looking to get a hybrid

Multi_Power

Hello! I am looking to lower my costs. Now, going to work and getting back, costs me a whopping £5 per day on fuel! It's almost a whole hour's salary! (after tax). But I know nothing about hybrids. Would it be much less? Could I save like £4 per day? What about the other costs, ie tax, insurance, service, etc? What about reliability? Can you give me an overall advice please?

Richard53

You are expecting to reduce your running costs by 80% by buying a hybrid? I have never owned one (and have no plans to) but from people I know who have, the savings are much, much less than this, if any. Bear in mind that hybrids are generally much more expensive to buy and service, not to mention the stupendous cost of new batteries further down the line.

If you want to reduce your fuel costs, get a small diesel and treat it well, or do what I did and start cycling. Now that has reduced my fuel costs!

captainawsome

Depends what type of driving you do. Low speed start stop traffic (ie central London) it may well save you lots deepening on what hybrid or EV you get. On the other hand motorway or high speed commute a hybrid will be next to useless

Don't forget to factor in the cost of the expensive battery and specialist equipment needed to fix if you get a fault, unless your buying brand new and planning to change once the warrenty expires.

Multi_Power

Oh, that's disappointing news then. My mileage is 60% motorways, with a 40% of going with 50mph and stoping in 4-5 roundabouts. Why they say then that you run 100 miles with £1 in electric cars or something?

RichardD1970

So to save £25 per week you're going to spend a few 1000 on a new car?

Multi_Power

Who said new? I am looking for a used one. If I save 25+ per week (because I don't only drive to work) it's about £1,200 on fuel per year. If I pay instead £200 on electricity per year, and save £1,000 per year, I could afford a £5,000 used hybrid. It would be good investment. Given that I pay pay less tax, insurance, etc?

captainawsome

Multi_Power wrote: »

Oh, that's disappointing news then. My mileage is 60% motorways, with a 40% of going with 50mph and stoping in 4-5 roundabouts. Why they say then that you run 100 miles with £1 in electric cars or something?

That's an electric car, not a hybrid. A hybrid will only run on electric at low speeds, less than 25-30mph and only has a very short range before the engine has to start again to recharge the battery. Your driving style will render a hybrid useless and would suit a small diesel much better. Depending on mileage a full electric vehicle may suit, but as said above paying £1000s for a new car to save a few ££ each week on fuel is not worth it

DevilsAdvocate1

How far is your journey. I have a Nissan Leaf which I bought at the end of December. The battery has a 5 year warranty, so I'm not worrying about that.

I changed electric suppliers to a cheaper company at the same time as I bought my Leaf. As my new supplier is cheaper I've not noticed a big increase in my electricity bills. I've also become quite good and finding chargers and charging when I'm out and about so I don't have to at home.

I comfortably get 80 miles out of one charge and even had 100 miles a couple of times. The amount of miles you get depends on many things. If I do 80 mph, then my battery doesn't last as long as if I do 50. If I put the heating on, then I get less miles.

Its a joy to drive, I absolutely love it. And the best thing is, I can use an ap on my mobile phone to switch the heating on inside the car while I'm still in the house. It was great in February when I saw all my neighbours scraping their cars, but mine was already defrosted and warm :T

Cisco001

You need to get electric or plug in hybrid to save that sort of money on fuel.

Are u mainly drive on motorway or mainly on 30mph?
If u mainly drive on motorway, you may just get a diesel car.

Multi_Power

I already have a diesel car and I pay £5 for 40 miles! To get to work and back!

forgotmyname

The reviews i read said that a Ford Focus would cost less to run than a Prius.

You may save in the tax but its unlikely to save you money over buying something thats fuel efficient in the first place.