Hybrid cars 'help cut fuel costs'

19/05/2011

By Katrina McLachlan

People who buy a new hybrid car instead of an equivalent petrol vehicle could save on average more than £500 a year on fuel costs, according to a new study.

TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk compared the fuel efficiency of several hybrid models in the UK with that of a petrol equivalent.

Although a hybrid model is currently more expensive than an ordinary petrol vehicle, the far superior miles per gallon ratio of a hybrid car means that the extra outlay can be recovered within four years, according to TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk.

On adding this to the strong residual values for a typical hybrid model, buyers could find that the initial expense is well worth it.

Faye Sunderland, editor of the website, said: "While 2011 was widely predicted to be the year of the electric car, in terms of real market presence and accessibility 2011 is a breakthrough year for hybrids."