What is a Hybrid Car?

Hybrid cars (HEV) are often referred as self-charging hybrid cars. They combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery to power the car. A Hybrid electric vehicle can't be plugged in to charge. Instead, the battery charges in decelerating, stopping or coasting phases.

How do Hybrid cars work?

It's simple really. Along with a petrol or diesel engine, hybrid cars (HEV) have an electric motor powered by a small but effective battery. The electric motor in a hybrid electric vehicle assists the engine for improved fuel efficiency.

What's it like to drive a Hybrid car?

A hybrid drives like a traditional combustion engine car but with a few bonuses. It’s a lot quieter for a start and you systematically benefit from the convenience of clutch-less drive with either an automatic or dual-clutch auto transmission.

What does Hybrid mean?

A hybrid electric vehicle combines two different types of power: electricity and petrol. Hybrid cars regenerate energy through the braking system to power the battery. The engine and battery tend to help each other out. They can work together or separately.

What are E-Hybrid cars?

E-Hybrid cars are plug-in hybrid vehicles. We don't use this terminology in our range of plug-in hybrid vehicles.

What is a Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)?

PHEV is the abbreviation for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle. This type of hybrid electric car runs on electricity as well as petrol or diesel. A Plug-In Hybrid is perfect for those who want to travel further in electric mode. It’s got a bigger battery than a Hybrid and can give you a 30-mile plus electric range. When that electric range is depleted, the car automatically switches to Hybrid mode. The battery can be recharged from an external outlet, which enables them to run solely on electric power for longer.

What is the meaning of PHEV?

PHEV is the abbreviation for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle. This type of hybrid electric car runs on electricity as well as petrol or diesel. PHEVs have a large battery that can be recharged from an external outlet, which enables them to run solely on electric power for longer.

How does a Plug-In Hybrid work?

A Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV) works in a similar way to a standard Hybrid – there is a petrol engine combined with an electric motor and a battery however, in a Plug-in Hybrid, the battery is much larger than in a Hybrid and it is rechargeable from an external outlet. This means the car is able to travel around 30-40 miles (depending on the model) on battery power alone – more than enough for the average daily commute – but it can also call on the petrol engine for longer trips. Like a Hybrid, the battery can be charged whilst driving, but for the full benefit, you will need to plug in. Charging PHEV cars should take less than three hours. Put this all together and you can enjoy miles of low-cost, all-electric driving while still having a petrol engine for those rare long distance trips. Perfect.

What's it like to drive a Plug-In Hybrid car?

Relaxing and rather fun, actually. When running on battery power, PHEVs are very responsive, because unlike combustion engines, electric motors produce maximum torque at any rpm. Acceleration is brisk. We expect most charging to be done at home or at work but If you want to top up on the go, there is a vast and fast-expanding number of stations accessible across the UK. When the battery level is too low to propel the car in electric-only mode, the combustion engine kicks in and works with the battery as a supporting element - just like a regular, self-charging hybrid.

What's the difference between Hybrid vs Plug-In Hybrid car?

The main difference between hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars is that plug-in hybrids have a larger batteries than hybrids and that this battery is rechargeable from an external outlet. This enables plug-in hybrid cars to run on electric power alone for much longer distances than hybrids.

What's the difference between MHEV vs PHEV?

A Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) uses a 48V battery and electric motor to increase the efficiency of its internal combustion engine (ICE). Unlike a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), an MHEV cannot run solely on electric power, although its combustion engine shuts off during braking, coasting and stopping.

What is a Plug-In Hybrid SUV?

A Plug-In Hybrid SUV is a passenger car with increased ground clearance. It uses a hybrid system, which battery is rechargeable from an external source. Our Plug-In Hybrid SUV range includes popular models like Niro PHEV and Sportage PHEV.

Electric & Hybrid Start your electric adventure

Model Shown: Kia Sportage

The home of: Kia Plug-In Hybrid Cars.

More than you expect from Kia at Drayton Motors Kia.

If you aren’t quite ready to go fully electric, a plug-in hybrid is the perfect compromise. You get around 30-miles of electric driving, but you always have the petrol engine for longer trips.

Take the lead. Drive electrified.

