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Given the different between claimed MPG and real MPG, are hybrids worth buying?
Which has just revealed their latest test results of real-time driving/ MPG on hybrids. Given that there's a notable disparity with claimed MPG on most vehicles, are hybrids worth buying given the cost to swap? Why are manufacturers allowed to do this?
Asked on 2 March 2021 by Anthony 13
Answered by
Andrew Brady
I can't comment on Which's results but we publish Real MPG based on user submissions here: www.honestjohn.co.uk/real-mpg
All new cars are subject to official WLTP fuel economy tests which are designed to be more representative of real-world driving than the old NEDC tests. They're not perfect but they do allow you to compare cars like-for-like. The issue with plug-in hybrids is that they're reliant on regular charging to get the best from them. The majority of PHEVs, however, are leased by company car drivers for their BIK tax savings. If you're a company car driver covering hundreds of miles a day and not charging the car, a PHEV will be woefully inefficient. If, however, you charge the car overnight and rarely travel more than 20 or 30 miles in one go, you'll see incredible fuel economy as the petrol engine will hardly ever need to run.
All new cars are subject to official WLTP fuel economy tests which are designed to be more representative of real-world driving than the old NEDC tests. They're not perfect but they do allow you to compare cars like-for-like. The issue with plug-in hybrids is that they're reliant on regular charging to get the best from them. The majority of PHEVs, however, are leased by company car drivers for their BIK tax savings. If you're a company car driver covering hundreds of miles a day and not charging the car, a PHEV will be woefully inefficient. If, however, you charge the car overnight and rarely travel more than 20 or 30 miles in one go, you'll see incredible fuel economy as the petrol engine will hardly ever need to run.
Real MPG enables you to register the fuel economy you are actually getting against your make and model of car, its engine and type of transmission.
Every time you enter an average consumption figure against your car, the overall average automatically adjusts to reflect it.
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