Skip advert
Advertisement

The smart money is being spent on hybrid cars

Mike Rutherford thinks hybrids sit in the sweet spot between cheaper petrol and diesel models and more expensive pure-electric cars

Opinion - Toyota Yaris Cross

In 2021, in what was approximately my 1,300th weekly column for Auto Express, I told our ruling politicians this: if they really wanted drivers to abandon ICE in favour of pricier, electric cars, it was – and still is – essential for them to be financially incentivised, on an immediate and ongoing basis.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Later the same year, I offered additional free advice that the easy and colossal ‘profit’ that Governments make on every pricey EV sold to private consumers was – and still is – excessive and unjustifiable.

Furthermore, I told our political ‘leaders’ what they apparently didn’t – and still don’t – know: that as they desperately try to turn consumers on to EVs, they’re turning them off, via punitively high Value Added Tax. In 2021, my stated solution was a 50 per cent cut in the standard 20 per cent VAT rate on some EVs.

Wind forward four years, and the automotive industry in Britain (via its trade body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) made a ‘new’ formal announcement that opened with the words “Incentives needed” if more EVs are to be sold to real-world customers. A further plea was a halving of VAT on new EV purchases! I’m happy that my ideas are being nicked. But why adopt them now, rather than four wasted years ago?

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Honestly, the car manufacturing industry and Governments of all colours must look, listen, learn and act quickly when they’re on the receiving end of gratis, solid advice, suggestions, constructive criticism and more from the likes of concerned journalists in the field and the most important people of all – consumers. It’s the latter who are expected to pay a basic price of, say, £50,000 to a manufacturer for a fairly average EV, plus a further VAT payment of £10,000 to the Government which, in effect, cops an undeserved tip of 20 per cent, or 10 grand, in the process. Talk about money for nothing.

Another crucial point I’ve been banging on about for years is that sensibly priced hybrid cars, which sit in the sensible sweet spot between slightly cheaper pure-petrol/pure-diesel models on one side, and generally expensive 100 per cent-electrics on the other, do not deserve to be banned from showrooms in 2030 or even 2035.

I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again: for a while now, the smart money is being spent by the smartest consumers on appropriately priced hybrids. And recently, the Government apparently woke up, got real and quietly indicated it agrees with me that such tech is very much part of the short, mid and long-term future.

For legal and other reasons, there are restrictions on what I can reveal here. But what I can say at this highly sensitive stage of the game is this: one of my trusted and reliable Whitehall insiders has dropped strong hints that hybrids are about to enjoy a lengthy stay of execution. Now that’s what I call justice. Long live the humble hybrid.

Used hybrid car deals

5 Series

2020 BMW

5 Series

51,970 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £18,299
View 5 Series
Corolla

2022 Toyota

Corolla

57,415 milesAutomaticPetrol1.8L

Cash £15,990
View Corolla
Corolla

2022 Toyota

Corolla

79,080 milesAutomaticPetrol1.8L

Cash £13,990
View Corolla
Tucson

2023 Hyundai

Tucson

29,261 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £24,490
View Tucson
A-Class Saloon

2023 Mercedes

A-Class Saloon

61,245 milesAutomaticPetrol1.3L

Cash £17,697
View A-Class Saloon
Range Rover Evoque

2023 Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

32,368 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £23,495
View Range Rover Evoque
Range Rover Evoque

2023 Land Rover

Range Rover Evoque

12,482 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £28,995
View Range Rover Evoque
A3 Sportback

2024 Audi

A3 Sportback

64,052 milesAutomaticPetrol1.4L

Cash £16,200
View A3 Sportback
508

2020 Peugeot

508

40,000 milesAutomaticPetrol1.6L

Cash £14,000
View 508
Skip advert
Advertisement
Chief columnist

Mike was one of the founding fathers of Auto Express in 1988. He's been motoring editor on four tabloid newspapers - London Evening News, The Sun, News of the World & Daily Mirror. He was also a weekly columnist on the Daily Telegraph, The Independent and The Sunday Times. 

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught
Skoda Epiq vRS exclusive image

New Skoda Epiq vRS to headline brand’s hot-SUV onslaught

Every future Skoda will get the go-faster treatment, with the brand also working on making cars sharper and more engaging
News
27 Jun 2025
Marcos is back! British sportscar brand’s big plan, and swirling controversy
Marcos, interior

Marcos is back! British sportscar brand’s big plan, and swirling controversy

Development is already underway on the first all-new Marcos cars in roughly 20 years
News
27 Jun 2025
Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal
BMW M5 Touring - front action

Car Deal of the Day: 717bhp BMW M5 Touring super-estate on a tasty lease deal

The BMW M5 Touring is M car royalty, with a thoroughly impressive PHEV powertrain. It’s our Deal of the Day for 29 June
News
29 Jun 2025