Will a hybrid car still be attractive in 2025?

January 30, 2025

A hybrid car may still be attractive in 2025, depending on your specific situation and needs. If you don’t have charging facilities at home, then you end up with a hybrid car that charges the battery while driving, such as Toyota’s many hybrid models, for example.

Hybrid or plug-in hybrid?

If you have the option of having a wallbox installed at your home for charging, choose a plug-in hybrid. This will allow you to drive longer distances electrically and save you a lot of money. For example, the new Volkswagen Golf eHybrid plug-in hybrid can travel up to 144 kilometers fully electric.

The dashboard display of the BMW 320e shows driving data: speed of 8 km/h, acceleration in ‘D’, total distance of 2012 km, fuel consumption data and a total range of 347 km. The time is 7:50 a.m. and the temperature is 8°C.

Fuel economy and emissions

Just a bit of explanation: hybrid cars combine a combustion engine with an electric motor, making them generally more fuel-efficient than traditional gasoline or diesel cars. In urban areas, where there are many short trips, the electric motor can play the main role, significantly reducing fuel consumption and emissions. With fuel-efficient hybrid cars, consumption of up to 1 liter per 50 kilometers is possible in these conditions.

Range and flexibility hybrid car

Compared to all-electric vehicles (EVs), hybrid cars often have a longer range because the internal combustion engine can kick in when the battery runs low. This can be particularly attractive for long trips where you don’t have access to charging stations for fast charging.

Hybrid car tax benefits

The tax breaks will no longer be there for a hybrid car in 2025. Starting Jan. 1, 2025, the discount rate for plug-in hybrid passenger cars will be reduced to 25%. So you will pay 75% of the regular rate. From Jan. 1, 2026, the discount percentage for plug-in hybrid passenger cars will be reduced to 0%. So you will pay 100% of the regular rate, the same as for hybrid cars and fuel-engine-only cars.

Charging hybrid car

Since you will still have tax benefits for a plug-in hybrid car in 2025, a home charging station is worth considering. By doing so, you are simultaneously investing in the future if you want to switch to an all-electric car. Charging is fast because the battery of a plug-in hybrid is smaller. In no more than a few hours you can fully charge it. Some plug-in hybrids can also fast charge, such as the VW Golf eHybrid. Then the battery is full while you enjoy a cup of coffee, for example.

Close-up of the ‘HYBRID EV’ emblem on the side of a red Mitsubishi Colt, indicating that it is a hybrid electric vehicle.

Disadvantages of hybrid car

A hybrid car is slightly more expensive to purchase than a fuel car. Also, the battery adds to the weight of a hybrid car, resulting in higher road taxes. Maintenance costs may also be slightly higher because maintenance or repairs to the high-voltage components require specially trained mechanics. A hybrid car will drive less economically when the battery is depleted. After all, the extra vehicle weight and driving to recharge the battery takes some extra energy. The lower consumption in urban traffic should compensate for that.

Conclusion

Hybrid cars will still be an attractive option for many people in 2025, especially those who are unable to drive fully electric or for whom the range and flexibility of a hybrid are more advantageous. However, for those looking for the lowest possible carbon footprint or maximum long-term savings, all-electric vehicles may be a more obvious choice.