What is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)?

PHEVs offer the zero-emission benefits of electric cars on shorter journeys, but with the convenience and quick refuelling of a petrol or diesel engine for longer trips. But how does a plug-in hybrid work and are they worth it? This handy guide explains everything you need to know.

What is a plug-in hybrid?

A plug-in hybrid is a type of car that uses both an electric motor and traditional combustion engine, with the electric motor’s battery charged by plugging from an external power source. This gives you a certain amount of zero-emissions range, for which you can drive around without using the engine.

Once the battery runs out, the combustion engine kicks in. So, for short distances, you’ve got all the benefits of driving an electric car without having to worry about charging whenever you do a longer journey.

How does a plug-in hybrid car work?

A PHEV is similar to a conventional ‘self-charging’ hybrid car, but instead of a small battery that’s charged by the car’s petrol or diesel engine, it has a larger battery that you can plug into a dedicated electric-car charger.

The bigger battery in most PHEVs has the added bonus of giving you a greater electric-only range than most conventional hybrid cars. On average, a PHEV can go between 20 and 40 miles before the petrol engine kicks in and takes over but some can cover more than 70 miles.

While the engine will charge up the battery slightly to give you a boost where needed, you’ll need to plug your PHEV into a charge point to realise its full potential. You can charge it from a household 3-pin plug, but this will take a very long time. You’d be better off having a fast charger installed at your home.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of plug-in hybrid cars?

There are a few factors to consider before buying a PHEV.

Advantages of a plug-in hybrid

• The main advantage of a PHEV is its electric-only range, typically 20-40 miles, with some models reaching up to 70 miles – enough for most daily commutes.
• The combination of electric and petrol/diesel engines eliminates range anxiety, allowing for longer trips without charging concerns.
• You can enjoy lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rates for PHEVs, with rates based on CO2 emissions starting in the 2028/29 tax year (18% for 1-50g/km CO2 emissions).

Disadvantages of a plug-in hybrid

• Thanks to recent changes in road tax, taxing a typical PHEV will now cost between £10 and £130 for the first year (depending on the car’s emissions), and £145 per year thereafter. Cars over £40,000 will incur an additional £355 annual charge for five years.
• PHEVs can be less fuel-efficient on long journeys due to the added battery weight. Some models use smaller fuel tanks, leading to more frequent refueling stops.
• Plug-in hybrids tend to be a lot more expensive to buy than a conventionally powered alternative.
• To maximise the EV range daily, you’ll need overnight access to a charging point. While the UK’s charging network is growing, finding a charger can be challenging without off-street parking.

What cars are plug-in hybrids?

Fortunately, if you’re interested in a plug-in hybrid, they are available to buy in the UK until 2035. Here are three great examples of plug-in hybrids.

Skoda Superb Estate iV

The Skoda Superb estate has enough passenger and boot space to take on everything you and the kids can throw at it, and it’s supremely comfortable to drive as well. The plug-in hybrid will give you a whopping 84 miles of pure-electric range, although this version does get a slightly smaller boot than the petrol and diesel options thanks to the added electrical gubbins under the floor.

BMW X5

The BMW X5 has a beautifully-made and stylish interior, plenty of space and it’s great fun to drive. The plug-in hybrid is the only version which will be exempt from the 2030 ban, but it’s powerful and economical. Be aware that the X5 gets pretty expensive when you start ticking the options list, though.

Hyundai Santa Fe

The Hyundai Santa Fe is the best SUV you can buy right now, which is why it was crowned Carwow Car Of The Year for 2025. It’s hugely practical, lovely to drive and the interior is a great place to spend time. It’s available with a plug-in hybrid system which will do around 30 miles on electric power alone.

What is the difference between hybrid and plug-in hybrid?

Traditional hybrid cars (like the self-charging hybrids) can recharge their batteries through regenerative braking and the internal combustion engine. Meanwhile, plug-in hybrids have larger batteries that require external charging via a power outlet.

Are plug-in hybrids worth it?

This really depends on what you need a car for. A PHEV is a great choice if the majority of your journeys are less than a 40-mile round trip, but you still need to be able to do the occasional long-distance drive.

This way you get the cheap running costs of an electric car today, but you don’t have the range anxiety on longer runs you may get with a pure EV.

If you spend most of your time in the car slogging up and down the motorway for hundreds of miles at a time, you may be better off with a conventional petrol- or diesel-powered car. Due to the extra weight of the batteries in a PHEV, they tend to be worse on fuel once the batteries are flat than a non-hybrid car.

If all you need is something for short trips or anything less than 200 miles all around, it may be worth switching to an electric car.

Plug-in hybrid car (PHEV) FAQs

Can a plug-in hybrid run on electricity only?

Yes, as long as you keep it charged up. Typically, a PHEV will have an electric-only range of between 20 and 70 miles, but some can manage more than 70 miles before they need to use their onboard petrol or diesel engine.

Do plug-in hybrids charge while driving?

The engine in a PHEV will charge the batteries slightly to give you a boost when you need it, but due to the larger battery pack, it won’t charge all the way up. You need to plug your PHEV in to get the full zero-emission benefits that come with it.

What happens if you don’t charge a plug-in hybrid?

It’s possible to drive your PHEV without charging it, but it defeats the point of owning one. Your fuel consumption will be much higher than the manufacturer’s claimed figure because the engine is designed to work in tandem with a charged battery and electric motors – not on its own.

How much does a plug-in hybrid cost to buy?

A PHEV will cost more to buy than a traditional petrol or diesel car due to the extra batteries and electric components. However, over the time you own the car you may save enough money on running costs that it outweighs the initial outlay.

How much does a plug-in hybrid cost to run?

This depends on what you use your car for. If you’re mainly using it around town on electric power alone, this is where it will be the cheapest. On average, running an electric car will cost you 5p per mile, assuming you charge up at home for a rate of 14p per kilowatt-hour. This is compared to around 12p per mile for an equivalent petrol-powered car.

Once the battery has run out and the engine kicks in, you may find the fuel consumption slightly higher than a conventional hybrid or non-hybrid car.

Do you have to charge a plug-in hybrid?

Yes, you need to charge a plug-in hybrid, as they have larger batteries that need to be plugged in and charged like EVs so you can take full advantage of their electric capabilities.

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