ELECTRIC VS PETROL VS PLUG-IN HYBRID CAR – WHICH IS REALLY CHEAPER?

EV Channels Review

This "What Car?" video pits the Kia Niro's hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric variants against each other in a series of real-world tests to determine which is truly cheaper to run. The tests included a 280-mile round trip primarily on motorways and a 25-mile urban journey in London. The results revealed that for the motorway test, the electric Niro was the most expensive to run at £48.98, primarily due to public charging costs and the need for a charging stop. The plug-in hybrid followed at £32.65, and the standard hybrid was the cheapest at £31.38. However, if the EV was charged solely at home, its cost would drop to £25.80, making it the cheapest. In the urban test, the electric Niro was again the cheapest at £3.15 (home charging), narrowly beating the standard hybrid at £3.27, while the plug-in hybrid cost £4.31. Crucially, the EV was exempt from London's congestion charge, unlike the other two. The review highlights that while EVs can be cheaper to run, especially in urban environments and when charged at home, the high upfront cost and the expense of public charging remain significant barriers. The presenters suggest that for frequent long-distance motorway journeys, other efficient fuel-powered cars might still be more economical than a fully electric vehicle currently.