A hybrid car is a vehicle that uses both a conventional engine (either petrol or diesel) and an electric motor with a battery. A hybrid system is designed to improve fuel efficiency, lower CO2 emissions, and reduce running costs.

Many hybrids are compliant with ULEZ and Clean Air Zones while company car drivers will also experience a lower Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax threshold with a hybrid (particularly plug-in hybrids).

Hybrids are also an essential step in the journey from traditional combustion engines to fully electric vehicles. We're proud to offer the best hybrid lease deals here at Select Car Leasing.

Different sorts of hybrids work in different ways. But, in essence, a hybrid car combines a traditional combustion engine with a battery and electric motor. It uses electric power when it's most efficient to do so, while the petrol or diesel engine can take over when the EV range is depleted, over longer distances, or when additional power is required (such as under hard acceleration). The switch between power sources is managed automatically by the car itself.

Some hybrids need to be plugged in to be recharged (plug-in hybrids) while others (mild hybrids and full hybrids) do not need to be plugged in to recharge, as the process happens automatically.

The difference between hybrid and electric cars comes down to how they're powered. Electric cars have no combustion engine whatsoever, while hybrid cars utilise both a traditional engine and an electric motor with a battery. An electric vehicle (EV) always needs to be plugged in to charge and there are zero emissions at the tailpipe, which can help you save money on tax.

A self-charging or 'full' hybrid never needs to be plugged in to charge and the energy in the battery will be restored via the engine and also through regenerative braking. As the name suggests, a plug-in hybrid can be plugged in to recharge. So-called 'PHEVs' (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) typically have a larger battery than other hybrids and are capable of travelling further using EV power alone.

The vast majority of modern hybrids come with an automatic gearbox. Hybrids are all about smooth efficiency, as the powertrain switches between petrol/diesel and electric power, and an automatic transmission really lends itself to that sort of driving.

You will, though, find traditional manual transmissions on some mild-hybrids – where the electric motor mainly assists the engine rather than driving the wheels directly. In general, though, automatic gearboxes are becoming the norm across the entire automotive industry – and that includes premium sports cars that would have traditionally had a manual gearbox.

The terms 'full hybrid' and 'self-charging' hybrid are interchangeable and essentially refer to the same type of car. You might also see full hybrids referred to as 'Hybrid Electric Vehicles' (HEVs). Full hybrids have a battery that's larger than a mild hybrid but typically smaller than a plug-in hybrid. They never need to be plugged in to recharge and instead recoup energy via regenerative braking and via the engine itself. The EV driving range of a full hybrid is typically low, at around 1–2 miles at low speeds.

The main difference between a hybrid (HEV) and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) comes down to battery size, charging method, and electric-only range. A typical HEV is self-charging only and capable of driving a very limited amount of miles using pure EV power.

A PHEV has a much larger battery and is capable of travelling extended distances (dozens of miles in many cases) using electricity alone. PHEVs can be plugged in at home or at public chargers, and also recoup energy via regenerative braking/engine assist.

Read more about the different types of hybrids.

Some hybrids need to be plugged in to be recharged, others simply charge themselves.

As the name suggests, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are primarily recharged by being plugged into a power source (either at home or at a public charging station). PHEVs are, however, able to partially replenish the energy in the battery via regenerative braking and through engine power.

Mild hybrids use a small battery and electric motor and never need to be plugged in. It's a similar story for full hybrids – aka Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) or self-charging hybrids – which also never need to be plugged in.

If you're driving a hybrid that needs to be plugged in, installing a home charger can be really beneficial, particularly when it comes to saving money. Just like with a fully-electric car, you can use the public charging network to replenish the energy of a PHEV, but it's likely to be more expensive than charging at home. With a home charger, you're able to choose an energy tariff that lets you charge off-peak at a lower rate. Select has partnered with energy specialist E.ON Next so that our customers get money off a home charger install.

