Hybrid car leasing

The main difference between an electric and hybrid is the way the vehicle is powered.

As the name suggests, an electric vehicle (EV) uses electricity to power the vehicle. For an electric car to function, you must plug it into a charge point to take electricity from the grid. 

A hybrid is a partially electrified vehicle which uses an electric motor and a conventional petrol or diesel engine to drive the wheels. Depending on the type of hybrid, some hybrid vehicles (known as plug-in hybrids or PHEVs) need to be plugged into an electrical power source for the electric motor to work, while others (known as mild hybrids, full hybrids or self-charging hybrids) automatically charge the vehicle’s battery whilst ‘on the move’. 

You can find out more about the difference between electric and hybrids in our handy Electric vs Hybrid guide. 

Hybrid cars are powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE), an electric motor and a small battery pack which drive the car, either simultaneously or independently. Unlike an electric car which uses electric alone for power, a hybrid vehicle uses both engines – the electric motor and gasoline engine – to power the vehicle. This means that if you run out of electric power, you can still run the vehicle using the gasoline (petrol or diesel) engine. 

There are three different types of hybrid cars available in the UK: mild hybrid, full hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV). 

A mild hybrid car combines a traditional petrol or diesel engine with a small electric motor but cannot drive under electric power alone, the electric motor is purely there to improve the engine’s efficiency. 

A full hybrid car can drive under its own electric, powering the vehicle independently at low speeds (usually up to 15mph) for short distances. It does not need to be plugged into a power source like an EV or PHEV vehicle as they automatically recharge their battery whilst ‘on the move’. 

A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) uses the same technology as a full hybrid but as the name suggests, it must be plugged into a power source to charge the battery. A PHEV can travel further using only electric power, with most PHEVs offering an electric-only range of around 30 miles. 

For more information on hybrid cars, discover our Ultimate Hybrid Car FAQs.

Whether you need to charge your hybrid car depends on the type of hybrid vehicle you have. Mild hybrids and full hybrids are charged automatically without any intervention by the driver, using regenerative braking.

However, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) need to be plugged into an electric charge point to top up the battery. Charging a hybrid car in this category can be done at an EV charging point or via a domestic three-pin plug.

To seamlessly combine the electric motor with the internal combustion engine, almost all hybrid vehicles have an automatic gearbox. Mostly these tend to be CVT – continuously variable transmissions – which is a type of single-speed automatic gearbox. 

Under the current guidelines, selected hybrid cars are exempt from London’s Congestion Charge, which is known as the Cleaner Vehicle Discount. To qualify for exemption, vehicles must be: 

• An electric car
• Emit no more than 75g/km
• Meet Euro 6 emission standards 
• Have a minimum 20-mile zero emission capable range 

From 2021, plug-in hybrid vehicles will no longer be exempt from the London congestion charge as part of a new package of measures aimed at tackling congestion and improving air quality. 

Hybrid cars generally save fuel compared to petrol or diesel cars by using an electric motor to assist the engine, capturing energy through regenerative braking, and employing idle stop-start technology. These features reduce the engine's workload and optimise performance, making hybrids especially efficient in city driving conditions. As a result, hybrids typically offer better fuel economy, making them a cost-effective choice for many drivers. 

The leasing process does not differ for hybrid cars. You will enjoy the same contract and excellent customer service when arranging a hybrid car lease with us. For the best hybrid car leasing deals, regularly check our website or consult with your sales adviser to find the latest offers and options that fit your budget. 

Hybrid vehicles offer significant tax benefits, especially for company car drivers. These drivers pay less Benefit-In-Kind (BIK) tax compared to those with petrol or diesel cars. Additionally, vehicles emitting less than 75g/km qualify for an exemption from the London Congestion Charge.