Hi Sean,

Given your relatively low mileage, you could easily make do with an EV. You could even buy a new model such as the Hyundai Inster, which would easily handle your mileage, even in winter, but we're guessing you're looking at the used market. And there are plenty of larger EVs of similar size to your Golf that aren't all that old and would do 300km at their worst between charges. Well worth thinking about if you have off-street parking so you can install your own EV charger. You'd never have to look at diesel or petrol prices again. 

But if you're not quite ready to go all-electric, yet you'd consider getting a charger installed, a plug-in hybrid could work for you, without any range anxiety. If you're only travelling 50km a day then most newer PHEVs should do most of that on electric power anyway. Admittedly, there aren't loads of good ones about within your budget.

A regular hybrid would be hassle-free of course, but only really economical at lower speeds. If you tend to drive quicker, or spend most mileage on free-flowing open roads or motorways, they'll use more fuel than a diesel.

It may seem like a massive change, but you do sound like the perfect candidate for an electric car. Even one without a massively long range.