The length of time it takes to recharge a plug-in hybrid varies according to the size of the car's battery as well as its charging speed. Using a typical home wallbox (up to 7.4 kW AC charging speed), you're looking at around 2–4 hours for a full energy replenish. Using a public charger, while more expensive, can prove much faster. The Audi Q3 SUV e-hybrid, for example, supports maximum AC charging at 50 kW, which can take the energy in the battery from 10–80% in as little as 30 minutes. Unlike full EVs, PHEVs rarely support rapid DC charging.

According to some of the latest stats, drivers in the UK cover an average of around 7,000–7,500 miles each year. Divide that by 365 days and you get a figure of around 20 miles per day. Considering that even the cheapest electric vehicles have a range of around 150 miles between charges, it's clear that EVs have more than enough range for everyday use.

Not all hybrids have a pure electric range. Mild hybrids, for example, offer little in the way of electric range while full hybrids can cover a couple of miles in slow city traffic. Plug-in hybrids, on the other hand, are capable of travelling much further using electric power alone. The EV range of some plug-in hybrids is in excess of 75 miles on a single charge – which again makes them more than suitable for everyday use.

If a hybrid car runs out of battery charge, the powertrain simply switches to the traditional combustion engine – which means you don't need to worry about range anxiety as you might with a fully-electric car. You will, however, lose some of the benefits of a hybrid when it comes to electric assistance and fuel economy.

Overall, the car will continue to drive as normal, though fuel efficiency may fall because the electric motor can't assist with acceleration.

Yes – driving a hybrid car can save you money on running costs compared with a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle. All hybrids, including mild hybrids, offer increases in fuel economy compared with their petrol or diesel counterparts. Conservative estimates suggest a mild hybrid will improve fuel economy by around 5mpg, on average. While that might sound like a small amount, the savings will add up over the course of a year.

Mild hybrids also help to lower CO2 emissions compared with petrol or diesel cars, which can save you money when it comes to road tax (aka Vehicle Excise Duty). The savings to be made are even greater when it comes to full hybrids and plug-in hybrids. With a PHEV, you might experience real-world driving fuel economy in excess of 80mpg if you really make use of its electric range. Hybrids use regenerative braking to slow your progress, too, which means less wear and tear on expensive items like discs and pads.

Hybrid cars and electric vehicles offer different advantages and it's tricky to compare the two. But as a rough guide, EVs are thought to be cheaper to run per mile in comparison to all other types of vehicle, particularly if you can charge from home on a low off-peak tariff. Hybrids are a good compromise if charging isn't always convenient or if you regularly have to drive long distances.

According to the Government's own stats, the average electric vehicle costs around 7.52 pence per mile to fuel. That's when you charge at home on the standard rate – but can fall to less than 3p per mile when you recharge on an off-peak tariff.

An efficient petrol car which can return up to 50 mpg – and which includes hybrids – can cost around 12.0 pence per mile to fuel. More gas-guzzling petrol cars can cost as much as 22.5 pence per mile to fuel.

Hybrid cars can be cheaper to maintain than traditional petrol or diesel cars, with regenerative braking reducing wear on brakes, with those components thought to last twice as long. Just like any car with an internal combustion engine, a hybrid will need to undergo routine servicing, including oil changes, filters, spark plugs and coolant. A hybrid will also require checks on the high-voltage battery and electronics.

It's good to bear in mind that heavier hybrids (HEVs and PHEVs) with larger batteries may result in slightly faster wear to tyres and suspension parts. The good news for lease customers on a 2, 3 or 4 year contract is that you'll never need to replace the battery pack as they're pretty much built to last the lifespan of the car itself. EVs with fewer moving parts offer even lower maintenance costs.

There are many financial incentives for choosing a hybrid or an EV. Let's start with hybrids. Even mild hybrids are capable of reducing your fuel bill while also lowering CO2 emissions – which can ultimately have a big impact on how much road tax (VED) you're paying each year. Full hybrids are often capable of returning in excess of 50 miles to the gallon, which could save you hundreds of pounds each year on petrol or diesel costs.

