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Fuel Prices Rising ! What Used Nearly New Ford for sale do you buy ?

Ford Plug-In Hybrid vs Diesel: How Much Could You Save on Fuel?

Rising Fuel Prices: Is a Ford Plug-In Hybrid Worth Considering?

With petrol and diesel prices remaining high across the UK, the cost of running a vehicle is becoming an increasingly important factor when choosing your next car or commercial vehicle.

For many drivers, the question isn't simply "How much does the vehicle cost?" It's:

"How much will it cost me to run every month?"

For drivers who regularly make shorter journeys and have access to home charging via a three-pin plug, a Ford Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) could provide an opportunity to reduce petrol consumption by completing most journeys using electric power.

We've compared two popular Ford models — the Ford Kuga Plug-In Hybrid and Ford Ranger Plug-In Hybrid — with their diesel alternatives to look at the potential difference in fuel costs.

Important: PHEV fuel economy figures are based on WLTP testing and should not be treated as guaranteed real-world fuel costs. Your actual costs will depend on how often you charge, journey length, driving style, weather, payload and other factors.

Ford Kuga PHEV vs Ford Kuga Diesel

The Ford Kuga is a popular family SUV, combining practicality, comfort, technology and flexible powertrain options.

For drivers who regularly make shorter journeys and can charge at home, the Ford Kuga Plug-In Hybrid could be particularly interesting.

The previous-generation Ford Kuga PHEV has a quoted WLTP combined fuel economy figure of up to 201.8 mpg, with an electric-only range of around 35 miles under the relevant WLTP testing conditions.

For comparison, a Kuga diesel can return around 54 mpg WLTP, depending on engine and specification.

But what does that mean when you look at the potential fuel cost over 10,000 miles?

Ford Kuga PHEV vs Diesel: 10,000-Mile Fuel Cost Comparison

Using approximate UK fuel prices of:

• Petrol: £1.74 per litre
• Diesel: £1.99 per litre

A Kuga diesel returning approximately 54.3 mpg would use around 837 litres of diesel over 10,000 miles.

That equates to approximately:

£1,668 in diesel

Using the Kuga PHEV's quoted 201.8 mpg WLTP figure as a simple fuel-equivalent comparison, 10,000 miles represents approximately 225 litres of petrol.

At £1.74 per litre, that's approximately:

£392 in petrol

That's a headline difference of approximately:

£1,276 per 10,000 miles

However, there is an important point to understand when comparing PHEV vs diesel fuel economy.

The 201.8 mpg figure is a WLTP weighted figure that incorporates electric driving. You should not expect to achieve 201.8 mpg if you never charge the vehicle.

The Kuga PHEV is designed to make use of its electric range for shorter journeys, with the petrol engine providing additional range when required.

The more frequently you charge, the greater the opportunity to reduce petrol consumption.

If your daily routine consists of journeys such as:

• A 10–20 mile commute
• The school run
• Local shopping
• Short trips around town
• Regular journeys within your local area

then a Kuga PHEV could allow you to complete many of those journeys using electric power rather than petrol.

How Much Does It Cost to Charge a Ford Kuga PHEV at Home?

Fuel economy isn't the only consideration when looking at the running costs of a Ford Kuga PHEV.

If you can charge your vehicle at home, electricity becomes part of the equation.

Using an example home electricity cost of 8p per kWh, charging a plug-in hybrid can provide a very different cost-per-mile compared with buying petrol.

For drivers who charge overnight and regularly use the vehicle's electric range, this can help reduce the amount of petrol they need to purchase.

The exact charging cost will depend on the battery size, charging efficiency and how much energy is required to recharge the vehicle.

Ford Ranger PHEV vs Ford Ranger Diesel

Think plug-in hybrids are only suitable for family SUVs?

The Ford Ranger Plug-In Hybrid offers another option for drivers who need the capability of a pickup but also want the ability to drive using electric power.

The Ranger PHEV combines a 2.3-litre EcoBoost petrol engine with a 75kW electric motor and offers up to approximately 27 miles of electric driving range under Ford's stated WLTP testing conditions.

It also retains the capability expected from a Ford Ranger, including towing and off-road ability.

