(Because reading around the entire subject matter is for freaks)
What’s the Difference Anyway?
The key difference here is that both hybrid and fully electric vehicles (EVs) are greener, shinier, and sound a lot better than your current warthog of a vehicle.
Hybrid: A car with commitment issues. Sometimes it uses petrol, sometimes it uses a battery. You never really know who’s in charge - and frankly, it doesn’t either. Think of it like a mullet: business in the front (petrol), party in the back (electric).
Full Electric: No petrol. No oil changes. No exhaust. It's a grime-free existence. It runs entirely on electricity like your toaster, but sexier and faster (hopefully).
EV Myths We’ve Heard at the Pub...
Here we have some of the outlandish claims we’ve heard after a few beers - along with our curated comebacks.
"They'll run out of charge in 10 minutes!"
Not true, obviously. Modern EVs have ranges longer than your last relationship.
"You can’t drive them in the rain."
Mate, they’re not made of sugar cubes. Elon Musk didn’t add a disintegrate feature for fun.
"EV batteries need replacing every two years!"
Wrong. But even if that were true, you could just set the same reminder for when you next brush your teeth.
"Charging an EV is more expensive than petrol."
Only if you’re plugging it into a gold-plated socket in Monaco. In the real world, home charging costs a fraction of filling a tank.
"EVs are bad for the environment because of the batteries!"
Compared to petrol which magically appears from a rainbow? EVs out-do combustion engines on emissions.
"There aren’t enough chargers anywhere!"
Charging points are popping up faster than Turkish barbers on your high street.
Charge Times, Costs & Cheat Sheets
Charging Times:
- Hybrids: Don’t worry about it. They charge themselves like magic wizards (the boffins will call it regenerative braking, but we prefer wizardry).
- EVs: Plug it in like your phone. Level 1 charging? Go read a book. Level 2? Take a long lunch. DC fast charge? Quick trip to the loo and you’re back on the road.
Costs:
- Hybrids: Cheaper upfront, a little thirsty at the petrol station, but still doing better than most.
- EVs: Pricey upfront, but running costs so low you’ll snigger every time you pass a petrol station.
Cheat Sheet:
- If you commute under 60 miles a day? Go full electric, every time.
- Like to head off on long road trips every weekend? Hybrid might be your best bet. But range anxiety is old news. The only thing you should fear is running out of snacks, not electrons.
- A home charger is a power move. Slap a wallbox at home. Never worry about battling it out at an EV charge point.
Our Top Electric Car Picks for the "Can't Be Bothered" Crowd
Volkswagen ID.3
Clean, clever, and cooler than it has any right to be. It’s like your mate who drinks oat milk but still beats you off the lights.
- 373 mile range
- 326bhp
- 0–62mph in 5.6 seconds
Mini Aceman
Proof you don’t need a tank to feel tough. All the sass of a city car with just enough muscle to make SUVs feel insecure.
- 252 mile range
- 218hp
- 0–62mph in 7.1 seconds
So, Which One Should You Get?
If you're the kind of person who still owns a DVD player and fears the "cloud," maybe stick with a hybrid — ease yourself in slowly.
However, if you're ready to break up with petrol, and start flirting with the future - go full EV.
Either way, the hard part’s over. You’ve skimmed this guide (we know you didn’t read all of it). As a result, you’re armed with just enough knowledge to blag it in front of your mates.
Let us handle the rest.