Recommend a hybrid barge

[Zstar]

I’ve been flicking through the used car adverts for a comfortable family car (one child and a Shelty) that can waft us away on weekend trips in comfort, whilst still being cheap to run (ie no or low car tax, congestion zone exempt, plus battery only for short trips). Looking at the S500 plug in hybrid and Volvo XC90 T8, there do seem to be options out there for sub £30k and 5 years old.

However there doesn’t seem to be that many user experiences out on the inter web - what would the world of PH recommend in this niche area, and how have you found the ownership experience to date?

[raspy]

From 25th October this year, those two cars you are looking at as well as all plug in hybrids will no longer qualify for exemption from paying congestion charge. Only EVs will qualify.

[a311]

There are some XC90 T8 owners if you head over to the Volvo owners forum. I've been considering one myself but COVID and long term WFH has reslly shaken up my car requirements.

There are currently some lease deals amkong the T8 simialr money to the equivalent diesel model. On the face of it you're getting 20-30 miles on pure electric for short trips then plenty of power on tap when you want it. However if you're doing lots of longer trips the premium over the non hybrid models will buy you a lot of fuel and RFL i.e. it's unlikely to pay back the premium on purchase price.

They're lovley cars, and the T8 is well kitted out. Feels like the current XC90 has been around a while so a new model can't be too far off.

[ZX10R NIN]

The Hybrids will now be charged for congestion & depending who wins the Mayoral election EV's may well be charged too, which makes sense when you think that it's a Congestion Charge & therefore your drivetrain has nothing to do with you being part of the congestion.

What type of journeys do you do because depending on your type of travel a hybrid may not be the best solution for you.