

While General Motors created a number of running prototypes, from the late-1960s, mainly from a need to beat stringent California smog restrictions, it was Renault that led the field in Europe, with a plug-in hybrid version of its Kangoo light van in 2003.
#Best plug in hybrid under 20k generator#
His car featured two front-hub driven electric motors at the outset, although a later development used one motor per wheel that was powered by the on-board batteries, with a petrol-engine generator providing back-up. It was the same Ferdinand Porsche, whom would associate with Adolf Hitler to create the Volks Wagen (People’s Car) and one of the most popular, post-WW2, high performance sportscar brands in the world. As early as 1899, the Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid could be charged from an external source, bearing in mind that many properties were still using gas filament lighting at the time. The technology, in reality, is anything but novel. In fact, there are now in excess of 50 different makes and models of PHEVs available, with the market lead being taken by the ‘poster boy’ Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, which has claimed its status on the back of oft questioned but always justified advertising campaigns. The acceleration rate of model developments was significantly speedier than for conventional hybrids, i.e. While a direct association with an ICE also forms part of the equation, it is perfectly understandable, when contemplating a still growing recharging network in the UK, as there are still large geographical areas, where EV impact is yet to be felt.Īlthough Volvo had tinkered with PHEV technology as early as 2005, it would be another five years before both Chinese and North American markets would introduce it to their inhabitants. ‘Greenergy’ halo-wearers can justify their choices, limited though they may be, with a simple remit of driving with prioritised electric power, rather than fossil-fuels.

Buy on condition and service history, rather than mileage, and take your time – there are plenty of used hybrid cars to choose from.Plug-in hybridisation is a measured means by which a motorist can offset tailpipe emissions to the generators that power the National Grid. Indeed, so trusted is the technology, they may prove a better bet in the long-term. However, even if you choose an alternative marque, it is unlikely a hybrid will prove any less reliable than a regular combustion car. These include Japanese brands such as Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi, and Korean brands Hyundai and Kia. The most reliable used hybrid cars generally come from companies with an already proven reputation. What is the most reliable used hybrid car? They don’t require particularly expensive maintenance and the batteries of even the earliest hybrid cars are proving to be robust and dependable. Even after many years, they continue to give reliable, wallet-friendly service. Toyota has sold millions of cars with its Hybrid Synergy Drive system, including the ever-popular Prius.

if your typical daily mileage is low enough for the car to be driven solely on battery power, this could mean serious savings Are used hybrid cars expensive to maintain?īoth hybrid and plug-in hybrid technologies are very well proven by now. If you choose a used plug-in hybrid, you can make significant savings on fuel, given how much cheaper electricity is than petrol or diesel. However, the savings in fuel costs very often make the extra upfront expense worth it, while lower CO2 emissions mean they cost less to tax. Used hybrids can cost a bit more than a comparable petrol or diesel car.

Such is the variety on the market, you can opt for anything from a small city car all the way to large, luxurious SUV. We’ve taken a look at some of the best used hybrid cars on the market, and have featured both plug-in and regular hybrids. This means that for short journeys, you hardly ever need to use the petrol engine – but it’s there if you run out of charge or want to drive longer distances. As the name suggests, you can plug them in to the mains to recharge. Plug-in hybrids have larger batteries and can therefore go further in electric mode – often more than 30 miles.
#Best plug in hybrid under 20k full#
Regular hybrids – often known as full hybrids or ‘self-charging’ hybrids use a petrol engine with a small electric motor and battery, allowing short distances (a few miles at most) in pure electric mode. Several manufacturers have sold petrol/electric hybrids for more than a decade, and that means there’s lots of choice when it comes to used hybrid cars. Best used hybrid cars 2023 While the wholesale introduction of electric cars to the UK is a relatively new phenomenon, the arrival of hybrid cars isn’t.