Plug-In Hybrids offer you an enhanced level of power output — that can be drawn from both a petrol engine and cable-rechargeable battery. This balanced engineering solution uses a bigger battery, ensuring you'll use more electricity and less petrol. It means you'll enjoy optimal fuel economy and better overall driving range, while lowering your carbon footprint on every journey you make.

Kia Plug-in Hybrid Cars from Drayton Motors Kia

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Sportage

Explore the Kia Sportage, a plug-in hybrid with a range of up to 43 miles* on a single charge.

from £29,390
On the road
The New XCeed PHEV

Explore the The New Kia XCeed PHEV, a plug-in hybrid with a range of up to 30 miles* on a single charge.

from £33,525
On the road
All-New Niro PHEV

Explore the All-New Kia Niro PHEV, a plug-in hybrid with a range of up to 40 miles* on a single charge.

from £35,235
On the road
Kia Sorento

Explore the Kia Sorento, a plug-in hybrid with a range of up to 35 miles* on a single charge.

from £45,080
On the road

Reasons to drive a Kia PHEV

There are plenty of benefits to owning a Plug-In Hybrid car, here are some of our favourites
Low emissions driving

When in electric mode a plug-in hybrid produces zero emissions. As most of your driving will be on battery power, this is particularly helpful for improving air quality in urban areas.
Cheaper to run

Electricity is cheaper than petrol or diesel, so when running on battery power, your journey may cost less than a third of what it would in a combustion-engine car. There are tax incentives, too. VED is lower for PHEV drivers, and for company car drivers BIK tax is also reduced.
Charge at home

In the UK, the vast majority of electric car charging is done at home. This is usually the most convenient and cost-effective way to charge. Get home, plug in, wake up with a full charge. Brilliant! To charge from home, it is best to get a home charge point installed. A dedicated home EV charger will charge your car much faster than using a three-pin plug - up to three times quicker! It’s safer, too.
Relaxing drive

When running on battery power, PHEVs are incredibly quiet inside, making for a relaxed atmosphere. Driving is easy, too, because electric motors produce maximum torque at all revs, so acceleration is instant.
How does a Plug-In Hybrid work?

A PHEV works in a similar way to a Self-Charging Hybrid, there is a petrol engine combined with an electric motor and a battery. In a Plug-in Hybrid, the battery is much larger than in a Self-Charging Hybrid. This means the car is able to travel around 30 miles on battery power alone, more than enough for the UK average daily commute - but it can also call on the petrol engine for longer trips.

Like a Self-Charging Hybrid, the battery can be charged whilst driving, but for the full benefit, you will need to plug in. Charging a PHEV should take less than three hours. Put this all together and you can enjoy miles of low-cost, all-electric driving while still having a petrol engine for those rare long distance trips. Perfect.
We are your Electric partners

Our EVolve package is your one-stop solution for EV life. Buy any new Electric or Plug-in Hybrid Kia from Drayton Motors and benefit from a FREE 12-month subscription to Zoom with home charger installation for just £499. Plus discounts on public charging, parking and loads more.

Find Out More

Get in touch with Drayton Motors Kia in Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire to start your Plug-in Hybrid experience.

Electric Range: How far can I go?

Compare the electric range and charge times between models.

Sportage

The mild hybrid,hybrid,plug-in hybrid Sportage delivers a range of up to 43 miles* on a single charge.

Electric Range 43 miles
All-New Niro PHEV

The plug-in hybrid All-New Niro PHEV delivers a range of up to 40 miles* on a single charge.

Electric Range 40 miles
Sorento

The plug-in hybrid,hybrid Sorento delivers a range of up to 35 miles* on a single charge.

Electric Range 35 miles
The New XCeed PHEV

The plug-in hybrid The New XCeed PHEV delivers a range of up to 30 miles* on a single charge.

Electric Range 30 miles

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Drayton Motors Kia Boston

Drayton Motors Kia Grantham

Drayton Motors Kia Louth

Drayton Motors Kia Scunthorpe

The home of: Kia Plug-In Hybrid Cars.

More than you expect from Kia at Drayton Motors Kia.

Take the lead. Drive electrified.

Sportage

The New XCeed PHEV

All-New Niro PHEV

Kia Sorento

Reasons to drive a Kia PHEV

Low emissions driving

Cheaper to run

Charge at home

Relaxing drive