I need to commute long distances — should I get a hybrid or diesel car? | Ask Honest John

I need to commute long distances — should I get a hybrid or diesel car?

I'm about to start a new job where I will need to drive up to 800 miles per week until I move house to be closer (expect this to be at least 3-6 months away). I'm looking to buy a 2015-2016 Volkswagen Golf GTE or a Golf TDi (would also consider a Polo). I also definitely want an automatic. Motoring is expensive here (the Netherlands), so I'm wondering what the cheapest and most economical option would be. Bear in mind that car tax is around €300 or more per quarter for the TDi but around €100 or less for the GTE. Petrol is more expensive than diesel, too. I've had a quick look and it seems insurance will be roughly the same. Which would you go for in terms of overall cost?

Asked on 27 April 2021 by Jamie Cornes

Answered by Russell Campbell

There are a lot of things you need to consider. Will you have somewhere to charge the GTE at home where you can make use of cheaper electricity tariffs? When you move closer to work will it be a commute of less than 20 miles? Will you be commuting into a city centre where a low emissions zone is likely in the next few years? If the answers to these questions are yes, the GTE is the better bet. The diesel makes most sense if you'll be doing lots of motorway miles where it will be cheaper to run than the GTE, which isn't very efficient when its battery runs out.

Tags: hybrid or diesel?

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