Stay in charge: why a plug-in hybrid can keep you on the road for longer
Despite the rising numbers of electric and hybrid cars on our streets, there are still those among us – particularly if you use your car for business – who have concerns about their driving range and the accessibility of charging points.
Those concerns can be particularly acute for fleet managers or business owners with a million other things to take care of, and it may feel as if there is a risk attached to switching from petrol. But advances in battery technology and significant investment in charging infrastructure in recent years have made going electric or hybrid ever more viable – and potentially even cost-effective – for businesses. So, what should you look for if you want to increase your battery-powered road time?
Have you considered a plug-in hybrid?
First of all, it’s worth considering a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). These have rechargeable batteries and petrol-fuelled engines – very few run on diesel. They can be plugged in and recharged at charging points, and can today offer impressive pure electric range.
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), on the other hand, rely on the car’s motion to generate electricity, with the battery power kicking in to reduce petrol consumption and emissions. They can’t be recharged by plugging in.
The latest plug-in models demonstrate just how far the technology has come, with impressive range and battery capacity, alongside rapid charging capabilities. “The Škoda Superb estate, for instance, is capable of up to 84 pure electric miles*,” says Alan Barrowman, national contract hire and leasing manager for Škoda.
Charging is changing
For PHEV drivers who want to limit the amount of petrol (or diesel) they use, the charging network is crucial. Fortunately, the number of public charging points is growing rapidly. The UK’s 50,000th point was fitted in October 2023 at a service station in Weston-super-Mare and the rate of installation is still growing. This year, there were 68,273 electric vehicle charging points across the UK by the end of August, according to the data company Zapmap. That, says Zapmap, which has been monitoring vehicle charging points since 2014, represents a year-on-year increase of 41%. And this figure doesn’t include charging points in homes or workplaces, which are estimated to number more than 700,000.
Charging points provide one of two kinds of power: alternating current (AC), such as that used in households, or direct current (DC). Electric vehicle batteries can only store power as DC, though, so when plugged into an AC charger, the current must be converted, which can take some time. However, if a vehicle can use DC charge points as well as AC – such as the all-new Škoda Superb – then charging can be much more rapid. Škoda estimates that the Superb can recharge from 10-80% battery capacity in as little as 26 minutes using DC**.
Count the costs
Of course, there are financial as well as environmental benefits to driving a PHEV. Charging any electric vehicle from a standard three-point plug is possible, but it’s generally not recommended, as a car battery will need to draw a lot of power – potentially creating safety issues.
Instead, homeowners can fit a dedicated wallbox charger (starting from around £800), although off-street parking is required. The average wallbox charger provides an electrical current of 7kW, compared with about 2.3kW for a regular plug socket, meaning a car such as the Superb could charge in around two and a half hours.
“Various energy companies offer special tariffs for charging electric vehicles at home,” says Barrowman. “This means a car could be charged for as little as 7p per kWh. For a car like the Superb with a 25kW battery, the cost of a full charge at this rate is £1.75. So, while using the electric battery, the car costs around 2p per mile to drive.”
If you don’t have a driveway all is not lost: the highest concentrations of public chargers are in urban areas, with Zapmap research indicating that Greater London, for instance, is home to more than 21,000 public chargers, and density is increasing nationwide, too. After all, even expensive properties can have only limited access to off-street parking.
Related: Versatile, stylish and smart: is the Škoda Superb the ideal car for business?
As with petrol stations, the cost of public charging points varies, but many charging point providers offer subscriptions with more advantageous pricing. Currently, networks such as Pod Point and Connected Kerb have installed a combined total of almost 15,000 charging points around the country. While charging at home brings down the cost of motoring, it pays to be price sensitive if you need to use a public charging point on your journey. For a typical medium car, you need to pay less than about 40p per kWh for it to be cheaper than running on petrol or diesel.
Naturally, as consumer demand continues to grow, so will EV charging infrastructure. For those who regularly drive long distances, a PHEV can be a great stepping stone towards a greener driving future.
*Max. official WLTP electric range for Superb PHEV SE Technology based on a full charge. For comparison purposes, may not reflect real life driving.
**Charging times will depend on various factors, including temperature, state of the battery, state of and capabilities of the charging unit and power supply. Actual charging time will vary depending on the level of charge in the battery, as well as environmental conditions. Charging times will also be affected by the charging curve for example once charging passes 80%, charging will slow to protect the battery’s longevity.
