Plug-in hybrids: Are they worth it given the 2035 ban?

New rules phasing out new petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid sales between 2030 and 2035, does it still make sense to invest in a Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle?

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) were developed to give motorists the benefits of an electric vehicle, with the flexibility afforded by a fuel-based car. They eliminated or at least reduced “range anxiety” - ensuring motorists could rely on a fuel engine to travel long distances, while enabling electric-powered travel for shorter urban journeys.

Critically, PHEVs were also marketed as a way to be greener. By using the electric motor whenever possible, users could reduce emissions from the combustion engine.

But as we move toward 2035, the phase-out of new petrol, diesel and, eventually, hybrid/PHEV sales approaches, does investing in a PHEV still make practical, economical and environmental sense?

In short, whether or not buying (or keeping) a PHEV is a good idea will depend on your specific situation, your expectations, and how long you plan to use a PHEV after the plug-in hybrid 2035 ban.

Key dates

• 2030 – new pure petrol and diesel cars can no longer be sold
• 2035 – new hybrids and plug-in hybrids can still be sold up to this date

What Is a Plug-in Hybrid?

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) combines a petrol or diesel engine with a battery that can be charged from the mains or a charge point, giving a limited pure-electric range (typically 20–40 miles) before the combustion engine takes over. This differs from a self-charging hybrid (HEV), which tops up its much smaller battery only through braking and the engine, and can't be plugged in or driven far on electric power alone. A fully electric vehicle (BEV) has no combustion engine at all and relies entirely on charging.

Why plug-in hybrids can still make sense (for now)

Transitional value / flexibility

Now, and in the years leading up to 2035, new PHEVs can still be sold in the UK, and importantly, it seems certain owners will be able to continue using their PHEVs beyond this point.

Blended use cases: urban journeys + occasional long trips

If you mostly use a PHEV for short, urban trips, with the occasional long journey, then this vehicle type can offer a good compromise: some electric driving, without the range anxiety that might come with a fully electric vehicle.

Then there’s the issue of infrastructure: if you live in an area where access to chargers is limited, then having a combustion engine as a backup makes a lot of sense. With this in mind, for those who are not yet ready for the costs and potential inconvenience (e.g. finding charger points during longer trips), then PHEVs still make sense.

Plug-in Hybrid Running Costs

Running a PHEV cheaply depends almost entirely on how often it's actually plugged in.

• Home charging: cheapest option, especially on an off-peak EV tariff — typically a few pounds for a full charge of the small battery.
• Public charging: considerably more expensive per kWh than home charging, and can erode much of the cost saving versus simply running on petrol.
• Running on an empty battery: once the battery is depleted, a PHEV is effectively a (heavier, less efficient) petrol or diesel car — fuel economy on long motorway trips is often worse than a comparable non-plug-in hybrid.
• Servicing: PHEVs have both an engine and an electric drivetrain, so servicing can cost more than a pure petrol/diesel car and about the same as or slightly more than a full hybrid.
• Vehicle tax (VED): [UPDATE: confirm current VED banding for PHEVs against GOV.UK before publishing — rates and thresholds change periodically].
• Pay-per-mile (eVED): the government has signalled a pay-per-mile charge for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. [UPDATE: confirm exact figures, start date and which vehicles are in scope against official GOV.UK sources before publishing.]

PHEV running costs are lowest for drivers who charge at home regularly and keep most short trips electric-only; they narrow or disappear for drivers who rarely plug in.

Plug-in Hybrid vs Electric Car vs Hybrid

A quick side-by-side to help readers searching "plug-in hybrid vs electric car":

Why many argue PHEVs may not be worth it

Real-world PHEV pollution is often much higher than claimed

Recent reports suggest that, in real-word usage, many plug-in hybrids emit nearly as much CO₂ as regular petrol cars in real-world use. These findings are based on research from the European Environment Agency (EEA). Given this data, it’s clear that the ban on new PHEV sales, like the ban on petrol car sales, makes sense from an environmental standpoint.

You only get the benefits if you charge regularly

If you tend to use the combustion engine frequently, and rarely ‘plug in’ then most of the environmental and fuel-saving advantages are lost. As a result, you might end up driving around a lot of extra weight (and paying a premium for it) while gaining very little benefit.

Government policy is tilting towards zero-emissions only

The reason for the 2035 ban is to encourage vehicles that produce no exhaust emissions. With that in mind, allowing PHEVs which still burn fuel, arguably undermines those climate goals.

 What Will Happen to PHEV Resale Values?

The 2035 ban only stops new PHEV sales — existing and used PHEVs remain road-legal and usable afterwards, and can still be bought and sold second-hand. That said, demand and resale values are likely to soften over time as manufacturer focus, incentives and charging infrastructure shift further toward fully electric vehicles, and spare parts may become harder or more expensive to source. In short: a PHEV bought now won't become illegal to drive or sell, but it may be worth less, and cost more to keep running, the further out from 2035 you go.

What happens after 2035?

As mentioned, the 2035 ban on new hybrid and PHEV sales only affects new vehicles. It doesn’t automatically mean that existing PHEVs are illegal, so cars you buy before then would likely remain usable, and may be sold on, and rented out. Presently, there is no plan for any restrictions on buying used PHEVs.

That said, the policy and regulation direction of travel suggests that full zero-emission (battery electric + hydrogen) vehicles will be favoured in the long term. That means incentives, infrastructure, and manufacturer focus will increasingly go toward EVs, not PHEVs.

It’s likely that the used car market, and the public perception more generally, will gradually move away from hybrids/PHEVs, particularly as the understanding of real-world performance, pollution data, and social pressures grow.

Is a PHEV Right for You?

A PHEV makes sense if:

• You need flexibility (electric + fuel) because of mixed driving conditions or limited charging infrastructure near you
• You plug in frequently and actually use the electric-only range on a regular basis
• You're buying now (or used) and expect to use the car for a finite period before possibly upgrading to full electric

A fully electric car (BEV) is likely the better choice if:

• You can charge reliably at home or nearby and want the lowest possible running costs
• You want a vehicle that's future-proofed against further phase-out dates and tightening policy
• Most of your driving is within a BEV's comfortable range, with occasional long trips manageable via the public charging network

At least for now, carmakers are only too happy to sell plug-in hybrids. But if you're looking for a more future-proofed, clean and low-maintenance vehicle that chimes with long-term government policy, a fully electric (or other zero-emission) vehicle is likely to make more sense, especially as the clock ticks towards 2035.