Benefits of Hybrid Car Leasing
Here are some of the main benefits of leasing a hybrid car:
- Environmentally conscious drivers will be happy to know that hybrid cars are more environmentally friendly than the equivalent petrol or diesel car. This is because they produce fewer emissions and therefore are a greener, cleaner option.
- Hybrid cars can offer the driving performance (and experience) of a combustion engine coupled with enhanced economy. For those with urban-style driving conditions, the electric element will assist where there are low speeds.
- For company car drivers, a hybrid will offer an improved position on CO2. This will assist when calculating BIK/company car tax exposure.
- Hybrid cars can use less fuel to run and therefore are less dependent on fossil fuels. With the rising price of fuel, drivers of hybrid cars can take this as a little win.
- Range anxiety isn’t an issue with hybrid cars because they are able to operate using the conventional combustion engine if the electric range is insufficient.
What are the different types of hybrid cars?
Hybrid cars are a type of vehicle that combines traditional petrol-powered engines with electric power. These vehicles have been gaining popularity in recent years due to their excellent fuel efficiency and low environmental impact. There are four different types of hybrid cars on the market today, each with its own unique set of features.
Series hybrid cars
The electric motor drives the wheels in a series hybrid, while the petrol engine powers a generator that generates electricity and charges the battery. The petrol engine is only used to deliver energy to the electric motor, not to push the vehicle forward. This makes series hybrid cars highly efficient and reliable, since the gasoline engine does not directly drive the wheels or require any regular fuel input.
Series hybrids can combine the two power sources or drive for short distances solely on battery power. It's because of this that they're particularly effective in stop-and-go city traffic. When the battery runs out or the automobile requires additional power to accelerate, the petrol engine comes in.
Parallel hybrid
The petrol engine and electric motor are coupled in a parallel hybrid, allowing them to work together to power the vehicle. The petrol engine does the majority of the work, while the electric motor assists.
The key distinction from series hybrids is that the petrol engine drives the vehicle rather than generating electricity. This type is the most affordable to manufacture and purchase, however it is less fuel efficient than 'full' series hybrids.
Series-parallel hybrid
These are a blend of the first two types. The car can be driven solely on fuel, solely on electricity, or a combination of both. Like a series hybrid, the petrol engine also charges the battery.
In typical driving, the petrol engine is the major source of power, with the electric motor providing a boost when necessary, such as during overtaking. In slow-moving city traffic, though, the battery takes control. As a result, series-parallel hybrids can run entirely on electricity, but only at lower speeds.
Plug-in hybrid cars
A plug-in hybrid car, often known as a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), is a modern vehicle that is more similar to an electric vehicle. The battery can be charged either by the petrol engine or by plugging it into an external power source such as a charging station. Because the batteries in PHEVs are typically much larger than those in normal hybrids, they can go further on battery power alone.
Hybrid cars are powered by a combination of petrol and electricity. This means they use less fuel than regular petrol cars, making them more fuel efficient. This also means that they emit fewer greenhouse gases, lowering car taxes and aiding the environment. However, real-world fuel efficiency, emissions, and miles per gallon (MPG) will vary depending on the hybrid type, as well as speed and driving style.
Other technologies, such as Continuously Variable Transmission, are also used to improve fuel efficiency in the cars (CTV). This optimises engine speeds and gear shifts for maximum economy automatically.
