Full hybrid
Usually the most common type of hybrid. A full hybrid has no need to plug in as they use a combustion engine and electric motor that powers the car and charges the battery
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What is a hybrid car?
Hybrid cars use two types of power – power from a conventional petrol or diesel engine and an electric motor. There are two types of hybrid cars:
Standard hybrids: Have batteries that are charged by the car while driving
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs): Have batteries that need to be charged via an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging point or at home
How do hybrid cars work?
In general, hybrids save money and reduce emission by utilising both the motor and battery at different points in the journey. Whilst this can differ between vehicles, most hybrids will determine the power source based on the speed and how the car is been driven. For example, a hybrid user driving around a city doing less than 30mph will spend most of the time using the battery power. If that driver then joined a motorway and exceeded 30mph, the engine would kick in and fuel would be used.
Are hybrid cars cheaper to insure?
In the past, hybrid and electric cars have often been more expensive to insure than petrol or diesel cars because of the cost and availability of spare parts, and the common need for specialist repair works. But as more electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid vehicles have become available, and with the government’s 2030 impending ban on new petrol and diesel cars, the cost of insurance is falling.
Like conventional fuel models though, hybrid car insurance premiums depend on several factors including your driving history and personal circumstances.
The best way to find cheap hybrid car insurance is to shop around and compare a range of quotes.
Advantages and disadvantages of hybrid cars
While hybrid cars offer a range of advantages, there are a few disadvantages of owning a hybrid car you may want to consider before making the switch.
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Advantages
Hybrid cars produce lower emissions than conventional fuel powered cars
They have less reliance on charging points since these cars don't solely rely on their battery
As hybrids use electric power at slower speeds, there's usually less wear and tear than traditional fuel powered cars
Hybrid cars are cheaper to buy than electric cars and still better for the environment than traditional cars
If you're able to rely on electric power for your short journeys, a hybrid car help help you save on fuel costs
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Disadvantages
Hybrid cars are not as eco-friendly as electrics cars
They can have really high maintenance costs, especially if battery replacement is necessary
Hybrid vehicles are usually more expensive to buy than conventional cars
While better for the environment, hybrids do not possess the same horsepower as a traditional car
Depending on how you drive, your fuel efficiency can be reduced, therefore s hybrid car may be a more costly option for you
Types of hybrids
There are three main types of hybrid cars available for you to choose from. Between a full hybrid, mild hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid car, each hybrid option offer you a different way of driving.
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Mild hybrids
A mild hybrid car has a smaller battery in comparison to other hybrids which is why it cannot drive on battery power itself. It uses self-charging to generate its electric power.
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Plug-in hybrid
Plug-in hybrids are very similar to fully electric cars as they need to be plugged in to charge their battery. The larger battery in these hybrids enables you to drive longer distances on purely electric power
What level of cover do I need for my hybrid car?
Three levels of cover are available for hybrid car insurance:
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Fully comprehensive car insurance
Fully comprehensive car insurance: You’ll be protected against damage, repairs, medical expenses, fire damage, and theft. As well as damage to someone else, their car or property.
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Third-party, fire and theft policies
Third-party, fire and theft policies: Offer cover for other people, their vehicles, and their property, as well as protection for your own car if it were to get stolen, or if it’s damaged by fire.
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Third-party only car insurance
Third-party only car insurance: Covers injuries to other people, and damage to their vehicles and property. Minimum legal requirement. Usually the most expensive policy.
Our expert says…
Bear in mind that even if you have comprehensive insurance for your hybrid car, it won’t cover a faulty car battery or general wear and tear, but only battery damage during an accident. For other battery issues you’ll need to check your car warranty. Most manufacturers provide a battery warranty for five to 10 years.
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What do I need to get a hybrid car insurance quote?
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Details of the car
The car’s registration number if you know it. If not, the make and model is fine. We’ll also need the car’s age and any car modifications
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How you use your car
Social, commuting or business, and how many miles you’ll do in a year. You’ll also need to say where you’ll keep the car at night for security
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Your details
We’ll also need some personal info like your job, age and address – the same for any additional drivers you have
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Your driving history
Any accidents, insurance claims and driving convictions from the past five years, and details of your no-claims discount, if you have one
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What's the difference between a hybrid and an electric car?
Hybrid cars are more expensive to run than electric cars. That’s because electric vehicles rely on electricity only, and drivers will benefit from not having to pay road tax or congestion charge as they are emission-free. However electric cars can only be charged at electric vehicle charging points or at home, which isn’t as convenient as filling up a tank of petrol.
Hybrid cars still use petrol or diesel as well as an electric battery, so they’re more expensive to run – and they don’t offer benefits such as road tax until April 2025 or congestion charge exemption unless they produce less than 75g/km of carbon dioxide (CO2).
While some hybrid cars can also be charged by plugging in, others can charge their own batteries while you drive using the alternative fuel source.
Are hybrid cars tax exempt?
No, hybrid car drivers still need to pay road tax.
However, with lower CO2 emissions comes a lower tax rate, so hybrids can still save you money in road tax compared to traditional petrol or diesel engines.
The road tax rate for hybrid cars depends on the date of registration.
Hybrid vehicles registered before 1st April 2017 have different road tax rates based on CO2 emissions and the fuel type. You can find the latest road tax rates on the UK government's website.
Hybrid vehicles registered on or after April 2017 pay the standard rate of road tax
If your hybrid car had a list price of more than £40,000 when new, you will also have to pay additional premium rate road tax for five years from year two.
Are hybrid cars cheaper to run?
This typically depends on the way you drive. If you tend to do shorter journeys, your hybrid car will rely mostly on electric power, which in turn will save you money on fuel costs. Even more so if you drive a plug-in and have a charger at home.
However electric batteries don’t last forever, and hybrid cars often have poor fuel efficiency when they do run out. If you do tend to make longer journeys, a hybrid could potentially be more expensive.
Do I need specialist insurance for a hybrid car?
Most standard providers will offer you hybrid car insurance. You don’t need specialist insurance for your hybrid car.
What are the benefits of hybrid cars?
There are many benefits to driving a hybrid including:
Environmentally friendly:
Lower fuel consumption than a conventional car, meaning fewer emissions
Cheaper to run:
Hybrids help you save on fuel
They charge automatically:
Standard hybrids have regenerative braking which means the battery recharges as you drive
Cheaper road tax:
Alternative fuel cars, including hybrids, are cheaper to tax than conventional petrol or diesel engine cars
Travel further than electric: Hybrid cars can have similar ranges to conventional petrol and diesel cars, meaning they travel further than fully electric cars
Cheaper to buy than electric:
Depending on the make and model you choose hybrids tend to cost less than fully electric cars
Check out our guide on electric car benefits.
Are the government banning new hybrid cars?
The sale of new hybrid cars will be banned in the UK from 2035. This follows the banning of all petrol and diesel vehicle sales from 2030.
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Reviewed on 30 Dec 2025 by
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Accurate as of 30 December 2025.