New research challenges belief new plug-in hybrids cost more to buy than EVs
New research challenges belief new plug-in hybrids cost more to buy than EVs
Neil LancefieldSun, April 26, 2026 at 11:01 PM UTC
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New research has found that most new plug-in hybrid vehicles (Phevs) cost more to buy than their fully electric equivalents.
The Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) think tank said its analysis found the UK’s 10 best-selling new Phevs were, on average, £4,150 higher than an equivalent EV.
Phevs, which combine an electric motor with a petrol or diesel engine, are often believed to be cheaper than pure electric vehicles because they utilise smaller batteries. However, this analysis suggests the opposite is true for the most sought-after models.
They included:
The VW Tiguan Phev being £5,780 more expensive than the VW ID.4 EV.
The Ford Kuga Phev being £4,035 more expensive than the Ford Explorer EV.
The MG HS Phev being £3,400 more expensive than the MG S5 EV.
The ECIU said the fuel consumption of Phevs is nearly six times what manufacturers claim, which means the vehicles cost an average of £620 a year more to fuel than their EV equivalents.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show the market share of new Phevs in March was 13.0 per cent, up from 9.5 per cent during the same month last year.
Colin Walker, ECIU head of transport, said there is a risk that drivers looking to “shield themselves” from high fuel prices may switch to vehicles that “simply won’t deliver the savings promised”.
He went on: “The reality is that Phevs cost more to buy, and more to run, than their electric equivalents.
Chinese-made BYD plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in a compound in Sheerness, Kent (PA)
“Phevs rely on petrol for most of their driving, and burn much more of it than their manufacturers claim.
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“The best way that drivers can reduce their exposure to spikes in global oil markets is to shift to vehicles that don’t need oil to move – EVs.”
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said car-makers are legally required to test all vehicles to the “same repeatable, Government-verified standard”.
“Despite massive discounting by manufacturers to drive up demand for EVs, many drivers have yet to be convinced given concerns over the availability and high cost of public charging.
“Therefore, manufacturers have also developed a range of technologies so everyone can reduce their emissions.
“Plug-in hybrids can be a crucial stepping stone to going fully electric, allowing people to become familiar with zero-emission driving and helping to overcome anxiety.”
Analysis by online vehicle marketplace Autotrader last week revealed new EVs have become cheaper to buy than petrol models for the first time, which it attributed to Government grants and “sustained manufacturer discounting”.
The zero-emissions vehicle (Zev) mandate sets headline targets for the proportion of new cars sold by each manufacturer that are zero-emission, which generally means pure battery electric.
This year it is 33 per cent but manufacturers are able to comply by using flexibilities, such as selling high volumes of plug-in hybrids.
The Government has rejected calls from the automotive sector to bring forward a planned review of the programme in 2027.
Manufacturers claim the mandate puts too much pressure on them to offer unsustainable discounts on new EVs.
Source: “AOL Money”
