There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question – it all depends on how and where you drive. The advantages of electric cars are clear: they are more cost-effective if you can charge them at home or at work and most of your journeys are in the city. A hybrid is a more practical choice if you frequently travel long distances and the charging network in your area is still not well developed. According to the International Energy Agency, electric vehicles and hybrids accounted for a quarter of all new cars sold worldwide for the first time in 2025, meaning that more and more buyers are now faced with the choice between a hybrid and an electric vehicle.
What types of electric vehicles and hybrids are there?
In reality, a hybrid and an electric car are not two separate categories but different points on the same electrification spectrum – from a mild hybrid, where electricity only provides limited assistance to the engine, to a fully electric car that runs entirely without gasoline.
A hybrid vehicle is essentially an attempt to combine the strengths of both worlds: using the electric motor where the internal combustion engine is less efficient, and vice versa. On paper, the concept makes perfect sense. In practice, it works too – but with a few important trade-offs that we’ll explore below.
Electric car (BEV)
An electric car (BEV) has no internal combustion engine. It is powered solely by an electric motor and a battery that can be charged from a household outlet or a charging station. Modern mid-range models typically offer a WLTP-rated range of 300–500+ km on a single charge.
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- zero tailpipe emissions and significantly lower “fuel” costs – charging is cheaper than filling up with petrol or diesel;
- fewer moving parts – no engine oil changes, timing belt replacements, spark plugs, or exhaust system maintenance;
- instant torque and quiet operation.
Disadvantages:
- dependence on charging infrastructure and longer charging times compared to refuelling at a petrol station;
- a higher upfront purchase price than a comparable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle;
- gradual battery degradation over years of use.
What makes an electric car better than a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle? Above all, lower maintenance costs: fewer wear-and-tear components mean fewer trips to the service centre.
Plug-in hybrid
A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) combines an internal combustion engine with a larger battery that can be charged from a household outlet or a charging station. It typically offers 40–80 km of all-electric driving before operating like a conventional hybrid.
Advantages:
- daily city driving can be done entirely on electric power, with no fuel consumption;
- no “range anxiety” on longer trips – the internal combustion engine simply takes over when needed;
- a flexible solution for drivers who are not yet ready to switch to a fully electric car.
Disadvantages:
- heavier and mechanically more complex than a conventional hybrid;
- cost savings are only significant if the vehicle is charged regularly – otherwise, it is simply a heavier and more expensive hybrid;
- higher purchase price than a full hybrid in the same class.
Full hybrid
A full hybrid (HEV), such as the classic Toyota Prius, combines an internal combustion engine with a small battery that is recharged automatically through regenerative braking and by the engine itself. It can drive on electric power alone, but only for a few kilometres at low speeds.
Advantages:
- 20–30% lower fuel consumption than a comparable petrol-powered car in the same class, with no need to plug it in;
- does not depend on charging infrastructure;
- a technology with proven long-term reliability.
Disadvantages:
- very limited all-electric range, so the vehicle still consumes fuel;
- the environmental benefits are significantly lower than those of a PHEV or BEV.
Mild hybrid
A mild hybrid (MHEV) is essentially a conventional petrol or diesel car equipped with a small 48-volt electric motor-generator. It assists the engine during start-up and acceleration and recovers energy through regenerative braking, but it cannot propel the vehicle on electric power alone.
Advantages:
- 5–15% lower fuel consumption with little or no price difference compared to a conventional car;
- no changes to driving habits or charging infrastructure are required;
- low additional weight and a relatively simple design.
Disadvantages:
- the smallest efficiency gains of all electrified powertrain types;
- cannot drive on electric power alone – the electric motor only assists the internal combustion engine.
Comparison table
| Type | Electric-only range | Charging required | Fuel savings* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric car (BEV) | 300–500+ km | Required | 100% (no fuel required ) |
| Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | 40–80 km | Recommended | 30–60% |
| Full hybrid (HEV) | 1–3 km | Not required | 20–30% |
| Mild hybrid (MHEV) | – | Not required | 5–15% |
*Compared to a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle of the same class. Actual figures vary depending on the vehicle model and driving style.
In short, the more electrified a vehicle is, the lower its running costs – but the more it depends on charging infrastructure. If you’re currently deciding between a hybrid and an electric car, Autoline offers hundreds of listings from private sellers and dealers around the world, ranging from mild hybrids to fully electric models.