Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

A plug-in hybrid sits between a regular hybrid and a full EV. It has a larger battery that you can charge from a plug, giving a real electric-only range — often enough for short daily trips — before the petrol engine takes over for longer distances.

The appeal is flexibility. Charge it overnight and your city driving can be almost entirely electric and very cheap to run; head out on a long motorway journey and it simply behaves like an efficient hybrid, with no fear of running out of charge.

The catch is that you only get the full benefit if you actually plug it in. Left uncharged, a PHEV carries the weight of its battery around on petrol power and is less efficient than a simple hybrid, so the charging habit matters.

For a renter, a PHEV is a nice middle ground if you have somewhere to charge — a hotel with a charger, for instance. If you cannot charge it conveniently, a normal hybrid gives you most of the everyday benefit with none of the homework.