Best of Both Worlds: The Benefits of Buying a Hybrid

Thinking of buying a new car? Think hybrid. A hybrid combines two engines in the one car – a petrol engine and an electric motor - both of which can propel it. It may sound complicated but in fact the new wave of hybrid cars are extremely easy to drive. And they offer a host of other benefits too. Here are just some of the reasons you should consider making your next car a hybrid.

Easy to Drive

With two engines working in tandem, a hybrid car is automatic - which means less work for you. You simply slot the gear stick into ‘drive’ and enjoy the ride. The petrol engine kicks in automatically at higher speeds and the two engines work together when needed. And when you accelerate in a hybrid, the high-output electric motor delivers a smooth driving experience which makes shift shock a thing of the past. For fluid and sustained acceleration, hybrids beat conventional petrol vehicles hands down.

Noiseless

When running in the electric engine only (EV mode) a hybrid is almost completely silent. This cuts down on noise pollution and means you won’t experience any harsh revving noises - making your daily driving a much more tranquil experience. And forget about waking the neighbours up when you leave for work early in the morning - you’ll sneak out like a ninja.

Better for the Environment

On average, a hybrid car emits almost half the CO2 of an equivalent size petrol engine car. And hybrids also produce very low levels of harmful nitrogen oxides in comparison to cars with diesel engines. All of which means they’re better for the environment – and your conscience.

Fuel Efficient

Hybrids are all about conserving energy and making the most efficient use of fuel possible. They're able to do this by making clever use of automatic features, like switching off the engine when it's not needed to save on fuel and using excess power from the engine to recharge the battery. This will have an impact on your pocket too. Drivers of hybrids can expect lower rates of car tax because they use less fuel and emit less CO2 than most non-hybrid vehicles.

Less Wear and Tear

Most hybrids are equipped with regenerative braking systems, which can recover a significant percentage of the energy ordinarily lost to braking in a conventional vehicle. As well as providing extra energy for the engine, this means that there is a lot less wear and tear on the brake pads and they don’t need to be replaced as often. Which means fewer visits to the mechanic for you.

Planning to Join the Hybrid Revolution?

Use the AIB Car Finance Calculator to see how much you can borrow with a car loan from AIB. AIB offer loans from €1,000 with a loan decision in just three hours*. You can apply online through AIB Internet Banking, the AIB App. You can also book a branch appointment or phone 0818 724 725 if you’d like to speak to someone in person.

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