Hybrid vs. Electric, Petrol & Diesel: Which should you choose?

Pros 

Cons 

Hybrid cars 

• Improved fuel efficiency 
• Low emissions 
• Increased range 
• Reduced operating costs 

• Higher initial upfront cost 
• Complex maintenance 
• Limited electric-only range 
• Reduced boot space 

Electric cars 

• Zero emissions 
• Lower operating costs 
• Quiet on the road 
• Reduced maintenance 
• Energy efficiency 
• Convenient home charging 

• Range anxiety 
• Higher initial purchase price 
• Limited charging  infrastructure in some places 
• Cold weather performance 

Petrol cars 

• Widespread infrastructure (petrol stations) 
• Lower upfront costs 
• Longer range and fast refueling 
• Range of models 
• Powerful performance 

• Environmental impact 
• Volatile price of fuel
• Maintenance costs due to more moving parts 
• Less efficient 
• Noisy on the road 
• Limited tech in comparison with hybrid and electric cars 

Diesel cars

• More fuel efficient 
• Higher torque for towing 
• Longer engine life due to less wear 
• Lower CO2 emissions than petrol cars 
• Good for long-distance driving 

• Higher initial purchase price
• Higher maintenance costs 
• Contributes to pollution 
• Increased noise and vibration on the road
• Higher taxation 
• Higher rates of depreciation  

Hybrid cars 

Hybrid cars are more efficient than fuel-powered cars due to the combined engine and electric motor. These cars also use regenerative braking to recoup energy lost when braking.

Hybrid cars are more efficient when driving at lower speeds using the electric motor. Hybrid cars save more fuel than petrol and diesel cars, approximately 30% less fuel per mile than ICE vehicles. 

Electric cars 

Electric cars are measured kWh per 100 miles. They are highly efficient due to the electric motor used to assist the engine. They also use regenerative braking to recharge the battery through energy loss. 

Fuel costs are significantly lower - electric cars are approximately £579 cheaper annually compared with petrol cars². There are also electric tariffs created for EV owners, making it more affordable to recharge at home. 

Petrol cars 

The fuel efficiency of petrol cars is measured in MPG. Petrol cars are less fuel efficient because they’re powered by an internal combustion engine that is fuelled only by petrol.

Energy from burning fuel is wasted, and petrol vehicles don’t use regenerative braking. Look for a petrol car with 50mpg or higher for the best fuel efficiency. 

Diesel cars

Diesel cars are measured in MPG, like petrol cars. Diesel cars are more efficient than petrol cars as diesel contains more energy per litre, meaning you can travel further on less fuel. They’re a great option for efficiency when towing higher loads. However, diesel costs approximately 22p more a litre than petrol³. 

Hybrid cars 

Hybrid cars have lower emissions than petrol and diesel cars. They have good efficiency and can moderately improve air quality. If you’re looking to improve your carbon footprint but you’d still like the option of having an internal combustion engine as a backup, a hybrid vehicle would be a great option. 

Electric cars 

Electric cars produce zero emissions and are the most efficient choice. They improve air quality in cities for a cleaner alternative to ICE cars. Not only do electric cars improve air quality, but they’re also quiet, which reduces noise pollution in built-up areas. 

Petrol cars 

Petrol cars produce the highest amount of greenhouse gases. In the UK, 28% of greenhouse gases are produced by transport including petrol passenger cars⁴. Because of this, the production of pure-ICE vehicles will be phased out by 2040.

Diesel cars 

Diesel cars are said to produce lower emissions than petrol cars per kilometre due to higher efficiency⁵. While emissions are lower, they still have a significant effect on climate change. To reduce CO2 emissions, a diesel car is preferable over a petrol car. 

Hybrid cars 

You can reduce overall fuel costs by driving a hybrid car. The addition of the electric motor supports the engine, meaning you can travel further using less fuel. These cars can also drive in fully electric mode, saving money on fuel. 

Fewer moving parts mean fewer maintenance requirements, making costs lower than petrol and diesel vehicles, but they can be more expensive than EVs. Insurance costs are typically the same for hybrid cars as they are for petrol and diesel cars. Hybrid car running costs are more affordable than ICE cars. 

Electric cars 

Electric car drivers will save on fuel costs but will also have to consider the cost of electricity used to charge the car at home. There are electricity tariffs EV drivers can take advantage of to bring down these costs. EVs have fewer moving parts than traditional ICE cars, resulting in lower maintenance costs. 

Insurance costs can be more expensive due to the higher price of replacing an EV battery. Government incentives mean EV drivers can take advantage of cheaper taxation costs. 

Petrol cars 

Petrol cars are typically more expensive to run than hybrid and electric cars, with drivers having to top up on fuel regularly. Petrol prices often fluctuate, too. 

Petrol cars also need more frequent maintenance due to a range of components. Typically, petrol car drivers spend a total of £150 a year on general upkeep⁶. 

However, petrol cars are less expensive to insure because they’re more common, but tax will be more expensive due to increased CO2 emissions. 

Diesel cars 

Diesel cars are more efficient than petrol cars, but they can cost more to maintain due to the complexity of the engine.

Diesel cars can also be more expensive to insure, thanks to higher repair costs. Diesel cars may also have higher road tax costs because of their contribution to air pollution. 

Generally, diesel cars have lower fuel costs compared with petrol cars but higher maintenance and insurance costs, making them more expensive in the long term.

Hybrid cars 

Hybrid cars offer drivers faster acceleration than petrol and diesel cars due to the internal combustion engine and the electric motor working together. However, they can’t reach the high speeds of ICE cars. Hybrids offer good drivability and conventional handling and feel more like a traditional car. 

Electric cars 

Electric vehicles offer instant torque for fast acceleration from standing still. This immediate response makes them a great choice for city driving and in stop-start conditions. Electric cars have a low centre of gravity for improved stability and handling. These cars are smooth and quiet, with no engine noise for a more refined drive experience. 

Petrol cars 

Petrol cars accelerate more slowly than EVs and hybrid cars. They have a higher top speed and would be a good choice for those who enjoy the sound of an ICE engine and the feeling of response when accelerating.

Diesel cars 

Diesel cars have a high torque output which makes them a great choice for towing. They have lower top speeds than petrol cars but can be more responsive at low speeds. They’re heavy and sturdy, great for long-distance cruising and towing. They’re also comfortable on motorways for smooth driving and consistent speeds.