What is a hybrid plugin?

Hybrid vehicles are becoming more popular as brands and consumers demand a more environmentally friendly alternative to clean gasoline and diesel vehicles. However, several types of hybrid vehicles are available. Here we explain what a plug-in hybrid vehicle (sometimes known as a PHEV) is and why it might be the right choice for you.

What is a hybrid plugin?

A plug-in hybrid vehicle can be thought of as a cross between a conventional hybrid (also known as a self-charging hybrid) and a pure electric vehicle (also known as an electric vehicle). 

Like other types of hybrids, a plug-in hybrid has two power sources - an internal combustion engine running on gasoline or diesel fuel and an electric motor running on battery power. The engine is the same as conventional gasoline or diesel vehicles, and the electric motor is similar to that used in other hybrids and electric vehicles. The battery of a plug-in hybrid can be charged by plugging it into an outlet, which is why it is called a plug-in hybrid.

What is the difference between plug-in and conventional hybrids?

Conventional hybrids work in much the same way as plug-in hybrids, but have built-in systems for recharging the batteries, which is why they are called "self-charging". They must not be plugged into an outlet.

A plug-in hybrid has a larger battery than a conventional hybrid, which is charged by the vehicle itself when it is in motion, but can also be charged by plugging it into a home, public or work charging point. Plug-in hybrids have a more powerful electric motor than most conventional hybrids, allowing them to travel much further using electric power alone. The ability to cover many more miles on electric power alone means official fuel consumption and emissions figures for plug-in hybrids are much lower than conventional hybrids, although you need to keep them charged to reap the full benefit.

How does a plug-in hybrid work?

Depending on the circumstances, the petrol/diesel engine or the electric motor in the plug-in hybrid may either drive the vehicle on its own or work together. Most choose the power source for you, depending on what is the most efficient and the battery level. Clean electric power is usually the car's default option at startup and at low speed. 

The latest plug-in hybrids also have several driving modes that change how the engine and engine work, and you can choose them as you see fit. For example, if you're driving around town and don't want your car to pollute the environment, you can select "EV" mode to have your car use only the electric motor wherever possible.

There may also be a "power" mode where the engine and engine prioritize maximum power over minimum fuel consumption. This can be useful for overtaking on a country road or when towing a heavy trailer.

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How are plug-in hybrid batteries charged?

The main way to recharge a plug-in hybrid's batteries is by plugging it into a home or public charging point. Charging time depends on the size of the car battery and the type of charger used. However, as a general rule, a fully discharged battery should be fully charged overnight.

Plug-in hybrids also have several built-in systems that recharge batteries while you drive. The main one is regenerative braking. This reverses the direction of rotation of the electric motor when braking, turning the motor into a generator. The energy that is generated is then returned to the batteries. In many plug-in hybrids, this also happens when you let off the gas.

Plug-in hybrids can also use their engine as a generator to recharge their batteries. This happens without driver intervention, as the car's computers are constantly using these systems to keep the battery as full as possible. If the batteries are discharged while driving, the vehicle simply continues to run on the petrol/diesel engine.

What happens if you don't connect the plug-in hybrid?

The worst thing that can happen is that the battery will run out, so you won't be able to use the electric motor until you recharge it. The car will still be perfectly driven because it can use its petrol/diesel engine instead.

The vehicle's built-in power generation systems usually prevent the electric motor battery from draining, but this can happen in some situations, such as when driving on a long motorway.

How far can a plug-in hybrid go on electricity alone?

Most plug-in hybrids give you an electric-only range of 20 to 40 miles on a full charge, although some can go 50 miles or more. That's enough for many people's day-to-day needs, so if you can keep the battery charged, you'll be able to make many trips on zero-emission electricity.

How far a plug-in hybrid can travel before its fully charged battery is depleted depends on battery size and driving style. Traveling at higher speeds and using a lot of electrical features like headlights and air conditioning will drain your battery faster.

How much fuel economy will a plug-in hybrid have?

According to official figures, many plug-in hybrids are capable of driving hundreds of miles on a gallon of fuel. But just as most gasoline or diesel cars don't live up to their official real-world miles per gallon fuel consumption figures, so do most plug-in hybrids. This discrepancy is not the fault of the car manufacturer - it's just a feature of how averages are obtained in laboratory tests. You can read more about how the official MPG numbers are calculated here. 

However, most plug-in hybrids provide extremely good fuel economy. For example, a BMW X5 PHEV can deliver better fuel economy than a diesel X5. To get the most fuel economy from plug-in hybrids, you need to plug into the grid as often as possible to recharge.

What is it like to drive a plug-in hybrid?

When the engine is running, the plug-in hybrid behaves just like any other petrol or diesel vehicle. When it runs on clean electricity, it looks like an electric car, which can be a little creepy if you haven't driven one before, because there's very little noise and most of them accelerate from a standstill very quickly and smoothly.

The way a plug-in hybrid's petrol or diesel engine starts and shuts off while driving, often at first glance at random, can also seem a little strange at first. 

The brakes also take a bit of getting used to, and it's worth noting that some plug-in hybrids are very fast. Indeed, the fastest versions of some cars are now plug-in hybrids, such as the Volvo S60.

Are there any downsides to plug-in hybrids?

Plug-in hybrids can provide great fuel economy, but as we mentioned, you're unlikely to reach the official maximum. A factor in the discrepancy between official and actual fuel economy is that plug-in hybrids can consume more fuel than would be expected when running on engine alone. The batteries, electric motors, and other components of a hybrid system are heavy, so the engine has to work harder and use more fuel to move it all.

Plug-in hybrid cars also cost a bit more than the same petrol/diesel cars. And just like with an electric car, if you live in an apartment or house without off-street parking, you won't be able to set up a home charging point.

What are the benefits of plug-in hybrids?

Most PHEVs emit very little carbon dioxide (CO2) from their exhaust, according to official figures. Cars are subject to a CO2 tax in the UK, so the road tax for PHEVs is usually very low.

In particular, company car drivers can save thousands of pounds a year in road tax by purchasing a plug-in hybrid. Cars are also exempt from most driving fees in low emission/clean air areas. These two factors alone may be enough to convince many people to buy a plug-in hybrid.

And because plug-in hybrids have power from both the engine and the battery, the “range anxiety” that can arise when driving an electric vehicle is not an issue. If the battery runs out, the engine will start and your journey will continue.

At Cazoo you will find a range of high quality plug-in hybrids. Use our search tool to find the one that's right for you, then buy it online for home delivery or pick it up at one of our customer service centers.

We are constantly updating and expanding our range. If you can't find one within your budget today, check back soon to see what's available, or set up a stock alert to be the first to know when we have a plug-in hybrid that fits your needs.