Should You Lease a Hybrid or Electric Car? 5 Top Tips

Should I go for a hybrid or electric car?

This is a common conflict for drivers considering green vehicle leasing. 

Particularly with the UK government banning the sale of new petrol and diesel-powered vehicles by 2035, it’s an issue that increasingly more drivers will face. 

Data already shows that drivers across the UK are looking to get ahead of this problem – as of February 2024, there are now reportedly more than 1,000,000 completely electric cars and 620,000 plug-in hybrids on UK roads!

Should you be looking to upgrade your set of wheels, LeaseCar is here to help. 

We have a wide range of car lease deals – including hybrid and electric vehicles. 

If you’re still wondering what type of eco-friendly vehicle leasing to go for, this article is for you. Our experts have shared five top tips to help you discover what type of EV is best for you.

Hybrid or Electric Cars – What’s the Difference? 

When choosing an EV for lease, it’s important to know the difference between the types of electric vehicles. 

So, hybrid vs electric cars, how do they differ?

Electric vehicles, unsurprisingly, run solely on electricity – emitting the use of an ICE (internal combustion engine) and, in turn, the consumption of petrol or diesel. Also known as BEVs (battery electric vehicles), they are charged via a cable.

On the other hand, hybrid vehicles use both an ICE and an electric battery. There are different variations of hybrid cars, such as:

• Full hybrid – It has both an ICE and an electric battery. They can either run together or independently.
• Mild hybrid – The ICE is assisted by an electric motor. A full electric range isn’t possible with this style of hybrid. 
• Plug-in hybrid – Compared to other types of hybrid car, plug-ins have the longest all-electric range. This is thanks to the car itself charging whilst it runs. 

Here at LeaseCar, we have a selection of electric and hybrid car lease deals so you can pick the right lease term for your lifestyle. 

Is Hybrid Better than Electric? Let’s Compare!

When considering electric or hybrid cars for leasing, it can quickly become overwhelming. This is why our experts have come up with five top tips to help you choose what EV leasing deal is best. 

1) How Far Can You Go? It’s All about Range

It won’t come as a shock to hear that hybrids have a greater range than electric vehicles. This is thanks to the dual-power system that gives the hybrid its name!

Although, this doesn’t automatically mean you should start leasing a hybrid car. 

The average electric car range is 212 miles – which should get you from London to Chester in one journey!

If you are someone who doesn’t drive great distances, the range of an electric car should be perfect for you. 

However, if you are someone who travels far for work, for example, a hybrid vehicle may be the smartest solution for your needs.  

2) Eco-Friendly Vehicle Leasing – Which Is Best?

If you are opting for a green vehicle lease to be more eco-friendly, then electric cars would be the best choice. 

This is because all-electric vehicles release no tailpipe emissions – also known as CO2. 

Saying that, hybrid cars are still far more environmentally friendly than their petrol and diesel counterparts. Classed as ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs), hybrid cars are said to emit no more than 75g/km of carbon dioxide.

Therefore, if you do decide to choose a hybrid vehicle due to what is best for your lifestyle, you can still take comfort in the fact that you are doing your bit to save the planet.  

3) Costs, Costs, Costs

When it comes to costs associated with electric and hybrid cars, there’s a lot to consider. 

Obviously, the beauty of an electric car is exactly that – it’s electric. So you can say goodbye to paying for fuel. On average, it costs £17 to charge an electric vehicle at home – this increases to £26 at a public location. 

Depending on how far you drive, this could easily add up. Instead, you may benefit from a hybrid car to have both motor options. 

But how do you afford such notoriously expensive vehicles?

This is where car leasing comes into its own. 

When selecting electric car leasing options, you are able to decide:

• The initial rental
• Annual mileage
• Total lease length

This way, you can find not only the right vehicle for you but also the right price for your budget. 

You will likely find that you can get a traditionally more expensive vehicle for a more affordable price, like BMWs and Teslas. 

Plus, the government is continuing to provide grants and benefits to those with ULEVs!

For example, you could be eligible for a grant for a charging point to be installed at your home.  

So, when deciding if you should lease a hybrid or electric vehicle, it totally depends on your budget. 

4) It’s Charging Time!

Ahhh, the struggle we will eventually all face when it comes to eco-friendly vehicles: charging. 

It won’t come as a shock to hear that fully electric vehicles take longer than hybrid cars to charge. 

This is because the size of the battery impacts the length it takes to charge. 

It usually takes between 30 minutes and 12 hours to charge an electric vehicle, but it depends on a number of factors. These include:

• Battery type
• Charging habits
• Style of charging station
• Environmental factors

If charging time is something that concerns you, you can always use a rapid charging point or lease a hybrid car to alleviate some of this anxiety. 

5) It’s the Thing We Hate to Love… Maintenance

Unfortunately, maintenance is part and parcel of having a car. 

However, the type of car you choose could potentially save you from extensive maintenance fees. 

For example, electric vehicles are thought to need less maintenance than a hybrid car as there are less parts involved – a hybrid vehicle does have two power sources!

Of course, anything could happen and lead you to need maintenance for your car. 

When it comes to the maintenance of a leased car, you can choose additional maintenance packages on top of the car’s warrant, but it is your decision whether or not to add this to your monthly rental. 

Hybrid vs Electric – Knowing Which Green Vehicle Lease Is Right for You

We hope those tips have helped you with your decision to upgrade to an eco-friendly vehicle. 

Both styles of lease cars have advantages and disadvantages, so knowing which one is right for you depends on your lifestyle. 

Looking for the Best Hybrid and Electric Car Leases? Check out Our Selection of Leasing Deals Today!

We understand that making the switch to either a hybrid or electric vehicle lease is a decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. 

If you believe that an electric vehicle would suit your lifestyle, car leasing is a great way to know for sure – and at an affordable price!

But if you still want the comforts of the familiarity of an ICE engine, hybrid car leasing is the right choice for you. 

We have a wide selection of green car leases so you can discover the right one for your needs. 

UK drivers have been finding the best leasing deals for over 25 years thanks to the LeaseCar team. 

But don’t just take our word for it. Our five-star Trustpilot rating confirms the first-rate service we deliver, showcasing our commitment to giving you the best experience possible.

There really is no better place to find your next vehicle. 

If you’re ready to find your green vehicle lease, why not give us a call on 0344 745 1818 to chat with our experts – or simply fill out our online form.