Meanwhile plug-in hybrids not only reduce running costs, they also sit in a much lower Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax bracket for company car or salary sacrifice drivers. In the case of PHEVs, grants are also available to help cover the cost of installing chargers at homes or workplaces (aimed at renters, flat owners, and landlords).

When it comes to EVs, the biggest financial incentive is the Government's Electric Car Grant.

Yes, hybrid cars pay road tax. The rate you will pay depends on when the vehicle was first registered. If the vehicle was registered before 1 April 2017, the rate you pay will depend on the car's CO2 emissions. If the vehicle was registered on or after 1 April 2017, the first year rate depends on CO2 emissions, before a flat rate of £200 per year applies thereafter. If the hybrid car cost more than £40,000 when it was new, you'll also be required to pay the Expensive Vehicle Supplement – which is £440 a year for the five years following the first tax payment. The Government website has a full breakdown.

No, hybrid cars are not routinely exempt from congestion charges in the UK. Some hybrids may be exempt from other emission-based charges (ULEZ, CAZ) if they meet strict emission thresholds. Always check with your local scheme rules and work out vehicle emissions for your exact car before setting off.

The longevity of a hybrid or EV battery will depend on a number of factors, not least your charging habits and driving style. For a fully-electric vehicle, repeat charging from 0–100%, for example, might reduce the battery's lifespan.

With hybrid vehicles, the longevity of the battery also depends on the type of hybrid that you're driving. Most mild hybrid batteries are designed to last the lifetime of the car and because the unit is small – assisting the engine rather than driving the wheels – stress placed upon it is minimal.

Full hybrid and plug-in hybrid batteries are larger and more involved, but will still typically have a lifespan of between 8–15 years or up to 150,000 miles. It's not unknown for some hybrids to journey in excess of 200,000 miles on their original pack.

Warranty cover varies between manufacturers when it comes to the batteries fitted in hybrid vehicles. Toyota, for example, currently offers a warranty that includes cover for the hybrid battery and components for up to 10 years/100,000 miles – which can be extended to 15 years with a Hybrid Health Check plan. Audi offers an 8 year/100,000 mile battery warranty on its electrified vehicles, including plug-in hybrids. With Volkswagen plug-in hybrids, the battery energy content degradation warranty lasts for 5 years or up to 100,000 miles, whichever comes first, and applies to the first vehicle owner only.

All vehicles are protected by a manufacturer warranty when you take out a lease contract on a new vehicle with Select and the anticipated lifespan of a hybrid battery is likely to far exceed the length of your lease contract.

Hybrid cars generally have one of two types of battery; nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) or lithium-ion (Li-ion). Both can be recycled and both can also be repurposed for 'second life' use once the vehicle itself has reached the end of its life.

UK manufacturers and dealerships are required by law to take back hybrid batteries free-of-charge, often picking them up from garages or dealerships. They're then processed and dismantled at specialist Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs). The idea behind hybrid battery recycling is to recover precious metals – nickel, cobalt, and other rare earth elements – so they don't end up in landfill sites. As well as being repurposed for stationary energy storage, hybrid batteries can also sometimes be refurbished and sold on as replacement packs.

The reliability of hybrid cars will depend on a range of factors, including manufacturer, the specific model, and how well it might have been treated in a previous life (something you don't need to worry about when you lease a new hybrid). To give you some idea about hybrid reliability, have a look at the annual What Car? reliability index. Two of the cars in its recent index were hybrid (including the Lexus NX and Lexus ES) and experts said: "In spite of their complex engine and motor combinations, hybrids and plug-in hybrids are the least likely type of car to go wrong. Only 19% of cars with this power set-up had a glitch." Petrol cars were next in the most reliable list with a fault rate of 22%.

