Overview
- ECIU, whose study drew wide coverage Tuesday, found the 10 best-selling plug-in hybrids in the UK average £4,150 more than comparable electric cars.
- The analysis estimates real-world petrol use is nearly six times official claims for many plug-in hybrids, adding about £620 a year in fuel versus an equivalent EV, a gap critics say catches drivers seeking savings.
- Despite the cost gap, plug-in hybrids grew to a 13% market share in March, up from 9.5% a year earlier, according to SMMT data.
- SMMT chief Mike Hawes defended plug-in hybrids as a step toward full electrification and noted testing follows a government-verified standard, while current zero-emission sales rules still allow flexibilities that benefit these models.
- Separate Autotrader data last week showed new electric cars now undercut petrol models on average, helped by grants and heavy discounting, which could pull more buyers toward full battery vehicles.