Should I Get a Hybrid Car Before Going Electric? Here's What You Need to Know
Key Insights
Going directly electric makes more financial sense than using a hybrid as a stepping stone - real-world data shows pure EVs save owners £1,264 annually compared to petrol cars, while hybrids save only £593.
Modern EVs effectively address traditional concerns about range and charging - with 250-350 mile ranges and over 73,000 UK charging points, range anxiety shouldn't dictate choosing a hybrid first.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) often disappoint on running costs - costing £500 more in fuel annually than manufacturers claim and £672 more per year in fuel than equivalent electric vehicles.
EVs offer significantly lower maintenance costs compared to hybrids - with fewer moving parts and no need for oil changes, pure electric vehicles typically cost £100-200 annually to maintain versus £200-400 for hybrids.
Using a hybrid car as a ‘stepping stone’ to electric vehicle ownership might seem logical – but is it really necessary? While hybrid technology once bridged the gap between petrol and electric, the rapid advancement of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure has transformed the automotive landscape.
Modern EVs have effectively addressed previous concerns about range anxiety and charging availability. With over 74,000 public charging points across the UK and many electric cars capable of 300+ mile ranges, the traditional arguments for choosing a hybrid first have become largely outdated. Plus, through salary sacrifice schemes, drivers can now access new EVs at 30-60% less than traditional leasing costs, making the direct transition to electric more affordable than ever.
Whether you're an employer considering implementing an EV scheme or an employee evaluating your next vehicle choice, let's explore why going electric might be your most practical and cost-effective choice in 2025.
Direct EV Adoption in 2025: The Smart Choice
Bypassing the hybrid stage and switching to an electric car is more practical than ever before. While hybrid vehicles were once considered a necessary transition step, the EV landscape has evolved significantly, offering compelling reasons to skip the hybrid phase entirely.
Modern EV Capabilities
Today's electric cars rival or exceed their hybrid counterparts in nearly every aspect of performance. Many affordable models now offer ranges between 250-350 miles on a single charge, effectively eliminating range anxiety for most drivers. Advanced features like rapid charging capabilities mean you can add 150-200 miles of range in just 20-30 minutes at fast-charging stations.
Infrastructure Growth
The UK's charging network has expanded dramatically, with public charging points now more abundant than traditional fuel stations. Urban areas typically offer multiple charging options, from convenient on-street points to rapid chargers at retail locations. Additionally, home charging solutions have become more affordable and accessible, especially when included in salary sacrifice schemes.
Financial Benefits
The cost advantage of going directly electric is particularly compelling through salary sacrifice:
Save 30-60% on your monthly payments compared to traditional car leasing,
Lower running costs with electricity being significantly cheaper than petrol,
Reduced maintenance expenses due to fewer moving parts,
Benefit from low Benefit-in-Kind tax rates (currently just 2%).
Environmental Impact
While hybrids still rely partially on fossil fuels, pure electric vehicles offer a clearer path to reducing your carbon footprint. When paired with renewable energy tariffs for home charging, EVs can significantly lower your environmental impact. For businesses, this supports corporate sustainability goals and demonstrates a genuine commitment to net-zero targets.
Understanding Your Needs
Before deciding whether to skip the hybrid phase and go fully electric, it's important to evaluate your specific circumstances. Let's break down the key factors to consider:
Daily Commute and Regular Usage
Most drivers' daily routines are well within modern EV capabilities, but it’s very important to think about how you plan to use your car day-in day-out:
The average UK commute is under 30 miles round trip,
Even entry-level EVs typically offer 200+ miles of range,
Regular short trips are more efficient in EVs, as hybrids still use petrol for initial acceleration.
Long Journey Requirements
While hybrids might seem appealing for longer trips, modern EVs are equally capable:
As previously mentioned, most new EVs offer 250-350 miles of range,
Rapid charging networks cover all major UK routes,
Smart journey-planning apps make longer trips straightforward,
Many EVs now charge from 10-80% in under 30 minutes.
Home Charging Possibilities
Consider your charging setup options:
Have access to off-street parking? Home charging is ideal and often the cheapest,
Live in a flat or terrace? Many workplace and public charging solutions exist,
Through salary sacrifice, you can include home charger installation in your package.
The Charge Scheme offers additional savings of 20-50% on all charging costs.
Financial Considerations
Pure electric vehicles often make more financial sense than hybrids:
Lower running costs (electricity vs. petrol),
Reduced maintenance (fewer moving parts),
Better tax benefits through salary sacrifice,
Strong residual values in the current market,
Maximum savings on company car tax (2% BiK rate).
Cost Comparison: EVs vs. Hybrids
Now, the section you’ve probably been waiting for: how does the cost of electric cars and hybrid vehicles compare? When evaluating the financial aspects of skipping hybrid vehicles and going straight to electric, it’s important to get stuck into the numbers. Let's break down the key cost factors:
Purchase And Lease Costs
As a general rule, Hybrids are usually cheaper to buy but electric cars are cheaper to run. Saying this, plug-in hybrids can be more expensive than hybrids and pure electric cars.
Using the MG ZS as an example - the Hybrid + version of the ZS would set you back £21,995 to buy new and the electric version of the ZS would cost £30,495. This is a £8,500 difference.
