All you need to know about buying and driving hybrid cars in Ireland
What is a Hybrid?
Hybrid cars combine a conventional petrol or diesel engine with an electric motor. The electric motor assists the engine so that the car consumes less fuel and emits less emissions. Hybrid cars can save you considerable costs on fuel and even recharge their batteries without being plugged in.
Hybrid vs Electric – What is the difference?
Electric Vehicles are fully powered by an electric motor and rely on a battery which needs to be charged. Hybrid and Plug-in hybrid cars on the other hand contain an electric motor that will power the car but also combine a petrol/diesel engine that can work in tandem with the electric motor.
Are hybrid cars popular in Ireland?
Almost two thirds of Irish motorists plan to purchase an electric or hybrid car in the near future according to the latest edition of the Carzone Motoring Report. Similarly, searches for hybrid cars on Carzone have increased.
Lexus RX SUV
According to a recent Carzone survey of over 1,500 Irish motorists, 70 percent of us plan to buy an electric or hybrid car in the near future. The large and luxurious Lexus RX has pioneered hybrid technology for over a decade now, and the new model promises improvements in all areas, including styling, drive and comfort.
Lexus ES300h Saloon
Lexus is gunning for success in the lucrative executive saloon space with an all-new hybrid model for 2019. This is the ES, a sharply-styled saloon that replaces the Lexus GS of old and features advanced hybrid technology, a comforting front wheel drive platform and the brand’s latest styling advancements.
Lexus UX 250h
Lexus has launched several new models to the Irish market of late, including the sophisticated ES executive saloon, the family-friendly RX-L seven seat SUV and its first ever compact crossover model in the UX. The popularity of compact crossovers is undoubthedly rising in Ireland, as is the uptake in hybrid technology.
Toyota Corolla Saloon
The Toyota Corolla is the world’s best-selling car with almost 50 million sales to date, bolstered by the launch of an all-new hatchback and saloon models for 2019. Although the Corolla was replaced by the Auris in recent years, the Corolla returns for 2019 much to the delight of its Irish fans.
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Following a fifteen year hiatus, the Toyota Camry returns to Ireland in modern splendour, with sharp new styling and hybrid technology at its core. The original Camry has been a monumental sales success for Toyota around the world thanks to its famed reliability and comfort, and first impressions of the new model are very good indeed.
Toyota Yaris Review
2017 has been an exciting year for the supermini segment with a host of newly-launched models to choose from in the class. The most notable new model launches include the Ford Fiesta, SEAT Ibiza and Nissan Micra, along with this, the new Toyota Yaris
Lexus LC 500h Review
The new Lexus LC is one of the most exciting cars to arrive in Ireland of late, and you only have to look at it to see why. With jaw dropping styling, a sumptious interior and the firm’s most advanced hybrid technology to date, the LC is a tempting alternative to luxury coupes such as the BMW 6 Series and Jaguar F-Type.
BMW 7 Series Review
The days of fuel-guzzling luxury cars are well and truly behind us it seems, as many of the best cars in the class are starting to move to plug-in hybrid technology. For the first time ever, BMW ’s 7 Series is available with the firm’s i technology, which mixes a four cylinder petrol engine and a fully electric motor for powerful and economical motoring.
Volkswagen Golf GTE Review
The Volkswagen Golf is one of few cars on the market that is available in petrol, diesel, electric and plug-in hybrid guise. The Golf GTE is the plug-in hybrid option in range, and it is rather sporty by plug-in hybrid standards.
