Your guide to choosing the most suitable Hybrid or Electric vehicle for you.

Mild Hybrid (mHEV) vehicles

A Mild Hybrid vehicle differs from a conventional hybrid in that its motor cannot power the car on its own; it exists simply to provide a boost to the combustion engine. Different Mild Hybrid setups work in different ways. Some only assist the engine with battery power during hard acceleration or in conjunction with the Stop/Start system on a vehicle, while others enable the car’s engine to be turned off for a few seconds during coasting to reduce emissions. The Mild Hybrid system recharges itself, so there’s no need to plug in to a power supply.

Pros

- Provides an easy transition to hybrid motoring
- No range anxiety
- No need to plug into an external power supply
- Cheaper to buy than other hybrid options

Cons

- Less fuel efficient than other Hybrids
- More modest reduction in CO2 emissions
- Less cost-effective to run than other hybrid options

Mild Hybrid vehicles currently available: Kuga, Puma, Focus, New Fiesta, New Fiesta Sport Van, Transit Custom, Tourneo Custom and Transit

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Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid vehicles are those which combine a petrol engine with an electric motor to provide power. Typically, power can be switched between electric-only, which enables you to cover short distances emission-free, and Hybrid, which uses power from both sources simultaneously. Many modern vehicles can select the appropriate mode automatically, according to the driving conditions. When Hybrid mode is in use, part of the engine power is usually diverted to recharging the battery, again meaning that there’s no need to connect to a power supply in order to recharge

Pros

- Reduced running costs and CO2 emissions
- Better Benefit in Kind incentives than vehicles with combustion engines or Mild Hybrid powertrains
- No need to plug into an external power supply
- Depending on the model, you may be exempt from the London Congestion Charge

Cons

- More expensive to buy than Mild Hybrids
- All-Electric range is limited
- Less economical at higher speeds than Plug-In Hybrids

Hybrid vehicles currently available: Mondeo, S-MAX, Galaxy

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Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) vehicles

Plug-in Hybrid models use a bigger and more powerful battery back to support the combustion engine, and as the name suggests, need to be plugged into a power supply in order to be recharged. The battery can support a higher electric-only driving range at low speeds – often plenty to complete the daily commute with zero emissions – and can even reach up to 80mph for short motorway journeys in electric mode. As such, they offer exceptional fuel economy and emissions figures, bringing running costs down significantly.

Pros

- Hugely reduced running costs and CO2 emissions
- Many options meet the criteria for a Government grant to offset the purchase price
- Tax advantages for business users
- All-electric range means exemption from the London Congestion Charge

Cons

- More expensive to buy than Mild or full Hybrids
- Requires an external power source for charging

Plug-In Hybrid vehicles currently available: Kuga, Transit Custom and Tourneo Custom

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All-Electric Vehicles

As the name suggests, these are models that run on electric power alone, and have no combustion engine at all. They are fitted with a battery pack connected to an electric motor, which drives the car, and must be plugged into a power supply to charge. All-Electric vehicles offer a near-silent drive and zero emissions. As technology progresses, they also deliver better ranges, with some able to cover over 150 miles on a single charge.

Pros

- Zero emissions, making running costs very low
- Often cheaper to service and maintain than hybrid options
- Eligible for a Government grant to offset the purchase price
- Exempt from the London Congestion Charge

Cons

- Shorter overall range than hybrid options – often less than 200 miles
- Requires an external power source for charging
- More expensive to buy than Hybrid options

Available to pre-order now: All-Electric Mustang Mach-E. Available soon: E-Transit

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Should you have any further questions with regards to Ford Hybrid and Electric vehicles or would like to know more about vehicle availability, please do not hesitate to contact your local Gates dealership across Essex, Hertfordshire and London.