A plug-in hybrid car, also known as a PHEV, bridges the gap between a battery electric car and a conventional car with a petrol or diesel engine.
As the name suggests, a plug-in hybrid can be plugged into the mains to recharge the battery. This should deliver between 20 and 30 miles of pure electric range, before the petrol or diesel engine takes over to complete the journey. You could, in theory, finish a commute or school run on zero tailpipe emissions, leaving the engine for longer journeys at the weekend.
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is one of the most popular plug-in hybrid vehicles in the UK. Its 13.8kWh battery offers up to 28 miles of pure electric range, while CO2 emissions of just 46g/km deliver tax benefits for company car users.
Newer models are even more efficient. Take the BMW X5 xDrive45e: its 24kWh battery pack delivers up to 54 miles of electric range from single charge, with a 100 percent charge available in 6.8 hours when using a 3.7kW BMW home charging point.
Achieving the official figures very much depends on how you use the car. Plug-in hybrids have come in for criticism following reports that drivers were simply taking advantage of tax benefits and failing to recharge the batteries. This was debunked by a Mitsubishi survey which showed that 68 percent of Outlander PHEV drivers plugged in every day, while 90 percent of owners charged their vehicles at least two to three times a week.
The fact remains: you must recharge the battery to get the best out of a plug-in hybrid car.