Electric Vehicle or Plug-in Hybrid?

Electric Vehicle or Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV’s) ?

So, you’ve decided to look at an electrified vehicle… But do you just want to test the water, or dive right in? Many drivers are contemplating their first steps away from pure combustion vehicles, but is opting for a full EV always the best course of action, or is a plug-in hybrid really the best of both worlds?

What’s right for you will largely come down to how you use your car, but both EVs and PHEVs are available through Tusker’s salary sacrifice scheme that covers everything with one manageable monthly amount.

What is a PHEV?

Standing for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, these vehicles combine electric power with traditional combustion. Having an engine means that you needn’t rely entirely on the battery – a big benefit if charging an EV is difficult. Equally, having the ability to run on electricity for a limited time greatly boosts efficiency, especially when used tactically in an urban environment.

The downsides of a PHEV are that efficiency tends to greatly reduce once the battery is depleted – it goes from an aid to just being extra weight. It’s also worth considering that because PHEVs have petrol or diesel engines under the bonnet as well as electric motors, you will pay a higher rate of Benefit in Kind tax on them than you will with a pure EV. However, in the right circumstances, these vehicles can be the perfect fit to traverse the city on battery power with the reassurance of an engine when venturing further afield without the guarantee of chargers.

Electric Vehicles

The rise of electric vehicles has been rapid, with governments incentivising uptake and their technology now at a stage where many people could make the switch without compromise. Electric cars are not only beneficial for air quality but are also a highly efficient means of travel. The advent of ultra-rapid chargers in thousands of sites across the country, and vehicles with ranges exceeding 300 miles have banished range anxiety.

It is possible to run an EV even without the convenience of home charging, as the public charging network not only now covers a lot of traditional petrol stations, but also supermarkets, gyms, shopping centres and office buildings too. So finding somewhere to charge is getting easier and easier. Another huge benefit to EVs is that you will save a lot of money on Benefit in Kind tax compared to a petrol, diesel or even a hybrid car, meaning that the savings start even before you turn a wheel.

Is an EV or a PHEV right for me?

Providing you regularly charge your PHEV, both hybrids and pure EVs dramatically reduce CO2 emissions and attract pleasingly low BIK rates for company car buyers. Which should find a home on your driveway? Again, it comes down to how you use your car.

An EV is perfect for those who are confident that they will always know where to charge their car, while a PHEV is a good stepping-stone on the way to driving fully electric if you’re regularly travelling hundreds of miles, or waiting for infrastructure to be more comprehensive if you live in a rural area.

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