Buying a new vehicle is a commitment, but it takes even more thought and energy if you are planning on buying something which is outside of your comfort zone. Choosing a plug-in hybrid vehicle is a big step for many consumers, because these vehicles utilise relatively new technology and go against the grain. Before you buy a plug-in hybrid vehicle, you may want to consider the pros and 
cons of buying one.
Pros of buying a Hybrid Vehicle
• Energy Efficient
Hybrids are designed to be as energy efficient as possible, and vehicle manufacturers take this task seriously. These cars include loads of features that are designed to conserve and convert energy, so that very little energy is wasted. Hybrid vehicles also include loads of features to help you to drive as efficiently as possible. Spending time driving a hybrid can actually help you to pick up good habits which will transfer back over if you have to drive a standard powered vehicle again.
• Great City Cars
Hybrid vehicles are perfect if you need to make a lot of short journeys, such as journeys around a town or city. The way that hybrid vehicles work helps them to make huge savings, compared to petrol and diesel vehicles being driven around the city. With a petrol or diesel vehicle, the type of stop-go travel that is expected in the city will use up a lot of fuel; however electric hybrid vehicles use regenerative braking technology which actually helps to capture and reuse some of the energy which is spent on slowing the vehicle down.
• Reduced Emissions
Hybrid vehicles produce fewer emissions than traditional fuel vehicles. Although some emissions are likely to be created at the point where the emissions are produced, they are not as high as the levels which are produced by the internal combustion engines of cars. Most of the major players in the hybrid vehicle market claim that their vehicles are between 60% and 80% cleaner than today’s average petrol-powered vehicles. Taking the emissions away from the vehicle itself also helps to reduce air pollution hotspots, such as those which tend to occur in big cities. Reducing emissions in these areas can help to reduce the number of air pollution-related health problems that are suffered by the people who live there.
• Incentives
At present (2016), the government is able to offer certain grants and incentives to people who are thinking about buying a new hybrid vehicle. These grants can help eligible people to save thousands on the cost of buying a new car. Visit the UK Government’s website to see whether you are eligible and what you might be able to spend the grant on.
• Quieter
Hybrid vehicles are known for being much quieter than traditional fuel vehicles. These cars can run almost silently, so they offer motorists a really peaceful drive. Some motor enthusiasts and pedestrians actually see this as a negative aspect of electric vehicles, because they prefer cars to make a sound. Some motorists enjoy the guttural sounds that internal combustion engines traditionally make and they love the sounds that normal engines make when the car changes pace and direction. A few pedestrians have also commented that they do not like hybrid vehicles because they are much harder to hear, and therefore they are less aware of the presence of these cars.
Cons of Buying a Hybrid Vehicle
• Slower
Hybrid vehicles have a much slower top speed than traditional fuel vehicles. What is more, hybrid vehicles tend to be less efficient when they are driven more quickly. If you like driving quickly then a hybrid vehicle may not be the right choice for you.
• Range
Most hybrid vehicles have a range of less than 50 kilometres when they are being driven under electric power mode. Although it is possible to continue driving after this distance by switching to the secondary power source, you will not receive any of the emissions benefits when using this mode.
• Infrastructure
The hybrid vehicle infrastructure in the United Kingdom is still in its infancy, so you may not be able to charge up your battery every time that you would need to. This may mean that you have to rely on the traditional fuel engine more often than you would like. However; the government has recently announced that it is planning on spending £35 million on improving the infrastructure in the country. A major autocare provider has also announced that it plans to train its staff members so that more workers are able to provide support, advice and servicing for hybrid models.
• Cost
Hybrid vehicles tend to be more expensive than traditional fuel models. However, incentives are available to help people to purchase these vehicles and fuel savings over time can help to reduce outlay costs.