How to choose the best hybrid or electric car in New Zealand

With a focus on hybrids, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs), we cover a lot of commonly seen new and used vehicles you’ll find in New Zealand car showrooms.

Hybrid and electric motor types

Hybrid cars

Hybrid cars have a small electric motor and battery that is recharged by the petrol engine and regenerative braking. The most common type, the mild hybrid, has an electric motor that’s powerful enough to drive the car. However, this motor will generally cut out when you approach 50km/h, at which point, the petrol motor takes over.

You don’t need to plug in hybrid cars. They work just like any other petrol car you’ve driven – they’re just more fuel efficient.

Plug-in hybrid cars (PHEVs)

PHEVs are the next step up from hybrid cars. The electric motor and batteries are bigger –we’ve seen PHEVs that claimed an all-electric range of over 90km. The batteries can be recharged by the petrol motor and regenerative braking. However, the bulk of charging is done by plugging the car into the electricity network at home each day. If you can get most of your travel done on the electric motor, you will have some cheap running costs. Just remember that PHEVs have the same servicing requirements as petrol cars.

Electric cars (EVs)

EVs have a large-capacity battery and a large electric motor, or motors. They are nowhere near as complex as hybrid cars and PHEVs as they have fewer moving parts. This reduces their servicing requirements. The main trade-offs are:

• less range than petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles

• longer waiting time for charging, compared with a quick refuel at a petrol station.

What size hybrid car or EV do you need?

Getting the right size hybrid car or EV is important as going too big or small can be costly, especially with new car depreciation.

Buying a bigger car can give you extra space, but you’ll have to contend with less manoeuvrability and parking restrictions.

The most popular size of hybrid or EV currently is the compact SUV. Its shorter length makes parking easier, but it sits higher off the ground. This gives better visibility and makes the vehicle easier to get in and out of. Plus, hybrid or EV compact SUVs seem to be holding their value. They do come at a premium though. A hatchback hybrid or EV with the equivalent amount of interior space would be much cheaper.

If you regularly cart around passengers, you’ll need something large enough to fit everyone comfortably. If that’s the case, you’ll be looking at a large SUV hybrid, PHEV or EV.

Safety features to look for in a hybrid car or EV

The first thing to look for in a hybrid car or EV is safety features that will help protect people both inside and outside the car. You can find the vehicle’s safety rating at rightcar.co.nz.

The more stars a vehicle has, the safer it is. Features like airbags, traction control and electronic stability control have been around for a long time and are mandatory for all vehicles coming into the country.

Newer features to covet include:

Autonomous emergency braking

This system monitors what’s going on in front of your hybrid car or EV. It constantly measures the distance to the vehicle in front. If that distance rapidly shrinks (because the car in front stops or slows suddenly), the system in your car will apply the brakes if you don’t do so first. This can be a lifesaver in cases where you are momentarily distracted.

Front and rear cross traffic alert

This feature looks out to the sides when you’re reversing or driving forwards out of a park. It warns you if someone’s coming. It comes in very handy, especially when you are surrounded by taller vehicles. Rear cross alerts are reasonably common. Front cross alerts feature on new hybrid and EVs, though you won’t see them on all models.

Lane keep assist

This system keeps your hybrid car or EV in your lane. The best ones gently nudge the steering wheel to keep you in the right place when you’re on the highway. Not all lane keep assist systems are built the same. Some do a really good job of keeping things straight and level – others are an intrusive pain. Be sure to take a car for a test drive to make sure you can work with it.