Buy a hybrid if you want a balance of efficiency and convenience without relying on charging infrastructure

There’s (green) blood in the streets, but you’re still thinking of buying an EV. Well, here are five sensible hybrids and a fancy one for those who like to fox around in flash cars.

EV prices are dropping like stones not just because of Tesla founder Elon Musk but because of increased competition particularly from China. Picture: Chip Somodevilla / POOL / AFP

So about 70 per cent of you say you are not even thinking about an EV!

Yes, this paper’s own Jared Lynch revealed this week that less than a third of Australians say they are considering buying an EV – down from 56 per cent in June 2022.

So, should you buy an EV now when there’s blood in the streets? Are you the type who invests like a person that picks up pennies in front of a steamroller or runs into the burning building?

The reasons you would are that EVs are quieter (not a benefit in my book), generally lower maintenance and over time, better for the environment.

Downsides (based on extensive US and UK independent research) are: EVs are not as reliable as petrol or hybrids; replacing the battery can cost more than the car; generally your new EV will be worth a lot less than a hybrid or petrol car when you drive out of the showroom, if you don’t live in a capital city range anxiety is a big thing and the environmental payback period for an EV – the time it takes for its lower emissions to offset the extra emissions from its production for the average EV sold in Australia – is five years.

Here’s the skinny.

EV prices are falling

Prices are dropping like stones not because of Elon but because of increased competition particularly from China, government incentives, and improving battery technology. So depreciation risk is frightening.

Range anxiety is still a thing

Australia has over 5,000 public chargers but if you live in the sticks, finding one causes severe range anxiety on long trips. Remember 90 per cent of all electric vehicles are still on the road … the other 10 per cent made it home.

Who do EVs suit?

• Teals

• People wanting to show off how green they are while flying twenty of their closest friends to one of their five luxury homes in Noosa (South Yarra by the sea) by private jet.

• City drivers with short commutes and home charging.

• Early adopters comfortable with tech evolution risks. There is a reason Netflix’s new thriller is Towering Inferno, a movie based on a multi-story EV car park. Of course, sex in an EV in a car park is wrong on so many levels.

Who do hybrids suit?

• Drivers needing flexibility (no charging access/long trips)

• Cost-conscious buyers seeking fuel savings without upfront EV costs

• People with green commitment issues

And who do petrol/diesel cars suit?

• Budget buyers prioritising low upfront costs

• Those in regions with minimal charging infrastructure

• Genuine Australians

My recommendations

You wait to buy an EV if you’re risk-averse about losing a lot of money, are incontinent, want to drive outside a capital or any city with more than a million people, or expect significant tech improvements like unexploding, cheap batteries.

Buy a hybrid if you want a balance of efficiency and convenience without relying on charging infrastructure. In other words, you have more than half a brain.

Stick with petrol if upfront cost is critical, you want to relax on your weekend away and you don’t want to spend an hour at the servo.

Overall, buy a hybrid if you’re not petrol head.

What hybrids to buy

If you still want to buy a new hybrid car here are five sensible recommendations and one for old truck drivers who like to fox around in flash cars or for a Double Bay techie who just became the major sponsor of the Williams F1 team.

1.Honda Civic hybrid, about $50k and great value.

Old fashioned build quality is on offer with a Honda Civic hybrid.

Hondas are just great cars. They seem a bit overpriced but that’s because they have old fashioned build quality and will last longer than you. The Civic is now the best drive in the range.

2. Hyundai Santa Fehybrid at $55k is probably the better buy than the all-electric VW ID Buzz (aka a Kombi) at $80k. Just perfect for families with lots of ankle biters who want to save at the servo.

3.Lexus NX hybrid

Yes, it’s based on a RAV 4 ($42k for the hybrid) and yes it costs $65k but that’s like saying the Lambo Urus ($450k) is based on the Volkswagen Touareg (which it is). If you’re sensible and have a bit extra any Lexus (except the SUVs) are a great buy. They will last as long as a Civic, but with service you can’t believe.

4.Toyota Corolla hybrid, $35k

There’s lots to like about a Toyota Corolla hybrid.

There was a time when you couldn’t park a Corolla in an RSL car park, and then suddenly Toyota dominated Australia. Not as good a car maker today as they were at their peak, but the Corolla is still great, even really great and look at the price. But don’t buy the Camry unless you want everyone to think you are an Uber driver.

5.Mitsubishi Outlander hybrid, $65k

Here’s another last forever car. If you’re going to buy an SUV have a look at the Outlander. You should be able to do a deal because there’s a new model on the way.

6.Mercedes-AMG ONE hybrid, $5m

You might get lucky and be able to find one of the just 275 Mercedes-AMG Project ONE cars.

Look, the Mercsters only made 275 of these and they are all sold out but I’m sure you could pick up one of the eight are coming to Australia because one of the buyers will eventually realise you can’t drive it on the road here because the steering wheel is on the wrong side. Here’s what you get for $5m: fuel consumption of 14.6 l/100km; hit the loud pedal at the traffic lights and you’re at 200km/h in 7.0 seconds then 300 km/h in 15.6 seconds only your way to 352 km/h.

By the way, the AMG ONE will go faster than that but the good burghers at the Affalterbach factory in the Stuttgart have limited it in case one of the kiddies takes it for a run. And despite being somewhat electric it still sounds like sex.

Inside you sit in AMG Motorsport bucket seats, hold a Formula 1-style steering wheel with knobs for driving programs and the knobs who will buy them.