With emissions data suggesting PHEVS may not be as green as once believed, and a ban on the sale of new models from 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, as the ban on petrol car sales and indeed all vehicles with fossil-fuelled engines loom large, 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 2035 ban.
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. Indeed, sales of PHEVs are fairly healthy, with 11.7% of new car registrations being of the Plug-in Hybrid Electric variety in April 2025, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (not a bad figure given PHEVs were always a somewhat niche powertrain type in the UK).
PHEVs haven’t become as unpopular as diesels
PHEVs are certainly fairing better than other powertrain types - particularly diesel: only 5.5% of new cars that are diesel hit our roads in April 2025, according to the SMMT. There is unlikely to be any particularly good news for diesel cars or their owners in the coming months and years, since diesel powertrains have been proven to be extremely polluting, emitting Nitrogen oxides (NOx) which are harmful to human lungs. You may ask - What about hybrid diesel cars? While these vehicle types do exist in the UK, they are very rare and will become even rarer as 2035 approaches..
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.
Used-car value could remain reasonable
It’s important to remember that the eventual ban affects new vehicle sales only. Existing PHEVs (or used ones) will remain road-legal and usable after 2035.
So, if you're buying now and think you’ll use the vehicle for the next 5 to 10 years, a PHEV might still be “worth it” especially if you can access chargepoints easily, and you want to be able to blend shorter urban trips on the EV powertrain, with the longer journeys on the combustion engine.
Why many argue PHEVs may not be worth it - even in 2025
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.
Long-term uncertainty and resale value worries
As more countries and regions tighten restrictions, demand for PHEVs is likely to fall (due to less consumer interest, and fewer incentives), which could negatively impact resale value. Additionally, carmakers and regulators may shift further toward fully electric vehicles (EVs), so PHEVs might increasingly look like a “compromise technology” and therefore fall out of favour. As manufacturers lose interest in PHEVs, sourcing replacement parts could become difficult and/or expensive in the future.
Overall, there seems to be some doubt about the real-world environmental benefits of PHEV technology, with some commentators even calling it a "climate bluff”.
What happens after 2035?
As mentioned, the 2035 ban on new petrol/diesel (and often hybrid/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.
Whether PHEVs are worth it depends on your situation
Even now, in 2025, you might come to the conclusion that buying (or keeping) a PHEV makes sense, especially if:
- You need flexibility (electric + fuel) because of mixed driving conditions or there being limited charging infrastructure near you.
- You plug in frequently and do actually use the electric-only part on a regular basis.
- You buy now (or used), and expect to use the car for a finite period before possibly upgrading to full EV.
At least for now, carmakers are only too happy to sell you plug-in hybrids.
However, if you’re looking for a more future-proofed, clean and low maintenance vehicle that chimes with long-term government policy, then investing in a fully electric (or other zero-emission) vehicle is likely to make much more sense, especially as the clock ticks towards 2035.
