Electric vs plug-in hybrid vs petrol: which should you buy next?

Trying to decide between electric, plug-in hybrid and petrol power for your next car? There are pros and cons associated with all three, relating to different purchase prices, running costs, range and ownership experiences. In this comparison video, Rich and Nic guide you through all you need to know, including crunching all the most important numbers, to help you decide which one will best suit your current circumstances.

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00:00 - Introduction
01:02 - Prices
02:25 - Range and charging
04:30 - Running costs
07:44 - Electric - driving and owning
08:42 - PHEV - driving and owning
09:30 - Petrol - driving and owning
10:42 - Verdict

[PrezidentHughes]

I would love to go electric. But I live in a flat so changing is very inconvenient and second hand battery performance is also a concern.

[Traderhorn]

Don’t think the low electricity price paid now will remain, Government will tax electricity for EV use to recoup the duty and VAT paid now on petrol/Diesel.

[darrenburrows-taurus]

It'd be interesting to do an updated video showing the true comparison of running costs across the three based on today's much higher petrol & household electricity prices 👍

[laserjet]

Very clarifying video!!!! Keep the good job, guys!!!! 💪🏻

[j.azz]

How would the yearly servicing costs compare across the three versions? And is long-term reliability a concern on PHEVs due to the added drive-train complexity?

[djomanchester]

Petrol ⛽ 👍 There is no way electric infrastructure will be ready in just 9 years for the volume of cars expected. Hydrogen all the way if I had to pick new energy source. Oh I live in a flat where do I plug in? What do people with lower income buy? 😁

[bigbadd]

Superb detail, guys! This is what we punters crave.

[jamesinbradford]

I’ve tested all 3 in Petrol, the rear seats are suitable for small children only ! The Mokka was the best but like the Ford Puma I banged my head getting in the back.

[misterhoeflak]

Very useful review guys! Suspect the cost of electricity will rise over time, as more people switch to electric driving, but even then...

[swainlette]

Might be a stupid question but I’m disabled so don’t drive particularly long distance and not every day.
If I were to get a hybrid how long does the charge last in the electric battery, I’m able to charge it on my drive but there’s no point if I have to do this every time I want to go out but haven’t driven for the last 2-3 days.
Thanks.

[leeanderson]

I fail to understand why reviewers distort the cost of running a car by including a deposit. In this case £5k. After your lease is up you have to find another £5k!! And will that be another £5k after 12, 24, 36 or 48 months? The prices quoted should be the total cost of ownership across the lease period (stating how long it is too) inclusive of deposit and any admin fees to give a balanced view for people who are considering purchase. Cost is one of the primary factors for any normal person who is not a multi-millionaire.

[oblivionlcf]

I don't know the capturs' programming when the battery is depleted but most, if not all PHEVs run like regular hybrids when there is low power in the batteries. So fuel efficiency is still a factor.

[stevencampbell]

Sorry but ALL of the cars shown are waaaay too expensive to buy outright and I for one won't be going PCP on a restricted mileage and in addition to that it'll still be possible to get diesel and petrol cars after 2030 you just won't be able to get a new one. I'm sorry but none of these cars are of any use to me as a motorway driver where diesel is still king.

[simonturner]

Hi Petrol ped love your videos because your super informative. I've just purchased a mg hs phev. And a volvo t8 phev because of your videos like this. One thing I would say is I can't imagine having an ev with 2 young children as a journey would become a nightmare. After all they do things on thier terms not ours. So for me like you .much prefer plug in. You are a true leg end lol

[josephorme-dawson]

Credit where its due, at last someone is doing exact comparisons on £ per mile on Electric vs Petrol. I know its probably quite easy to work out 1kw vs 1mpg and putting it in £s but im glad you have taken the initiative on telling us in the video.

[Bugside]

Around here we only can afford USED cars, when everything is electric with BATTERY DEGRADATION we're all SCREWED

[michaelcourtney]

So the electric car costs £32, 550 and costs £333 a year to charge enough to drive 10, 000 miles. The petrol car costs £27, 445 and costs £1177 in fuel to also drive £10, 000 miles. The electric car is £5105 more expensive but you save £844 a year charging it compared to fueling the petrol. The problem is for it to finally start being cheaper than getting the petrol car overall, you need to own it for 6 years and 4 months.

[karmanline]

Would be intersting to re-edit this video with latest prices. Also, it would be helpful to put up the numbers for the models simultaneously to make the comparison clearer

[acptelford]

So, at the moment I go on a camping holiday once a year, car fully loaded up and towing a small trailer. it is exactly 1, 000 miles to the campsite (South of France), I stop once, maybe twice for a comfort break and it takes me roughly 20 hours and I average 52mpg. With an electric car what will I have to do? I’m thinking I will use half my 2 week holiday stopping to charge the car.

[VladLazar]

Thank god that I am subscribed already, I don't want to mess with her angry!!!