Which Electric Vehicle? | Essex, Hertfordshire & Greater London

Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs) feature a combustion engine and an electric motor (which boosts acceleration), the latter of which is powered by a self-charging battery.

Pros

Improved efficiency – on average, an MHEV is 15 percent more efficient than its combustion-engine equivalent
No external charging required – this occurs via regenerative braking
No range anxiety – an MHEV’s electric motor merely assists the engine
A good place to start – MHEVs bridge the gap between combustion-engine and Full-Hybrid cars, and they’re more affordable than the latter

Cons

The least efficient form of hybrid motoring – full hybrids and plug-in hybrids are more cost-effective to run and produce fewer CO₂emissions
MHEVs can’t run on electric power

Ford MHEVs – available at Gates today

New Puma | Focus | Transit

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Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid Electric Vehicles, otherwise known as Full Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FHEVs), feature a similar drivetrain to MHEVs. In this case, however, the combustion engine and the electric motor can run independently, which helps deliver enhanced fuel economy. An FHEV can run on electric-only power at low speeds and over limited distances (a mile or so).

Pros

More efficient than an MHEV – FHEVs are more cost-effective to run than MHEVs and produce fewer emissions
No external charging is required
Reduced Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rate due to lower emissions

Cons

More expensive to purchase than regular vehicles and MHEVs
Limited All-Electric range
No discernible fuel-saving benefits if you regularly drive at higher speeds

Ford FHEVs – available at Gates today

New Kuga

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Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) feature a combustion engine, an electric motor and a battery. Unlike FHEVs, PHEVs can run solely on electric power.

Pros

Lower fuel costs and CO₂emissions than MHEVs/FHEVs, particularly if you tend to make shorter journeys
No range anxiety – if the battery runs flat, the combustion engine will pick up the slack
Low BiK rates
Reduced VED charges for the first year

Cons

PHEVs are more expensive to buy than regular vehicles, MHEVs and HEVs
External charging is required

Ford PHEVs – available at Gates today

New Kuga | Ranger | All-New Transit Connect | Transit Custom | Tourneo Custom

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All-Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) do not have a combustion engine and they run on electric power alone. They have a battery pack which is connect to an electric motor, at it is this that drives the car. Electric Vehicles must be plugged into a power supply to charge.

Pros

Very affordable to run – in relative terms, electricity is cheaper than fuel
Environmentally friendly motoring – EVs produce zero CO₂and NOx emissions
Lower maintenance costs – an electric drivetrain features fewer working parts than a combustion engine
Super-quiet – an electric drivetrain produces very little noise
Rapid acceleration – EVs generate torque more quickly than fuel-driven vehicles
Exempt from VED charges
Exempt from congestion charges
Low BiK tax rates
Ford E-Transit is eligible for a plug-in grant (Leader and Trend trim levels)

Cons

More expensive to buy than PHEVs, HEVs, MHEVs and combustion-engine vehicles
Range anxiety – if the battery runs out of charge, the vehicle is left with no propulsive power
External charging is required

Ford EVs – available to order at Gates today

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Get in touch

If you have any further questions about our Ford Hybrid and Electric Vehicles, please don’t hesitate to contact your local Gates dealership in Essex, Hertfordshire & Greater London.