When moving from driving a petrol/diesel car to some it may seem like a hybrid is the best choice for you – a middle ground compromise or less of a complete change. On some occasions, this may be the case, however more often a fully electric car will be most suitable for you.
Fully electric is the future. To use an analogy, a Hybrid car is like a Nicotine patch for the traditional car user, nervous about giving up fossil fuels completely. A hybrid vehicle has to carry all the weight of a normal internal combustion engine plus the weight of an electric motor and battery. This makes the car heavy and reduces efficiency.
As the battery and motor have to be fitted into the space around the petrol engine and fuel tank they are often limited in size. This reduces electric range and minimises the performance benefits inherent to an electric motor.
If you are considering a hybrid because you are worried about range then there are some things to consider.
How often do you really perform long drives and is a range extender EV or battery only BEV more suitable to me?
One of the biggest reasons to move to an electric car is the savings in tax, servicing, and fuel. With a hybrid, you are not guaranteed free road tax, you will still have to buy petrol, and most importantly, you still have to service the complicated combustion engine.
An electric car requires minimal servicing as it only has two or three moving parts in the motor. A petrol motor has hundreds of moving parts, litres of oil, coolant that needs replacement, and fan belts that break.
For the small group of people who regularly drive further than the electric range of their car we often recommend a range-extended EV (REx) such as the BMW i3. In this set-up, the car is a normal electric car except it has a small (backup) generator used to top up the batteries if and when required. This allows you to drive further without stopping. It also allows you to top up with petrol and continue driving if necessary.
Many people order a range extender and later find they never use the petrol motor. However, if the security of a petrol back-up is what you need to make the move towards a greener future, then we are happy to help you out, and also supply used range extender vehicles.
As the range of pure electric cars gets bigger and bigger, range extenders are becoming increasingly irrelevant, just like a hybrid will become.
If you are unsure which type of vehicle is right for you, give us a call to discuss your options.
Electric Cars come in three types:
Runs solely on an electric motor and battery Features:
An electric car is suitable for most drivers. The majority of car travel is under 20 miles. Electric cars can be charged whilst you are asleep or at work and allow you to have maximum range every day, be that 100 or 250 miles. This type of EV is suitable for almost all daily use and commuting, with occasional long journeys.
Runs on an electric motor and battery like a fully electric car. A REx also uses a small (petrol) engine to generate electricity for extra range or to hold the battery power
Range extender vehicles are the next greenest alternative to a fully electric vehicle. A range extender is a small petrol generator used to top up batteries. This small generator will allow you to continue a journey using petrol, even when you run out of electric range. The other great use for a range extender is to run the engine on the motorway in order to save battery power for city use.
The downsides to a range extender are twofold:
Runs on a small battery and electric motor. When extra power or range is required, the car runs on a standard (full size) petrol engine. Requires a gearbox and all the many hundreds of moving parts used by a conventional vehicle
A plug-in Hybrid is suitable for some drivers. Namely, those who drive very long distances regularly or for work. The problem with plug-in hybrids is that you are carrying two technologies at all times.
Most plug-in hybrids use a standard petrol engine car and try to squeeze in batteries and a motor. The problem with this is that the battery and motor have to be limited in size. This generally provides a small electric range and less impressive electric motor performance. We only recommend a plug-in hybrid for those that drive hundreds of miles regularly or those who feel very committed to petrol engines. Generally, anyone that is considering a plug-in hybrid will enjoy living with a range extender EV.
Completely Green Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Firm Reference number – 790525. We are a broker and not a lender. If you are not happy with the service you have received, you have the right to refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
Please note: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the used vehicle information and images on this website, some errors may occur. It is important that you do not rely solely on this information, prices or images, and check with us any items that may affect your decision to purchase a vehicle. For an example monthly price, please use the finance calculator on each listing to retrieve a quotation. Representative Hire Purchase Example: Total Deposit: £2000 and Agreement Duration: 48 Months. Representative Personal Contract Purchase Example: Total Deposit: £2000 and Agreement Duration: 48 Months and 8000 miles pa. Representative Personal Contract Hire Example: Total Deposit: 12 months initial rental and 5000 miles pa, and Agreement Duration: 48 Months and Admin Fee: £299. Risk based variable lending rates apply with rates starting from 6.9% APR.