A hybrid vehicle uses more than one source of power, combining both electric power and conventional fuels. This results in high fuel economy and low emissions, compared to standard diesel and petrol equivalents.
In the past decade, the UK auto market has seen a huge surge of hybrid vehicle sales—despite being among the full electric variants and models. It is estimated that nearly 162,000 hybrid vehicles are currently registered in the UK, with the most popular ones being the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
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There are various types of hybrid cars:
A traditional hybrid car uses two sources of power – the engines and the electric motor – that can either be used to drive the vehicle together or in isolation.
A mild hybrid car differs slightly from that model. An electric motor in the car can old be used to assist the combustion engine, with no ability to power the car on its own.
A plug-in hybrid car has a much larger electric range than traditional hybrid vehicles. In order to recharge the batteries in this car you would need to plug the batteries into a power source, similar to an electric vehicle.
Five of the best hybrid cars of 2019
Earlier this year, CarMagazine.co.uk listed these five cars among it’s favourite hybrid vehicles available in the UK:
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By GlobalDataKia Nero Hybrid (priced from £21,635) – The Kia Nero Hybrid combines a 1.6 litre turbo-charged petrol engine, an electric motor, and a lithium-ion battery. The car also features a dual-clutch gearbox.
The Kia Nero is quoted to have 74mpg efficiency, with CO2 emissions of 86g/km.
Mini Countryman Cooper S E All4 (priced from £31,575) – One of the main appeals of the Mini Cooper is that it aims to be broader than other affordable plug-in hybrids on the market.
The Mini claims to have three figure fuel efficiency and 4×4 capabilities.
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (priced from £21,056) – This plug-in hybrid vehicle is the third and final variant of the Hyundai Ioniq.
The vehicle specifications claim to have 247mpg fuel economy and with CO2 levels of just 26g/km, allowing you to forgo paying the congestion charge in central London.
Toyota Prius (priced from £23,449) – The Toyota Prius is known as the world’s first mass-produced petrol-electric hybrid. This car influenced the world both culturally and politically, advocating environmental awareness to reducing dependency on foreign oil.
In 1997, the first generation of the Prius was launched in Japan—since then, the hybrid and alternative-fuel market skyrocketed.
BMW i8 (priced from £114,200) – The BMW i8 is driven by a petrol-electric plug-in hybrid, all-wheel drive powertrain.
The battery on this vehicle holds 70% more power than before, as well as more main motor traction too. This vehicle should also now have 20-25 miles of electric range, with CO2 levels as low as 42g/kg.
