Are hybrids and PHEVs worth the extra cost? We did the long-term math to find out

If you're not ready or unable to switch to a fully electric car, then a hybrid is a great stepping stone, often giving you the sensation of driving an EV without the range anxiety.

Hybrids are better for the environment than traditional gas or diesel-powered vehicles because they have lower CO2 emissions and are often significantly more fuel efficient.

Just to complicate matters, there are different types of hybrid systems. Each one combines an engine, battery and electric motor to help the car run, but each type does so in different ways.

So, read on before deciding whether a hybrid makes sense for you, and if it will save you cash.

Different types of hybrids

Mild hybrid

Also known as an MHEV, this is the most basic type of hybrid system, utilising a small electric motor (typically 48v) and battery to assist a petrol or diesel engine, but not enough to power the car completely. Mild hybrids harvest power normally lost during deceleration and braking to charge the battery (known as brake regeneration or brake regen), which has the effect of reducing fuel consumption and emissions, and boosting engine performance. In effect, mild hybrid technology allows you to drive as you would in a normal ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) car but with slightly better efficiency, and there's no need to plug in to recharge the battery.

Mild hybrid examples: Volvo XC60 B5, Mercedes-Benz CLA, BMW M440i

Pros and cons of mild hybrids

Pros:

• Offer small fuel economy improvements and deliver slightly lower emissions
• Recapture otherwise wasted energy via regenerative braking
• They are often more powerful than an equivalent gas-only engine

Cons:

• Smaller fuel economy and environmental gains than a full or plug-in hybrid can offer
• Inability to be driven on electric power alone
• More complex mechanically than pure gasoline drivetrain vehicles

Full hybrids

This is the most common type and is also called a 'parallel hybrid', because its power is split between an electric motor and a gas-powered engine, which run parallel to each other. The engine or the battery/electric motor can run the car on its own, but they usually work together. Full hybrid cars often use the electric motor to power the car at lower speeds and then the engine kicks in at higher speeds to give them an additional boost. Like an MHEV, the battery is charged during deceleration and braking.

Full hybrid examples: Honda Civic Sedan Hybrid, Toyota Prius, Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

Pros and cons of full hybrids

Pros:

• Smooth, quiet, fast and relaxing when they are running in pure electric mode
• PHEVs create no harmful tailpipe emissions when they are in EV mode
• If you drive short distances and have access to a charger at home or public chargers, PHEVs can be very cheap to run because you're rarely out of electric mode
• You won't suffer from range anxiety like many EV drivers, because you have the back-up of a gas engine

Cons:

• PHEVs are most efficient when the battery is kept topped up. When the charge has been used up on longer journeys, fuel economy can drop dramatically
• Charging speeds for PHEVs are usually slower than EVs - 2-4 hours to fully charge, compared to 30 minutes
• They tend to cost more upfront (and to lease) than their ICE alternatives.
• Two powertrains mean more complex systems that can lead to higher, more specialized servicing costs.

Cost comparison

Many cars now are available with various powertrain options, so that you can choose which one fits your lifestyle.

For instance, the Kia Sportage can be bought as a regular gasoline SUV, as well as a full hybrid, or plug-in hybrid.

Using US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) data, we’ve calculated the average running costs of three versions of the Kia Sportage – the regular gas full hybrid and plug-in hybrid), assuming 15,000 miles annually with 45% highway and 55% city driving.

Data from https://www.fueleconomy.gov/

Verdict

Broadly speaking, hybrids are better for the planet because they reduce the impact of ICE cars on air pollution and greenhouse gases, plus they are more fuel efficient than traditional gas engines.

Depending on how many miles you drive, and whether that’s mainly highway or city driving, a hybrid could also save you money.

However, it’s fair to say that the difference a mild hybrid makes is minimal, though it makes complete sense to harvest energy otherwise lost via brake regeneration.

Full hybrids are rightly popular, and can be very economical to run. And because the battery (larger than a mild hybrid’s) is charged on the move via brake regen, there’s no need to plug it in to charge. So, a full hybrid makes complete sense for drivers without their own charger or on-street charging facilities.

Plug-in hybrids have a bigger battery still and are somewhere between a full hybrid and 100% electric vehicle.

PHEVs are most efficient when the battery pack is kept charged up and they are running in full electric mode.

In other words, it’s possible for drivers with short commutes of around 30 miles, to complete their journey without using any gas.

Once the battery has run out of charge and the PHEV is using its combustion engine, fuel economy will drop because the engine has to work harder to carry the heavy battery around.

Ultimately, your decision will depend on many factors, such as the distances you regularly travel, whether you have access to an EV charger, and if your budget can stretch to a more expensive hybrid.

If you want lower exhaust pipe emissions, better fuel economy, and an easier transition to the electrified future, switching to a hybrid could be the smartest move you’ll make.

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