There are some key benefits of leasing instead of buying a hybrid car. Firstly, the automotive market is moving to the point of full electrification and hybrid vehicles can be seen as a 'stepping stone' between cars with a traditional combustion engine and one with nothing but a battery. As a half way house, hybrids let you explore the benefits of electrification without having to commit to a long-term purchase – or the depreciation risks that come with it. Overall, leasing a hybrid is ideal for anyone who likes to drive a new car every few years and for those who want to experience the latest in-car tech without the hassle of depreciation or the resale and warranty issues that you might get with a new or used car bought on finance.

You'll enjoy lower Benefit in Kind (BiK) as a company car driver behind the wheel of a plug-in hybrid, in comparison to a regular petrol or diesel vehicle, and you can lease a hybrid for as long as you need before you might commit to a full EV.

Leasing a hybrid or EV is a good choice for all drivers who want to reduce their running costs while enjoying greener motoring. With leasing, you'll experience lower upfront costs and predictable monthly payments, you get access to the latest battery and hybrid technology with minimal maintenance worries (you can also take out an optional Servicing & Maintenance plan with Select), and the flexibility to upgrade your car in line with future emissions regulations.

Yes, you can lease a hybrid for either personal or business use. We have all types of hybrids (mild hybrid, full hybrid, plug-in hybrid, etc.) available on either Personal Contract Hire (PCH) or Business Contract Hire (BCH) deals.

If you're a company car driver or part of a Salary Sacrifice scheme, you'll want to look at our deals for the latest plug-in hybrids, as these types of hybrids enjoy a long EV driving range, low CO2 emissions, and can reduce your Benefit in Kind (BiK) payments.

Yes, you can include servicing and maintenance with a hybrid lease. However, Select does not currently offer insurance as part of an all-in-one package with a lease deal. Anyone who takes out a lease deal for a hybrid car – or any other type of vehicle – must obtain fully comprehensive insurance for the duration of the lease contract.

An optional Maintenance plan can be added to your lease deal. Prices vary according to the vehicle, but costs begin at around £20 per month and it covers you for all routine servicing and maintenance as well as worn tyre replacement.

Select is delighted to assist all salary sacrifice and company car drivers who want to lease a hybrid vehicle. As an employee, you'll need to have such a scheme in place at work to be able to take advantage. And if you're an employer that's seeking to implement salary sacrifice or to source vehicles for your fleet or employees, have a chat with the experts in our dedicated Select Fleet Solutions team, who can talk you through your options.

The 'best' hybrid car for you will depend on your needs. If you're looking for a modest improvement to fuel economy while lowering your CO2 emissions, a mild hybrid might be the most appropriate. If you want more in the way of powertrain electrification (along with reduced fuel bills), then a full hybrid (HEV) could suit. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) lease is attractive to those who crave the capabilities of an EV without having to make the switch to a fully electric vehicle.

A multitude of different hybrids are available from all major manufacturers, from affordable mild-hybrids like the MG3 Hybrid+ to the potent BMW M5 plug-in hybrid. Some other popular plug-in hybrids include the Skoda Superb Estate, Hyundai Santa Fe and BMW 3 Series.

Whether hybrid cars are worth it for you personally depends on your driving habits, access to charging infrastructure, and environmental priorities. Hybrids consume less fuel than traditional petrol or diesel cars, regenerative braking reduces brake wear and therefore maintenance bills, while reduced CO2 emissions can also lower costs – particularly for company car drivers looking for a lower Benefit in Kind (BIK) tax threshold.

While not zero-emission, hybrids contribute to cleaner air and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, especially beneficial in urban areas with stringent standards. Unlike fully electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids don't rely solely on battery power. If the battery depletes, the petrol or diesel engine takes over, ensuring you can continue driving without searching for a charging point.

Hybrids (particularly full hybrids and plug-in hybrids) can be more expensive to lease than petrol or diesel counterparts. Some hybrids also have a limited EV driving range.