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Buying a new car - electric or hybrid?

I live on the Isle of Wight and want to buy a plug-in hybrid as most of our journeys are less than 20 miles. I currently have a 1988 Porsche 924s for use on the Island and a 2005 Volvo XC90, which we use when doing long mainly motorway trips on the mainland.

I could replace the XC90 with a hybrid if the fuel savings justify the expenditure of a new or nearly new plug-in hybrid. Or replace the Porsche with an electric vehicle for solely Island motoring. I have test driven the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV but was very disappointed with mpg when driving on a motorway (approx 39 mpg). What would you advise?

Asked on 25 August 2014 by Richard Webb

Answered by Honest John
Thanks for that report. The Outlander PHEV is so far the only PHEV SUV, but you have found a good reason for not getting one and instead for swapping the 924S for a Renault Zoe. That's the best all electric car for the sort of use you envisage. (I guess a Tesla Model S at £50,000 + is out of the question for your long runs?)

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If you cover no more than 100 miles per day and have easy access to a charging point at home or work, then an EV is ideal for you.

Is an electric car right for me?
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