As you may know, both electric and hybrid leasing give benefits over conventional fuel options such as petrol and diesel, but many people struggle to fully understand these newer fuel options when leasing them for the first time.
Fully electric cars are as they sound. They are run completely on battery power which means the car needs to be charged to refuel. This can be done via a home charging point or numerous charging stations throughout the UK. You will likely have seen them at your local supermarket and motorway services amongst other places.
Hybrids come in a range of options but are also powered by a traditional combustion engine. This can offer the best of both engine types, with the fuel economy and lower emissions offered by electric power along with the quicker fueling of a combustion engine.
For more information on all aspects of electric powered leasing, ready our guide on electric cars.
If you decide to get an electric or hybrid vehicle as your next lease, a home charging point is something you may want to consider. While it is not essential you have a home charging point there are benefits to having them over the need to use public charging stations.
Drivers with electric or hybrid vehicles can choose between charging at home or at public use charging points located throughout the UK.
If you choose to install a home charging point there are a range of options available to you including government grants available for the infrastructure needed. More details on this can be found here. This will run from your own electricity and allows your car to be charged while you are at home, ie. overnight.
Alternatively, public charging points are now becoming increasingly available. Statistics from the Department for Transport found that there were over 18,000 public charging points across the UK in July 2020. Of these, over 3,000 were rapid charging points.
The range of electric powered vehicles grows each year. It is now possible for drivers to get as much as 370+ miles from a single charge of their electric vehicles. Models from Tesla's range of electric vehicles are reported to all achieve in excess of 300 miles of range from a full charge, keeping pace with a full fuel tank from rival petrol and diesel engines.
Other manufacturers offer ranges which comfortably site in the 250 mile - 300 mile range bracket with family SUVs with models from Audi, Nissan and Kia becoming prominent.
Just like their petrol and diesel rivals, electric cars and all types of hybrids still require an MOT to be legally allowed on the road. Due to the removal of some key components in combustion engines, the cost of a service to a fully electric car can be significantly cheaper, increasing the savings drivers can make on other running costs.