Right now, 2026, one of the biggest reasons to choose between an electric vehicle (EV) and a hybrid depends primarily on your access to home charging (for the battery) and your typical daily mileage.
EVs offer the lowest long-term running costs and tax advantages, while hybrids provide better flexibility for those without access to reliable charging infrastructure or who frequently travel long distances.
EVs are increasingly seen as the better long-term financial and environmental choice for drivers with stable battery charging access (best if at home with solar panels).
So, if EVs are the best choice, according to what EV manufacturers claim, then why are EV manufacturers engineering and producing new state of the art plug-in and mild hybrid vehicles?
Why did Geely release an electric Proton eMAS 7 (from RM109,800) and then soon after a highly successful Proton eMAS 7 PHEV (launched with a price from RM109,800)?
Why did Chery Auto Group introduce a range of Super Hybrids?
Why is an electric car brand like BYD having a stable of new PHEV’s for sale?
This is why (one of the reasons) we have ‘held back’ our electric car purchase! There are too many considerations and the fast pace technology changes in battery technology, software management and also selling prices to consider.
Did you know that just weeks ago BYD introduced a groundbreaking “Flash Charging” technology using 2nd-generation Blade Batteries, achieving 10%-70% charge in just 5 minutes or 10%-97% in 9 minutes. Paired with 1,500kW liquid-cooled chargers, this technology supports 1000V architecture, reduces internal resistance by 50%, and includes cold-weather optimisation (20%-97% in 12 mins at -30°C).
The above technology will make all current BYD vehicles less desirable in the used car market in coming years.
This below is our analysis why there is a strong move towards plug-in and mild hybrids by Chinese EV manufacturers.
Chinese car manufacturers after making fast expansion across Asia, Africa and South America realised that the take-up rate of electric vehicles started to slow down in 2025 and now in 2026.
Why? Well, the purchase incentives provided by nearly all governments (Malaysia had a tax free status for EV’s until December 31st 2025) to get car buyers to move towards an EV has ended and Chinese car manufacturers pivoted quickly to solve the problem by engineering a different powertrain, hybrid!
The Japanese auto manufacturers (Honda and Toyota) have for decades said that ‘Hybrid’ is the way to go and they were ignored by many.
Now, BYD, Chery, Great Wall Motor, GAC and Geely (to name a few) are bringing to market 1.5L and 2.0L petrol engines with battery hybrid power that promise up to 1,100km of range on one full tank of fuel with a fully charged battery.
So, with countries still struggling to delivery adequate battery charging infrastructure (Malaysia’s goal is still far short from what they promised) the hybrid powertrain will be popular in coming years.
Will Honda and Toyota start looking more towards hybrids in the coming years or not?
