The UK government intends to reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions, and a portion of that reduction is related to transportation. As a means of making this happen, most motorists are expected to switch to electric cars. As a result, a sales ban on non-hybrid petrol and diesel cars will come into force in 2030.

Diesel cars are gradually vanishing from the manufacturer ranges, with only petrol cars available until 2030. For electric cars to be widely owned by 2030, many infrastructure improvements will be needed. As part of the transition to fully electric motoring, hybrid petrol and diesel cars are likely to remain a key component.

Diesel and Petrol cars

These are the traditional cars out in the market. Powered by either petrol or diesel, it emits a lot of CO2 causing environmental damages which contribute to global warming. The drive of the UK government to shift to more environment-friendly transportation is a response to the harm made by these vehicles. While it poses a lot of risks, diesel and petrol are two of the cheapest sources of power compared to rechargeable batteries and their related accessories.

Hybrid cars

One of the main features of a hybrid car is that it has both a petrol and diesel engine. A computer determines when the different elements take over, whether they use the electric motor alone, just the engine, or both. Despite the relatively small size of the onboard battery in a hybrid car, the battery is easily charged when the engine or electricity is being generated when the vehicle is coasting or braking. This is why 'self-charging hybrids' refer to these kinds of cars, and it is easily understood that its purpose is to distinguish them from plug-in hybrids.

Since hybrid cars can only drive a short distance on batteries alone, usually a mile or two, they are best suited for city driving. When traffic is congested, you can power along in electric mode without adding to the smog, but when congestion eases, the engine kicks in to do most of the job.

For many, hybrid manufacturer claims concerning mpg and CO2 emissions can be overly optimistic, but for company-car taxpayers, the official figures can be vitally important. For the hybrid version of a traditionally powered car of equal value, you can pay a lot less company car tax.

Additionally, hybrids and mild hybrids have the advantage of not requiring drivers to change their habits. EV batteries still need to be charged at a fuel station, but there are no plugs, cables or complicated charging systems to learn. As well as being less expensive, hybrids have been around for a while, so there are also a lot of options.

Plug-in hybrid cars

An electric plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) has many of the same elements as a hybrid car, except for its extra battery and electric motor. One major difference is the larger battery, which allows PHEVs to drive farther on only electric power. Unlike a regular hybrid, the vehicle cannot recharge its battery as it drives. PHEVs, like fully electric cars, must be plugged in to recharge their batteries.

PHEVs typically offer a range of 20 to 50 miles on a single charge, depending on the specs. Your journey can only be continued by a petrol or diesel engine if your battery has run out. While PHEVs will not be helpful until they have been plugged in for several hours to recharge, a petrol or diesel engine will happily power a PHEV all day long.

With the PHEV, drivers will have access to low-cost, carbon-efficient electric power without always depending on the UK's still-developing charging infrastructure to complete a journey.

A flat battery can reduce your car's performance and cause you to spend more on fuel than a petrol car if you make lots of long trips. PHEVs might not seem so smart under such conditions, since the plug-in components can weigh enough to alter the handling of the car.

In terms of performance, many PHEVs offer startling acceleration, just like fully electric cars. Due to PHEV's extremely low emissions figures, PHEVs attract even lower company-tax rates than standard hybrids, even though the technology is still relatively expensive and only found on top models. Therefore, it's a great way for manufacturers to offer high-performance cars to business users.

Electric Cars

It is already becoming increasingly difficult for car manufacturers to meet the demand for electric cars as the number of electric cars on UK roads grows rapidly. Modern vehicles range from superminis and city cars to family hatchbacks, executive cars, and even SUVs with self-driving electric motors. In addition to the fact that you can get an electric car to suit a wide range of budgets, they're all connected by the fact that you can't drive anywhere without charging the battery.

The length of time it takes to charge your car depends on the size of the battery and the rate at which it can be charged, whether you can charge it at home or a public charging station. Depending on the size of your car's battery, you will have a limited driving range as well, so you should choose a model that is suitable for your vehicle

A fully electric car is what the government wants, so hybrids and PHEVs are a step in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go before cars become carbon-free. The government's plug-in car grant offers up to £1,500 off the list price of most electric cars under £32,000, a reduction of up to 15% for hybrids and electric vehicles. Previous governments have incentivized both hybrids and electric vehicles.

As a car owner of an electric vehicle, you will reap the benefits of ultra-low running costs, as well as a relaxing and nearly noiseless drive. It will take some getting used to dragging a cable across your garage, driveway, or sometimes the road to keep the battery charged.

In the end, the best car that suits you depends on your dispensable budget and the infrastructure and equipment needed to run it. If you have the wherewithal to do so, you can opt for the EV as it is cheap and run by clean energy but with only limited sources of power. Nonetheless, the shift towards an electric vehicle will be gradual and will take a lot of infrastructural development, if you want to learn more, contact one of our experts to help guide you in selecting the right vehicle for you.