It used to be a simple choice: petrol or diesel. Now there is a third (and fourth) option on every forecourt, and the right answer genuinely depends on how you drive. So instead of telling you which is best, here is an honest look at all three, and how to match them to a real Yorkshire commute.

Start with how you actually drive

Before comparing technology, picture a normal week. Roughly how many miles do you cover? Is it short, stop-start runs around Barnsley and into Sheffield, or longer motorway stints up and down the M1? And crucially, can you charge at home? Those three answers point you to the right fuel type faster than any spec sheet.

Petrol: simple, cheap to buy, still sensible for some

Best for lower mileages, smaller budgets, and drivers who want zero fuss. Petrol remains the most affordable way into a car at the point of purchase, and used petrol models are plentiful and cheap to repair. For someone doing modest miles who wants a low up-front price and total simplicity, a good used petrol car is still a perfectly sensible choice in 2026.

The trade-offs: fuel costs are higher per mile than charging an EV at home, and as the UK moves toward the end of new petrol and diesel sales in 2035, long-term resale values are worth keeping in mind. To be clear, there is no ban on driving petrol cars, and there will not be; it is only about new-car sales.

Hybrid: the flexible middle ground

Best for mixed driving, drivers curious about electric but not ready to fully commit, and anyone without easy home charging. Hybrids pair a petrol engine with an electric motor, and they come in two main types:

Self-charging (full) hybrids top up their small battery as you drive and brake, with no plugging in required. Great for cutting fuel use in town traffic.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) have a larger battery you charge up, giving a useful electric-only range for short trips, with the petrol engine for longer ones.

A hybrid is often the smartest pick for someone who likes the idea of electric driving but does the occasional long trip or cannot yet charge at home. You get lower fuel bills in town and the reassurance of a petrol tank for everything else.

Electric: lowest running costs, if it fits your life

Best for predictable daily mileage, home or easy local charging, and drivers who want the cheapest and smoothest day-to-day experience. A used EV is hard to beat on running costs if you can charge at home, often just a few pence per mile overnight, plus quiet, smooth, instant performance and simpler servicing. The choice of used electric cars is wider and more affordable than ever in 2026.

The honest caveats: you will want home or reliable local charging to get the best of it. And one update worth knowing: since April 2025, EVs pay road tax (VED) like other cars, so the old free road tax line no longer applies. Company-car (BIK) tax for EVs remains very low, though, which keeps them popular for business drivers.

So which should you choose?

Short, local miles and a tight budget? A good used petrol could be all you need.
A real mix of town and long trips, or no home charger yet? A hybrid gives you the best of both.
Steady daily mileage and somewhere to charge? An EV will likely be the cheapest and nicest to live with.

There is no universally right answer, only the right answer for your week. That is the conversation we love having on the forecourt: not pushing a particular badge, but matching the car to how you actually drive.

Frequently asked questions

Is a hybrid better than a full electric car?

Neither is better outright. A hybrid suits mixed driving and people without home charging, while a full EV suits predictable mileage with charging access and gives the lowest running costs.

Will petrol cars be banned in 2035?

No. 2035 is the planned end of new petrol and diesel car sales. You can still drive, buy used, and maintain petrol cars well beyond that.

Do plug-in hybrids need charging?

To get the benefit, yes. You charge the battery for electric-only running on short trips, with the petrol engine covering longer journeys.

Can you help me decide which to buy?

Absolutely. Tell us your typical mileage and whether you can charge at home, and we will point you toward the cars that genuinely fit, whether petrol, hybrid or electric.

Browse petrol, hybrid and electric stock all in one place at anycolourcar.com, or visit our Genn Lane showroom in Barnsley for honest, no-pressure advice.

Petrol, Hybrid or Electric? Choosing the Right Used Car for Your Yorkshire Commute