How many types of hybrid cars are there and what do they mean?
I would like to buy a new or nearly new car (not older than 2019) but do not want a fully electric car as I do not have the facility to charge it at home. I don't understand what the different types of hybrid cars mean in practice? I thought I could have an electric car that can work on electric most of the time and I would not get stuck on the side of the road, without charge, because I also have a small petrol reserve. Are such cars more expensive because they have to have a combustion engine as well as the electric one?
I currently have a petrol 2010 Yaris, bought in 2014, and would like a similar sized car with a slightly higher driving position that makes it easy to get in and out of. I don't want keyless entry and start as that makes it too easy for criminals to steal, as many of my neighbours with new/ish cars can testify.
Which car models should I consider? What sort of price should I expect to pay? Which cars are the least desirable to criminals?
I currently have a petrol 2010 Yaris, bought in 2014, and would like a similar sized car with a slightly higher driving position that makes it easy to get in and out of. I don't want keyless entry and start as that makes it too easy for criminals to steal, as many of my neighbours with new/ish cars can testify.
Which car models should I consider? What sort of price should I expect to pay? Which cars are the least desirable to criminals?
Asked on 1 June 2023 by Pat Dunne
Answered by
David Ross
In short, a hybrid car is one that has a petrol (or sometimes diesel) engine as well as an electric motor and a battery pack. The car can use the engine alone, the electric motor alone and a combination of both to provide power to the wheels. These kinds of hybrids require no charging, as they charge themselves by generating electrical energy from the engine or recuperating energy when braking and feeding it back to the battery.
A plug-in hybrid has a similar make up to a hybrid, but gives you the additional facility to charge the battery by plugging it in at home or at a public charge point. Plug-in hybrids therefore can be driven on electrical energy more of the time.
Given you have no facility to charge at home it would make sense for you to choose a conventional hybrid, and as you currently own a Yaris, the 2011-on generation Yaris is available as a hybrid so might make a good choice for you.
If you want to avoid keyless entry then we would suggest going for the Icon or Y20 versions of the Yaris Hybrid as these came without this function, but it would be worth checking the specification of any car you are looking at. These versions of the Yaris start at around £7,000 on the used market.
If you need something with a higher driving position you could look at the Kia Niro, which is also available as a hybrid, but this is a newer and slightly larger vehicle. It may also be difficult to find a version of this without keyless entry.
All cars are at some risk of theft or damage from criminals, but a used Toyota Yaris is not a high-value vehicle so it would not be particularly desirable. Some Toyota vehicles are known to be at risk of catalytic converter theft, but parking your car in a garage or in a position which makes it difficult to access will mitigate this risk.
We have a guide to hybrids, how they work and what the different types are which you can read here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/phevs-and-hybrid-cars-explain.../
A plug-in hybrid has a similar make up to a hybrid, but gives you the additional facility to charge the battery by plugging it in at home or at a public charge point. Plug-in hybrids therefore can be driven on electrical energy more of the time.
Given you have no facility to charge at home it would make sense for you to choose a conventional hybrid, and as you currently own a Yaris, the 2011-on generation Yaris is available as a hybrid so might make a good choice for you.
If you want to avoid keyless entry then we would suggest going for the Icon or Y20 versions of the Yaris Hybrid as these came without this function, but it would be worth checking the specification of any car you are looking at. These versions of the Yaris start at around £7,000 on the used market.
If you need something with a higher driving position you could look at the Kia Niro, which is also available as a hybrid, but this is a newer and slightly larger vehicle. It may also be difficult to find a version of this without keyless entry.
All cars are at some risk of theft or damage from criminals, but a used Toyota Yaris is not a high-value vehicle so it would not be particularly desirable. Some Toyota vehicles are known to be at risk of catalytic converter theft, but parking your car in a garage or in a position which makes it difficult to access will mitigate this risk.
We have a guide to hybrids, how they work and what the different types are which you can read here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/phevs-and-hybrid-cars-explain.../
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