Drivers are saving £4,150 when buying electric cars, as plug-in hybrids "won't deliver" on promised savings, according to new research. The UK's best-selling vehicle in March, the Jaecoo 7, costs £2,000 more as a plug-in hybrid than its electric equivalent, the Omoda E5.
Hybrids More Expensive Than EVs
Data shows eight of the ten most popular hybrids in the UK cost more to purchase than comparable electric vehicles. On average, plug-in hybrids are 10 per cent more expensive than zero-emission models, with a price difference of £4,150 at the recommended retail price.
Expert Warning on Fuel Costs
Colin Walker, head of transport at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, warned that plug-in hybrids "won't deliver the savings that are promised to them." He explained that in real-world driving, PHEVs rely on petrol for most journeys and burn more fuel than manufacturers claim, leaving drivers vulnerable to rising petrol prices.
Walker added: "The best way that drivers can reduce their exposure to spikes in global oil markets is shift to vehicles that don't need oil to move - EVs."
Government Policy Criticised
Walker also criticised the Labour government's decision to allow the sale of plug-in hybrids after 2030, when new petrol and diesel cars will be banned. He argued that maintaining EV targets will enhance the UK's energy security and shield drivers from oil market shocks by encouraging EVs powered by British wind and solar farms.
