Mild Hybrids/Self Charging Hybrid
What are they?
Mild Hybrids and Self-Charging Hybrids give you the closest driving experience, to what you would have with conventional petrol or diesel, as you fill it up at a petrol station and go. For both types of hybrids, the petrol engine is assisted by the electric engine, with the only difference being that in a self-charging hybrid, there are times where the car may be driving on electric-only, whereas in a mild hybrid, the electric engine assists the petrol engine, and never actually drives the wheels.
What are the benefits?
Mild Hybrids and Self-Charging Hybrids are generally more fuel-efficient as the electric motor assists the engine, and it is recharged via braking so doesn’t need to be plugged in, so they will use less petrol than their internal combustion counterparts.
Should I buy one?
Both are excellent introductions to electrified motoring, and if you are worried about range anxiety, or don’t have access to charging facilities, they could easily be the option for you.
Our Mild Hybrid Pick
The Nissan Qashqai uses its electrified engine to give you smooth driving without having to compromise on performance!
Our Self Charging Hybrid Pick
The Renault Arkana E-Tech Hybrid 145 gives you an engine that smoothly transitions between electric and petrol where it sees fit and does so with peppy performance, whilst still returning excellent fuel economy!
Plug-In Hybrids
What are they?
A plug-in hybrid is the true combination of an electric vehicle and a self-charging hybrid. Like the self-charging hybrid, there is a period where the electric motor drives the wheels, but as the battery is bigger and you can charge it yourself like you would a pure electric vehicle.
What are the benefits?
You can drive in pure electric mode for a majority of the time meaning that you could make the same savings as you would in pure electric vehicle. However, when you do need to go on a long journey, you can fill up at either a traditional fuelling station, or a public charging point. This gives you the flexibility to go wherever, whenever.
Should I Buy One?
There are plenty of cases that would make this the right choice for you, but in general, this is perfect for anybody who is excited by the prospect of pure electric vehicles, but worried about some of the drawbacks associated with pure electric vehicle ownership.
Our Plug-In Hybrid Pick
The MG HS Plug-in gives you up to 32 miles of all-electric range, whilst equally giving you a petrol engine so that for longer distances you don’t need to rely on public charging. The HS is an excellent SUV that comes with some impressive performance figures for a medium SUV!
Pure Electric
What is it?
A pure electric vehicle has a battery that is connected to a motor that powers the wheels. You can charge the car overnight at home, and just get in in the morning and go. The technology has come a long way in the last few years, and most models can take you 200 miles on a single charge, and there is plenty that reaches 300 miles. Equally, with fast-charging infrastructure improvements, in the time it takes you to get a sandwich and a coffee, most cars can charge up to 80%.
What are the benefits?
With its simple powertrain comes simple ownership, as there is fewer moving parts, they usually need less servicing than internal combustion engines. In addition, these powertrains come with instant torque, which means a smooth and seamless ride, and speed that feels almost like being on a rollercoaster. Finally, you are still able to charge pure electric vehicles for free at certain places, and with energy tariffs designed for pure electric drivers, you could make a saving compared to petrol or diesel.
Should I buy one?
Realistically, a minority of people are in the position where a pure electric vehicle wouldn’t suit their lifestyle, but equally, there is a degree of adjustment as far as user behavior. If you want to make the leap, then there really is nothing stopping you!
Our Pure Electric Pick
Our pure electric choice is the Hyundai IONIQ 5. The IONIQ 5 is easily one of the most exciting vehicles on the market right now, and it has a trophy cabinet full of awards to back this up. With a range of up to 287 miles, the IONIQ 5 has plenty of battery to get you to wherever you want to go!
To conclude, it is worth mentioning that there really is no right or wrong answer to this question, as it’s about finding the powertrain you are most confident with. Whatever you choose, we have a wide selection of new and used electrified vehicles for you to choose from, making your transition to electrification as easy as possible!
