A hybrid vehicle can run on both petrol/diesel and electric power. They are a cheaper alternative to a fully electric vehicle and provide the benefits of having better fuel economy and reduced impact on the environment than a standard car with only a petrol or diesel motor.
There are 2 types of hybrid vehicles:
- non-plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)
- plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)
Non-plug-in hybrid electric vehicles do not need to be plugged into an outlet. They use the electricity generated by driving the car, such as from the braking system or kinetic energy when you stop accelerating, to recharge the battery. These types of vehicles run on electric power only when the vehicle is driving at low speeds.
The fuel type for non-plug-in hybrid electric vehicles is listed as ‘electric/petrol’ or ‘electric/diesel’ on the Green Vehicle Guide.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles have a battery that can be plugged into a power outlet or charging station and they also have a petrol or diesel engine, allowing you to refuel at a traditional service station. Plug-in hybrids can travel further on electric power than non-plug-in hybrids.
The fuel type for plug-in hybrid vehicles is listed as ‘plug-in electric/petrol’ or ‘plug-in electric/diesel’ on the Green Vehicle Guide.