However, through salary sacrifice, electric cars can be on par with their hybrid alternatives. If you were to lease an MG ZS EV through The Electric Car Scheme, you may expect to pay around £338 per month. In the UK, the monthly lease cost for an MG ZS Hybrid can range from £224-276 per month. The two main perks of leasing an EV through a salary sacrifice scheme are:
No large upfront payments are required with salary sacrifice,
Home charging installation can be included in the monthly cost.
Running Costs
Although electric cars are generally more expensive to buy or lease. The pure electric advantage becomes clear in day-to-day expenses:
Electricity costs: approximately 5-8p per mile, depending on where you charge,
Hybrid fuel costs: 12-15p per mile (combined petrol/electric),
Annual fuel savings of approximately £600+ every year,
Additional savings through special EV electricity tariffs.
Real-World Cost Study: The Truth About PHEVs
Recent research by the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit reveals some eye-opening findings about plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) compared to pure electric and petrol cars. Their analysis of the UK's best-selling PHEVs over 8,000 miles showed:
PHEVs cost £500 more per year in fuel than manufacturers claim
While PHEVs do save money compared to petrol cars, the savings are less than promised:
Manufacturers claim: £1,092 annual fuel savings,
Reality: Only £593 in actual savings,
Pure electric vehicles offer significantly better savings:
PHEVs cost £672 more per year to fuel than equivalent electric cars,
Switching from petrol to PHEV saves £593 annually,
Switching from petrol to pure electric saves £1,264 annually – more than double the hybrid savings.
These findings highlight why going directly to electric rather than choosing a hybrid as a stepping stone makes financial sense. Not only do you avoid the inflated running costs of PHEVs, but you also maximise your potential savings from day one.
Maintenance Expenses
EVs typically cost less to maintain than hybrids:
Hybrid maintenance: £300-500 per year because there are two power systems to maintain.
EV maintenance: £100-200 per year (fewer moving parts)
No oil changes are required for EVs,
You may experience reduced brake wear through regenerative braking.
Tax Benefits
Electric cars offer superior tax advantages:
2% Benefit in Kind rate for EVs vs. 8-20% for hybrids,
Potential business tax benefits for employers.
Common Myths That Hold People Back
In 2025, several persistent myths still make people hesitant about skipping hybrids and going straight to electric. Let's address these misconceptions with current facts:
Myth 1: "EVs Aren't Ready for Mainstream Adoption"
Reality:
Modern EVs regularly offer 250-350 miles of range,
Over 73,000 public charging points across the UK,
Rapid charging can add 200 miles in 20-30 minutes,
Most new EVs have sophisticated features like route planning and charging station locators.
Myth 2: "Hybrid Technology is More Proven and Reliable"
Reality:
EVs have simpler powertrains with fewer moving parts,
No complex integration of two different engines,
Battery technology is proven: most manufacturers offer 8-year battery warranties,
Many EVs now show minimal battery degradation even after 100,000 miles.
Myth 3: "Hybrids Are Better for Long Journeys"
Reality:
Modern EVs often outperform hybrids on the range,
No need to carry two powertrains (electric and petrol),
The rapid charging network covers all major UK routes,
Real example: A Tesla Model Y can travel from London to Edinburgh with just one 20-minute charging stop,
PHEVs often need both charging and fuel stops on long journeys, which isn’t necessarily ideal.
Myth 4: "Hybrids Save More Money"
Reality: The ECIU study clearly shows:
Pure EVs save £1,264 annually vs. petrol cars,
PHEVs only save £593 annually vs. petrol cars,
PHEVs cost £672 more per year to fuel than equivalent EVs,
Through salary sacrifice, EV savings are even greater,
Lower maintenance costs with a pure electric car.
Making Your Decision
As you consider skipping the hybrid phase to go straight to electric, here's a practical framework that should help guide your decision:
Assessment Checklist
Consider the following:
Daily Driving Needs
What's your typical daily mileage?
Do you regularly make longer journeys?
Do you have access to home or workplace charging?
Financial Considerations
Is salary sacrifice available through your employer?
Could save 30-60% on monthly payments,
Home charger installation can be included,
The Charge Scheme offers 20-50% off charging costs.
Have you calculated your potential savings?
£1,264 average annual fuel savings vs. petrol,
Lower maintenance costs,
2% Benefit in Kind tax rate,
Lower road tax.
Practical Factors
Where will you mainly charge?
Home charging is typically the cheapest,
Workplace charging is often subsidised,
Public charging network for longer trips.
What's your parking situation?
Off-street parking is ideal for home charging,
A growing number of on-street solutions are available.
Do you need specific features?
Range requirements,
Boot space,
Seating capacity.
Next Steps
Research Available Models
Use our electric car calculator to explore options and see how much you can save through salary sacrifice,
Compare specifications and features,
Read real-world driver experiences.
Speak With Your Employer
Ask about implementing salary sacrifice,
Discuss workplace charging options,
Explore The Electric Car Scheme benefits.
Plan Your Charging Strategy
Research home charging installation,
Identify local public charging points,
Consider signing up for charging networks.
How The Electric Car Scheme Can Help
We're here to support your transition to electric:
Free consultations to understand your needs,
Access to the UK's best EV prices through salary sacrifice,
Complete risk protection included,
Charging solutions and support,
Dedicated customer service throughout your journey.
Ready to make the switch? Get an instant quote or convince your company to join The Electric Car Scheme today.
Last updated 19.02.25
