Since the emergence of hybrids around 20 years ago, in the UK, they have remained relatively unfamiliar to many people and are still in the minority of preferred vehicles. Many people still wonder about their cost/benefit ratio and are unsure if a hybrid is right for them. Over time legislation will continue to tighten the reigns on fuel emissions and pollution, so if you are one of the many wondering, if it is time to make the switch to a Hybrid vehicle, then here is a bit of information to help you decide if it is right for you.

There are a few things to consider before making this decision. First of all, there are two types of Hybrids, plug-in and range-extender. The names are somewhat self-explanatory. Plug-ins require being hooked up to a power source when not in use to charge the electric engine for travel and if the batter runs out during use, it will switch over to the combustion engine.

The range-extender uses the combustion engine to charge the electric battery when it runs low, instead of being used to drive the car, so you can travel further on electric power. Either way, for optimised savings and usage, Hybrids are best suited to Urban environments or people who typically travel short distances on a daily basis.

Some key pros and cons:

Pros:
• Minimal tax bills
• Most qualify to be congestion charge free
• No fuel costs if driven only on electric power

Cons:
• More expensive than most combustion engine vehicles
• Charging times
• Limited electric range