Should You Get A Hybrid Car 2022?

In 2022, there is a lot of pressure to help tackle climate change and do what you can to lower your carbon footprint. With the petrol and diesel ban coming in 2030, could now be the best time to swap to an eco-friendlier vehicle? The sale of new hybrid cars will also be a banned after 2035 due to emissions that the combustion engine releases. So, with this in mind, could 2022 be the perfect time to get a hybrid car? If you've never owned a hybrid car before or are exploring the possibility of getting hybrid car finance, the guide below has been designed with you in mind. 

How do hybrid cars work?

Hybrid cars are vehicles that use two means of propulsion. Instead of a large combustion engine, a hybrid car instead combines a smaller petrol or diesel engine with an electric motor. The electric motor is powered by batteries that can be recharged through regenerative braking or by plugging the vehicle into a charge point. There are 3 main types of hybrid cars, they are a full, mild and a plug-in hybrid. Both full and mild hybrids use their electric motor to assist the engine and get energy from regenerative braking to recharge the batteries. Plug in hybrids can instead use their electric motor independently and can be charged at home or at a designed charging point. Plug in hybrids tend to have larger batteries and longer ranges, meaning you could use it as a full EV without the price tag. 

How can a hybrid car benefit your life?

There are plenty of ways in which a hybrid car can benefit you. From the environmental impacts to the lower running costs, hybrid cars can be a great choice for anyone looking for an eco-friendly vehicle. 

• Environmentally friendly. Hybrid cars have smaller engines which means less emissions are released. Emissions from petrol and diesel engines speed up the rate of climate change and damage air quality. Less emissions can help to reduce your carbon footprint, improve human health, and help slow the rate of climate change. 

• Cheaper to run. Hybrid cars tend to be more economical than petrol and diesel alternatives and can produce higher MPG. Getting more fuel for your money can make hybrid cars cheaper to run. Plug-in hybrid cars also be charged at a considerably lower cost than refuelling a larger diesel or petrol engine. 

• Recharge as your drive. Hybrid cars use really impressive technology and regenerative braking is one of them. A conventional hybrid takes the worry out of recharging your hybrid car or running out of mileage before you reach your destination. Full or mild hybrids are able to recharge their batteries as you drive unlike full EV's which need to be recharged. 

Things to consider before purchasing a hybrid car:

As mentioned above, there are many advantages to adopting a hybrid car into your lifestyle. However, there are a few factors that you could take note of before getting one.

1. Higher purchase price

Due to the sophisticated technology involved, hybrid cars tend to cost more to buy outright. For many cash buyers, a hybrid car will usually be out of their budget. However, you can get a 0 deposit car finance deal on a hybrid car if you want to help keep costs low and pay for it in monthly instalments. Car finance is never guaranteed though so it's worth exploring your buying options before you set your heart on getting an EV.

2. Less powerful than other options

Hybrid cars have a much smaller petrol or diesel engine when compared to a traditional combustion engine to make room for the electric motor. This means that many hybrid cars are a lot less powerful when compared with similar models. Hybrid cars make great vehicles, but they can be better suited to low mileage journeys or city driving rather than long motorway trips. 

3. No government grants

One benefit of owning a hybrid or electric car was the ability to get a government grant to help offset the price. Unfortunately, as of June 2022, the government decided to scrap this scheme in the UK. 

4. Fully electric can be better

If you want to help the environment and your pocket, you could be better suited to choosing a fully electric car. Hybrid cars are better for the environment but do still release pollutants into the environment. Fully electric vehicles on the other hand are completely emissions free and have a more positive impact on the environment.