Fuel types: the pros and cons

Hybrid, electric, hydrogen-fuel cell

For: Hybrid petrol-electric engines are cleaner and more efficient than diesel and petrol vehicles. In traffic, hybrids can run solely on electric power, reducing emissions dramatically. Electric vehicles can be recharged overnight and emit no emissions, while fuel-cell and hydrogen-powered vehicles emit only water from their tailpipes.


Against: Hybrids are much more expensive than petrol vehicles. It takes a long time for the cheaper fuel to pay you back for your initial outlay. Batteries are expensive to replace. Electric vehicles are also limited in their range and indirectly use fossil fuels through the electricity grid. Fuel-cell and hydrogen vehicles can experience problems with cold starts.