autoseeker Advertise

Switching from petrol to electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV)

EV = fully electric, charge at a socket. PHEV = plug-in hybrid, chargeable plus petrol. Hybrid = self-charging, no plug.

Your dashboard reading shifts from litres/100 km to kWh/100 km (kilowatt-hours, the electric equivalent of litres), and that is only the first of three things to check. The second is whether you need a plug, and how fast it charges. The third is braked towing capacity: on some EVs it is lower than on the petrol car you drive now. We set out each combination factually, with no verdict and no cost estimate.

Where these figures come from

These are common fuel transitions. Per transition we describe what changes in the figures, on the basis of manufacturer datasheets (OEM) and WLTP (see methodology). The annual-mileage split is orientation only, not a cost model. No verdict, no buying advice.

Pick your combination

Pick your current fuel (left), then the fuel you are switching to (top). Each cell holds three annual-mileage links: up to 10,000 / 10,000–20,000 / 20,000+ km/year.

Pick your combination
From EV Plug needed PHEV Electric + petrol Hybrid No plug
Petrol
Diesel
LPG
Already electric? EV vs. PHEV If you already drive electric, the question is no longer the fuel but your charging habit and range. A full electric car (EV) shows one consumption figure: kWh/100 km. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) shows two — an electric figure for the battery range and a petrol figure once you stop charging it regularly.
EV / PHEV EV to PHEV PHEV to EV

Four questions we get asked every week

The same handful of questions comes up every week. Here are the four most common, answered with the figures.

What changes concretely when I switch from petrol to an EV?
The consumption unit changes from litres/100 km to kWh/100 km. Instead of refuelling you charge, at home (with a wallbox or from a standard socket, depending on your parking situation), at work or on a public network. A 10–80% fast charge (roughly empty to nearly full at a public fast-charger) takes an indicative 20–40 minutes (manufacturer figure per model). Watch the braked towing capacity too, because on several EVs it is lower than on a comparable petrol car. See our guide on reading towing capacity.
Is a hybrid the same as a PHEV?
No. A hybrid (HEV) is not plugged in; the battery charges itself as you drive and brake (the car recovers energy when slowing down) and via the combustion engine. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) has a larger battery you charge externally, with an electric range of an indicative 40–80 km WLTP. See our guide Hybrid, PHEV or EV: which figures. Or use the car finder: it asks five questions and pre-fills the filter, with no buying advice.
What is WLTP and how reliable is it in practice?
WLTP (Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) is the EU test cycle for consumption and range. Real-world figures differ from it, with EVs especially affected by cold weather and motorway speeds. Read more in WLTP versus real-world consumption.
Does an EV have enough towing capacity for a caravan?
That depends on the model and version. Several EVs — mostly small city cars — have a braked towing capacity of 0–1,000 kg. Always check the figure per version on the registration document. Our guide towing capacity and the registration document explains how to read it.

No tax or financial advice. Every figure shows its source and reference date. Always compare with an independent adviser and the official source. Source: Manufacturer datasheets + WLTP (see methodology); annual-mileage bands are orientation, not a cost model.