If you’re someone who clocks up a lot of miles in your company car, then it might be time to look towards a hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle.
Not only do they often offer electric-only driving, but they’re also favoured by the UK tax rules over diesel cars.
Here are 10 hybrids to consider for your next company car:
Mercedes E 300 de
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There are two reasons why we love the Mercedes E 300 de. Firstly, it screams ‘executive business person’, and secondly, it’s highly unusual in that it’s powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine, when most hybrids have a petrol engine.
This setup means that the E 300 de is a very efficient saloon, promising up to 235.4mpg. And what’s even better is that when the electric power runs out, you still have the backing of a reliable diesel engine that features in other Mercedes models across the range.
On top of this, the running costs are kept low thanks to the efficiency of the engine and the incredible build quality of this German-made vehicle.
Toyota Corolla
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Like the Toyota Prius, the Corolla is a full hybrid, which means it charges itself so there’s no need to plug it in.
There are two hybrid engines on offer, which include a 1.8-litre 122hp unit and a 184hp 2.0-litre hybrid engine. Both are great engines and promise to return around 60mpg when working alongside the in-built hybrid system.
The Toyota Corolla may not be the most powerful or sporty car in the world, but what it is good at is just driving. Whether it’s covering long motorway distances or driving through cities, the Corolla is great at it, and with the added help of its electric motor, you can drive in electric-only mode at slow speeds around towns and city centres.
Mini Countryman PHEV
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The Mini Countryman PHEV is currently the brand’s only plug-in hybrid, and this speaks volumes.
This small SUV with hatchback-like driving characteristics is a fun yet sensible choice for someone looking to enter hybrid ownership. Not only is it fun on a tight, twisty road, but a used Mini Countryman offers so much more on longer journeys.
Sure, it may weigh more than a standard Countryman because of all its extra onboard gear, but Mini claims it still offers a 310-mile range, which is largely thanks to its hybrid assistance that comes from a 9.6kWh battery pack.
BMW 530e
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If you’re a true executive business person, then the likelihood is you’ve got your eye on a BMW 5 Series because it seems to be the obvious choice.
But why think about getting a filthy diesel one when you could get yourself a swanky new plug-in hybrid version as your next company car?
The BMW 5 Series is a refined luxury car that comes with low company-car tax and a very large boot to store all your important things. Plus, choosing a used BMW will mean you save money compared to purchasing brand-new.
Power comes from a 2.0-litre petrol engine that’s aided by a 95hp electric motor and an 11.5kWh battery pack that gives it up to 37 miles of all-electric range.
This is plenty of range to get you through a busy city or for your daily commute (assuming it’s less than 40 miles, that is).
Ford Kuga Hybrid
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If you’re after a great all-rounder that’s cheap to run and offers a great plug-in hybrid system, then the Kuga Hybrid is a car you should consider.
Being a plug-in hybrid, the used Ford Kuga has the capability of utilising its all-electric range, which is up to 35 miles on a single charge. If you don’t wish to run solely on electricity, the car will pair the motor with its 2.5-litre petrol engine to offer up to 201.8mpg, according to Ford.
It’s also practical, offering a decent 412-litre boot and plenty of legroom at the rear, should you need to transport colleagues.
Watch our BMW 3 Series Hybrid review
Land Rover Discovery Sport P300e
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When someone mentions Land Rover, the first thing that may pop into your head is off-roading diesels with big V8s, but this isn’t really the case anymore. Instead, what you get is a luxurious plug-in hybrid that will eat up the miles on any road surface.
Being a PHEV, you do get some all-electric range, which, according to Land Rover, is about 30 miles on a single charge. This is enough for most people’s work commutes or a short drive through a city or large town.
Powering the Land Rover Discovery Sport P300e is a 1.5-litre 200hp petrol engine, which is mated to a 109hp electric motor that’s powered by a 15kWh battery.
For longer journeys, very little else for less than £40,000 is going to come close to the Discovery Sport in terms of luxury and comfort.
Volvo V60 Recharge
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Estates often seem to be the choice of car for the average business person, and it isn’t difficult to see why. The Volvo V60 Recharge is the perfect example of an estate that offers superb boot space, a comfortable ride and seats, and a very efficient overall plug-in hybrid system.
There’s a reason the used Volvo V60 is popular as a police vehicle, and that’s because it’s a seriously quick piece of kit. The range-topping T8 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine that’s mated to an electric motor to put out a combined 318hp, or 253hp if you opt for the lesser T6.
Being a PHEV, you can plug the V60 Recharge into the mains to give it some extra juice, which when fully charged promises up to 34 miles.
Peugeot 508 PSE
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One of the nicest cars Peugeot has ever made is finally circulating the used car market, and we couldn’t think of many other cars that offer the kind of performance the 508 PSE does.
You may be surprised to hear this is the most powerful production car Peugeot has ever made, and it’s a cracking choice for those wanting something a little bit different while still being economical.
Powering the mighty 508 PSE is a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine mated to an electric motor to produce a whopping 355hp, which gives it a 0-60mph time of 5.2 seconds. Since this is a plug-in hybrid, you can expect up to 26 miles of all-electric range on a single charge.
Skoda Superb iV
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The Skoda Superb iV is a plug-in hybrid that offers a lot of value for your money, much like the Enyaq iV.
Being an estate, the Skoda Superb is highly practical, and it also offers low company-car tax – what’s not to love?
Power comes from a 1.4-litre engine that’s mated to a hybrid set-up to offer up a claimed 200mpg. In electric-only mode, you can expect to get up to 35 miles on a single charge, which beats a vast number of its close rivals.
BMW 330e
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Like the 530e, the BMW 330e may seem like an obvious businessperson’s choice when it comes to buying a company car, but this is probably one of the most suitable vehicles for the job.
Powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine with help from a 113hp electric motor, a used BMW 330e can boast 157mpg and an all-electric range of 31 miles.
Opt for the estate version and you have a car that can do it all, from long motorway journeys with lots of luggage to shorter city trips in zero-emission luxury. There’s very little you can throw at this car that it won’t be able to do, which is why we love it so much.
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