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48 Phonebox Magazine | February 2025Phonebox Motoringwith Tom JohnstonThe charge towards an electric motoring future gathers pace month by month, year by year as 2030%u2019s switchover %u2013 where sales of petrol and diesel cars will no longer be allowed in the UK %u2013 comes ever closer.And, while there is still disquiet about the general infrastructure and number of places where drivers can re-charge their cars on a journey, the drive towards EVs (electric vehicles) won%u2019t be slowing down any time soon.But not everyone wants to give up their petrol or diesel to take the giant leap into an allelectric car just yet. But no worry, you don%u2019t have to. A hybrid car could be the solution you%u2019re searching for.A hybrid car is neither a pure combustion engine car nor a pure electric. It%u2019s a bit of both, using traditional fuel (usually petrol but occasionally diesel) coupled with an electric motor. There%u2019s more than one type of hybrid available to buy and the manufacturers are vying with each other to fi nd and build the best combination.As well as being greener and more environmentally-friendly, hybrids return better fuel economy because the electric motor is doing a lot of the work that the petrol engine would have been doing. Tailpipe emissions (CO2) are lower which should exempt you from road charges such as the London ULEZ (ultra-low emission zone) tariff . And there are tax incentives for low emissions cars including lower BIK (benefi t in kind) for company car drivers.DIFFERENT TYPES OF HYBRID> FULL HYBRID %u2013 the most common type of hybrid car, they use the petrol engine and electric motor side by side, switching between the two as conditions demand. For example, the electric motor might drive the car through a busy town and then, once on the open road or motorway, the petrol engine kicks in.>MILD HYBRID %u2013 you can%u2019t drive around under electric power alone with a mild hybrid. The battery-powered motor helps the petrol engine when needed, such as pulling away or accelerating hard. This takes much of the strain away from the engine and therefore reduces fuel use. They charge their battery by harvesting energy when braking (regenerative braking).>SERIES HYBRID %u2013 it feels like you%u2019re driving an electric car all the time, but there is still a petrol engine lurking under the bonnet. This sends power to the batteries that keep the electric motor going. You barely notice the petrol engine running but it%u2019s there, monitoring the demands on the motor and providing just the right power for it.>PLUG-IN HYBRID %u2013 you connect this car to a power souce (usually overnight) to recharge its battery. This then powers the car until it runs out, at which point the petrol engine kicks in. The engine will also charge the battery while you%u2019re driving the car (along with the regen brakes). These are closest to true electric cars and are especially good for short distances or town motoring.SIX HYBRIDS WORTH CONSIDERING:HONDA CIVIC E:HEV%u2013 the Japanese car maker has been building the Civic since 1972, so there%u2019s more than 50 years%u2019 experience and know-how on show. This modern hybrid uses a 2.0-litre petrol engine coupled with an electric motor. That means lively, sporty performance but with near-60 mpg fuel economy. Price guide: %u00a337,000MG3 HYBRID+ %u2013 you spend a lot of time driving as if in a pure electric car with MG%u2019s 3 model. But, if it%u2019s required, a 1.5-litre petrol engine is there almost as a back-up. The engine acts like a generator to recharge the battery on the move but will also burst into life if you suddenly need more performance, working in tandem with the electric power. Price guide: %u00a319,000RENAULT CLIO E-TECH %u2013 the latest in a long and successful line of Clios has been smartly face-lifted to bring it up to date in terms of looks, and with a hybrid version too. Powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine, the hatchback hybrid also employs an electric motor for more torque and improved fuel economy of way over 60 mpg. Price guide: %u00a325,000HYUNDAI TUCSON %u2013 there are diff erent versions of hybrid in Hyundai%u2019s wide Tucson range and lots of choice all-round. All models use the same 1.6-litre petrol engine which is ably assisted by the electric motor for a smooth power surge and lower fuel costs when the car is in electric mode. Five seats and a big boot make it a good family choice. Price guide: %u00a332,000TOYOTA COROLLA %u2013 a 1.8-litre or 2.0-litre petrol engine operates alongside your Corolla%u2019s power pack and motor. The larger engine version gives an especially good balance of performance and economy of around 60 mpg. The Corolla is another model that has been around for donkey%u2019s years. It%u2019s comfortable and well built. Price guide: %u00a335,000BMW X5 XDRIVE50E %u2013 if you need a larger SUV in your life, and have the money to pay for it, BMW%u2019s X5 hybrid is well worth a look. Big, versatile and high powered, the X5 matches a 3.0-litre, six cylinder petrol engine with a potent electric motor. Stunning performance includes 0-62 mph in 4.8 seconds, but with running costs you%u2019d expect from a hybrid. Price guide: %u00a380,000HY TIME FOR A Interested in the growing move towards electric cars but not ready to turn your back completely on the fuel pump in favour of the plug socket? A hybrid could be the car for you. So what%u2019s available?