Hybrid cars ‘more expensive to run than firms suggest’

PLUG-IN hybrid cars could cost motorists more than £600 more a year in fuel costs than manufacturers claim, according to research.

Consumer watchdog Which? tested 22 popular models of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and found they were between 39 and 72 per cent less fuel efficient than their official rating.

Researchers used tests that better matched real-world conditions, Which? said, including running the car with the air conditioning and radio on.

The tests were done on the vehicle when it had a full battery and when it had an empty battery to calculate overall fuel efficiency.

The BMW X5 was found to be 72 per cent less efficient than official figures, potentially costing the owner £669 more a year in fuel.

Which? said prospective buyers who had easy access to charging should consider buying a full electric car, which would be cheaper and cleaner to run.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are still cheaper for short journeys with regular battery charging than a traditional combustion engine.

Natalie Hitchins, head of home products and services at Which?, said: “A fuel-efficient plug-in hybrid vehicle is an attractive feature for prospective buyers, as many will expect to spend less on fuel and reduce their carbon footprint. Yet our research shows many hybrid models are not as efficient as the manufacturers claim, which means motorists could be spending more on fuel than they anticipated.

“It is clear that the standard set for calculating fuel consumption is flawed and should be reviewed to better reflect real-life driving conditions. This would ensure manufacturers advertise more accurate figures and consumers have a better understanding of how much they should expect to spend on fuel.”

The best model in the tests was the Toyota Prius, but even that was found to be 39 per cent below its official fuel economy rating, leaving drivers spend- ing an extra £171.45 a year than they might expect.

A BMW spokesman said official tests show “plug-in hybrid electric technology, when the vehicles are charged reg- ularly as intended, can save significant fuel consumption and emissions over the equivalent petrol or diesel models”.

A Toyota spokesman said: “Without knowing the testing regime undertaken in this particular study, it is impossible for car manufacturers to draw comparisons. Under the right conditions, plugin hybrid vehicles offer an excellent transition to zero-emission mobility.”