Five ways to get more from your plug -in

01 PRESERVE EV MOD E Remember that claimed EV mode is a best-case scenario, and that each car enables you to choose when to use it. If you’ve got a 60-mile return commute – faster roads initially, urban arteries later – and no charger at the office, select EV mode for in town and Hybrid when traffic flows to maximise e-travel.

02 GET A WALLBOX

Because PHEV batteries are smaller than pure EV batteries that can take eight hours to charge, it takes our test cars a maximum of 3 hours 45 minutes to juice up from a domestic socket (just 1.5 hours for the Prius). With overnight charging and a petrol engine in reserve, that may be fine but, for as little as £190, a higher-rated wallbox can cut charging to 2 hours 15 minutes, and under 1.5 hours for the Prius. The Prius gets a wallbox included free, but don’t pay over £ 285.

03 GET WORK TO COUGH UP FOR A CHARGE POINT

Not only is the government giving grants to private buyers to purchase PHEVs and home charge points, it’s also giving private companies up to 75 per cent off charge points. Chargemaster has supplied more firms than anyone else. Tell the boss to email sales@chargemasterplc.com.

04 PLAN YOUR CHARGING

All our plug-in hybrids let you program your charging times between certain hours. It means you can tap off-peak overnight charging rates, cutting costs further. Remember that electric cars gradually lose charge, so it’s best to finish charging not long before you intend to drive.

05 WATCH YOUR GADGETS

One neat trick offered by our three test cars is the ability to remotely pre-heat or cool the interior via apps before you drive. Combine that with the car being on charge, and you’ll have both maximum battery charge and the car set to your perfect temperature when you hop in. On the road, remember that all electric gizmos reduce battery life. No need to go all Amish, but don’t have stuff needlessly running in the background.