Your method of propulsion is among the most important decisions to make when choosing your next car. Low emission zones, the 2035 petrol and diesel ban and of course, the cost per use are all massive drivers in your decision. But should you choose a hybrid, electric, petrol or diesel car as your next mode of transport?
Hybrid cars
There are three types of hybrids. The standard hybrid (sometimes referred to as a self-charging hybrid) has a regular petrol or diesel engine that works alongside a battery pack and an electric motor. The car can use electricity or fuel, or both, which makes it more economical when compared with regular petrol cars. The car’s batteries are topped up by recovering regenerative energy lost through braking, or from the engine itself.
Plug-in hybrid cars essentially work in the same way, but the battery is much larger and can be topped up via a plug. These cars will typically give around 30 miles worth of electric-only range, but the best plug-in hybrids can travel up to 80 miles.
On the other end of the hybrid technology fence sits the mild hybrid. These models use a very small electric motor and battery pack, which are not always capable of powering the car on electric power alone like a traditional hybrid. It’s best to think of these as a kind of advanced start/stop system.
Hybrid cars typically offer more economy and lower CO2 emissions than standard petrol models, but with an added bit of complexity and cost. Plug-in hybrids can come with some tax benefits, and when used correctly, can be more economical than diesel, but once again, cost more to buy in the first place.
Electric cars
On the face of it, electric cars are pretty easy to understand. In fact, they’re even simpler than petrol and diesel cars. Electric vehicles are powered by a battery that you charge up. This can be from a three-pin plug, home charger, or fast/rapid charger. The faster the charger, the more it’ll cost to fill up.
Electric cars produce zero local emissions and are, for instance, eligible for a 100% discount in London’s congestion charge zone. They also don’t have a large engine taking up space in the front or rear, so they’re space efficient and are low in tax for people who drive company cars.
The downside is how long it takes to fill up. They take hours, rather than minutes. Plus they generally don’t go as far as a petrol or diesel. There are a few electric cars that will travel 300 miles or more using a full charge, however, there are many more that won’t.
For instance, the evergreen Vauxhall Corsa:
Petrol
117g/km
Electric
0g/km
Petrol cars
De rigueur for many, petrol cars are simple enough. Broadly they’re the least economical of this bunch, but are usually the cheapest to buy and maintain.
They’re predominately among the most reliable types of cars, and petrol engines are typically cheaper to insure than diesel or hybrid models too. It’s worth pointing out fuel costs here, as petrol is considerably cheaper than diesel at the pumps.
However, like anything else, owning a petrol car comes with a few drawbacks. Pure-petrol cars are becoming more efficient, but on longer trips, it’s still diesel that leads the way. While the price of unleaded is cheaper than diesel, you’ll be filling up more often, especially if you cover longer distances regularly.
Another consideration is the environmental impact. Oil drilling, including for petrol, has a significant effect on the planet. On a local level, petrol is more hazardous to transport than diesel. In the event of a spill, petrol is highly flammable and can damage tarmac and harm wildlife. That’s not to say that diesel is any less dangerous, as it can leave oil slicks when spilt, but it’s not flammable like petrol.
For instance, the go-to Volkswagen Golf:
Petrol
1.5-litre: £27,420
Diesel
1.5-litre: £27,595
Diesel cars
Quickly losing favour with car manufacturers due to higher emissions, diesel engines, while producing lower CO2 levels compared to petrol, emit significantly more harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx), which are carcinogenic and can pose serious health risks.
However, diesel engines are generally more efficient than petrol ones due to the higher energy content of the fuel. While petrol cars are becoming more competitive in terms of efficiency, diesel remains the better option for those covering lots of motorway miles. It’s also a popular choice among drivers who tow trailers or caravans, too, thanks to its superior torque. There is a strong pulling power from the low revs, so it doesn’t have to work as hard as a petrol to move heavy loads. Check out the Parkers guide to towing to learn more.
But, you’ll be expected to pay at least £1,000 more for a diesel over a similar petrol-powered car. Company car users don’t get much of an advantage, either. Benefit-in-kind tax rates now favour all-electric or plug-in hybrid models over pure petrol or diesels, while the latest diesels are taxed at the same rate as petrol cars, so a higher list price will negate a diesel car’s lower emissions. Road tax savings have also gone the same way, with both fuel systems now costing the same for annual Vehicle Excise Duty.
For instance, the miles per pound (mpp) of the family favourite Kia Sportage
Petrol
5.9-6.5mpp
Diesel
6.6-6.9mpgg
Sales of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned in 2035, as well as sales of new hybrid cars also stopping in 2035. You will still be able to buy, sell and drive used petrol, diesel and hybrid cars past this point, but it’s still unclear how ‘less clean’ cars will be treated. Especially with low emission zones expanding throughout the country.
Low emission zones
London has the most famous low emission zone. The ULEZ aims to encourage people out of older, more polluting vehicles by charging them £12.50 a day to enter the zone. In August 2023, the low emission zones were expanded to cover all London boroughs.
There are plenty of cars that are ULEZ exempt. Petrol cars generally sold after 2005, and even some before 2001, are eligible. For diesels you’ll need something much newer, generally from September 2015. All electric cars and most hybrids will be exempt.
There are other low emission zones planned, including a Scottish one. Oxford, Birmingham and other major cities have plans in the works too.
Should you buy a hybrid, electric, petrol or diesel car?
There’s no single correct answer to this. So we’ve created this helpful table.
| Electric | Hybrid | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ Zero local emissions ✅ Cheaper to run than diesel, hybrid and petrol | ✅ Typically most reliable ✅ More economical than petrol | ✅ Cheapest to buy ✅ Cheaper to insure than a diesel or hybrid | ✅ More economical than petrol ✅ Good for towing |
| ❌ Longest to fill up ❌ Most electric cars won’t do 300 miles on a charge | ❌Less economical than diesel ❌ Higher local emissions than electric | ❌ Typically least economical ❌ Higher local emissions than hybrid | ❌ More expensive to run than hybrid ❌ Most local emissions |
Parkers car buying tools to help you on your way
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