Electric, hybrid or petrol/diesel: which to choose in 2026?
The right powertrain depends first on three things: whether you can charge at home or at work, how many kilometres you drive each year, and the kind of journeys you make (city, road, motorway). The table below gives the most common answer for your situation; Compar'Car then refines it with your full profile.
Which powertrain for your situation?
| Your situation | Look at first | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Home or workplace charging, regular daily journeys | Electric | Charging at home costs far less than fuel, and servicing is simpler. |
| Charging possible, but frequent long journeys | Plug-in hybrid, or a long-range electric car | A plug-in hybrid covers daily use on electric power and long trips on petrol, provided you charge it regularly. |
| No charging possible, mixed city and road driving | Hybrid (non plug-in) | It uses little fuel in town without any plugging in. |
| Under 10,000 km a year, tight purchase budget | Petrol, new or recent used | On low mileage, a low purchase price matters more than energy savings. |
| Lots of motorway, over 25,000 km a year | Recent diesel or hybrid; electric if fast chargers line your routes | Diesel stays efficient at steady speed; check traffic restrictions in your area (low-emission zones). |
Key figures from the Compar'Car catalogue
For each powertrain, the number of models sold new in our catalogue and the lowest entry new price in the public price list.
| Powertrain | New models | Entry new price from | Cheapest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 190 | €16,900 | Dacia Spring |
| Plug-in hybrid | 115 | €30,990 | BYD Sealion 5 |
| Hybrid | 58 | €19,990 | MG MG3 |
| Mild hybrid 48 V | 105 | €14,500 | Fiat 500 |
| Petrol | 138 | €12,500 | Dacia Sandero |
| Diesel | 80 | €24,000 | Opel Crossland |
| LPG | 5 | €16,150 | Dacia Sandero |
What to compare beyond the purchase price
- Energy cost per kilometre: it varies widely depending on whether you charge at home, at a public charger, or fill up.
- Servicing and insurance, which differ by powertrain and power.
- Depreciation: what the car will be worth when you sell it, which differs a lot between models and powertrains.
- Incentives and taxation (purchase grants, penalties, company-car tax), which change every year: check the ones in force before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy an electric car rather than a hybrid or a petrol/diesel one?
It mostly depends on charging. If you can charge at home and your journeys are regular, electric is often the cheapest to run. Without charging, a hybrid is a better compromise. For a small budget and low mileage, a petrol car still makes sense.
Is a plug-in hybrid really economical?
Only if you charge it regularly. Without charging, it often uses more fuel than a regular hybrid because it carries a heavier battery.
Does diesel still make sense?
For high mileage on roads and motorways, a recent diesel is still relevant, subject to local traffic restrictions (low-emission zones) and resale value.
How does Compar'Car help me choose?
You enter your budget, use, journeys and whether you can charge. Compar'Car then ranks new and used vehicles, electric, hybrid and petrol/diesel, in a single basket according to that profile.
Find the powertrain that suits you
Enter your profile and compare up to 8 vehicles, new and used, any powertrain. It's free.