is also available with Plug-in Hybrid engines.
Best plug-in hybrid cars and electric cars to lease with Synergy
Leasing both plug-in hybrid and electric cars with Synergy is easy. We have a fantastic range to choose from, with plenty also available through our salary sacrifice scheme. Our top picks include:
Mazda CX-80: The Mazda CX-80 is a practical and efficient PHEV. With enough room for up to seven passengers, and an electric range of 38 miles, the CX-80 is perfect for families who want to reduce their carbon emissions. In fact, this Japanese SUV produces only 35g/km of C02.
Polestar 2: The Polestar 2 is a zero-emission 5-door saloon that boasts an impressive 402bhp, with the capability to go from 0-62mph in only 4.7 seconds. It offers a WLTP combined range of 406 miles, perfect for those who travel long distances regularly.
Smart #1: If you’re looking for a more affordable EV, then look no further than the Smart #1. Although the #1 offers a lower combined WLTP range of 260 miles, this EV thrives in city driving, all while producing zero emissions.
