Petrol vs Hybrid

A lot of people are apprehensive about change, especially when it's something they may not understand so we've taken a look at the differences between hybrid and petrol cars & explained it in simple terms to give you the reassurance that moving to a hybrid only brings benefits & not change.

What is a Hybrid car?

Hybrid cars don't mean you have to change the way you drive. They are still fitted with a standard combustion (fuel) engine but in a hybrid car, the engine is supported by an electric motor to help achieve lower emissions and to improve fuel economy meaning lower running costs for you.

• Mild Hybrid (battery assisted) - these are the simplest form of hybrid & designed to improve the car’s stop-start system, allowing it to step in sooner to switch the engine off resulting in reduced engine emissions. Examples of this type of hybrid include the Suzuki Ignis, Swift, Swift Sport and S-Cross, the Nissan Qashqai as well as the Subaru Forester e-Boxer and XV e-Boxer.

• Full Hybrid (Dual Power) - with a full hybrid car, some of the engine's power is diverted to charge a battery which in turn then powers an electric motor for zero-emission driving at very low speeds. The battery doesn’t need to be charged from a mains supply like a plug-in hybrid. Examples of a full hybrid would include the 2022 Suzuki Vitara and the Suzuki Swace.

• Plug-in Hybrid - these have a much larger battery capacity and can be charged using a home charging point or public charging station. The combined petrol engine and large battery allows the car to switch between petrol and electric thus giving even greater efficiencies. An example of a plub-in hybrid would be the Suzuki ACross.

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Price

Generally speaking, the more technology a car has the more expensive it is to purchase however as hybrid cars result in better fuel economy and reduced emissions, the initial cost is more than balanced out over the cost of ownership.

Emissions

The more battery power a hybrid vehicle has, the lower the CO2 emissions vs. a standard petrol car meaning it is better for the environment. This also equates to a lower car tax band and in some cases being exempt from congestion charges.

Fuel Economy

Due to the addition of battery power, you will spend less on your fuel when you own a hybrid car. Take a look at the potential monthly savings you may find from a petrol vs. a hybrid car.

The Benefits of Hybrid Cars

• Lower emissions

• Improved fuel economy

• Reduced running costs

• Better (future) residual values

• Hybrid cars are also proving to be more reliable than their diesel and petrol counterparts which could mean further savings in the future

You don't have to buy new to benefit

Improvements in CO2 emissions and fuel efficiencies have been developing at a dramatic rate in recent years so if you're unsure about a Hybrid or can't stretch the budget to a nearly new car, we always have a selection of used cars available which could still offer substantial savings when compared to an older petrol or diesel model as the following example shows.

VIEW OUR RANGE OF NEW & USED HYBRID CARS

Click on the image below to see our range of new Suzuki, Nissan & Subaru hybrid cars.

We also have a great selection of nearly new & used hybrid cars in stock for you to choose from.

If you're considering a switch to hybrid, then our experienced team will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have and most importantly, arrange a test drive for you to demonstrate how owning a hybrid does not need to change the way you drive.

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