For tradespeople and business users, the Ranger PHEV also features Pro Power Onboard, allowing the vehicle to provide electrical power for compatible tools and equipment.

Ford Ranger Diesel vs Ranger PHEV: Running Cost Comparison

Let's compare a typical 2026 Ford Ranger Double Cab diesel with a 2026 Ford Ranger Plug-In Hybrid.

A 2.0-litre EcoBlue Ranger diesel can achieve around 33.6 mpg WLTP, depending on specification.

Ford's Ranger PHEV technical data quotes a combined figure of approximately 94 mpg under the applicable WLTP test.

Using 10,000 miles as our example:

Ford Ranger Diesel

At approximately 33.6 mpg:

10,000 miles = approximately 1,353 litres of diesel

At £1.99 per litre:

Approximately £2,695 in diesel

Ford Ranger Plug-In Hybrid

At approximately 94 mpg:

10,000 miles = approximately 483 litres of petrol

At £1.74 per litre:

Approximately £841 in petrol

That gives a headline difference of approximately:

£1,854 per 10,000 miles

Again, this is a WLTP fuel-equivalent comparison rather than a guaranteed real-world saving.

The Ranger PHEV's official figure benefits from electric driving. Your actual running costs will depend on how frequently you charge the vehicle and how much of your driving is completed using electric power.

Payload, towing, driving style, temperature and journey length can also have a significant impact on real-world fuel consumption.

What About Towing With a Ford Ranger PHEV?

For many Ranger owners, towing capability is essential.

Choosing a plug-in hybrid doesn't mean automatically giving up the capability expected from a Ford Ranger.

The Ford Ranger PHEV is designed to combine electrified driving with the practicality and capability of a pickup.

For someone who uses their Ranger during the week for local jobs, travelling between sites and carrying tools, being able to use electric power for shorter journeys could potentially reduce petrol consumption.

For longer journeys, towing and heavier loads, the petrol engine provides additional power and range.

Who Could Benefit From a Ford Plug-In Hybrid?

There isn't one powertrain that suits every driver.

The best option depends on how you actually use your vehicle.

A Ford PHEV could be worth considering if you:

Make lots of shorter journeys

If many of your journeys fall within the vehicle's electric range, you have more opportunity to use electric power rather than petrol.

Can charge at home

Home charging allows you to recharge regularly and make greater use of the vehicle's electric capability.

Have a predictable daily commute

A regular commute that fits within the vehicle's electric range could make a PHEV particularly useful.

Use a Ranger for local work

The Ranger PHEV's electric capability could be useful for shorter journeys between jobs, while retaining the flexibility needed from a pickup.

Also make longer journeys

One of the attractions of a PHEV is the ability to use electric power for shorter trips while retaining a petrol engine for longer journeys.

What If You Drive Mainly on Motorways?

This is an important consideration.

If most of your annual mileage consists of long motorway journeys, you may use the petrol engine more frequently and therefore see a smaller benefit from choosing a PHEV.

Likewise, frequent towing, carrying heavy loads or driving in particularly demanding conditions can increase fuel consumption.

That's why it's important to look beyond the headline WLTP mpg figure and consider how the vehicle fits into your actual lifestyle.

Plug-In Hybrid vs Diesel: Which Is Right for Your Driving?

The biggest question isn't necessarily which vehicle has the highest advertised mpg figure.

It's:

Which powertrain best matches the way you drive?

A diesel may continue to make sense for drivers covering large distances, particularly where much of that mileage is longer-distance driving.

A plug-in hybrid can offer the ability to use electric power for shorter journeys while retaining an internal combustion engine for longer trips.

For the right driving pattern, that flexibility could help reduce petrol consumption and change the overall cost of running the vehicle.

How Much Could You Save With a Ford PHEV?

Our example calculations show a potential difference of approximately:

Vehicle	10,000-mile fuel-equivalent cost	Example difference
Ford Kuga Diesel	£1,668	—
Ford Kuga PHEV	£392*	£1,276
Ford Ranger Diesel	£2,695	—
Ford Ranger PHEV	£841*	£1,854

*Based on the applicable WLTP figures and petrol/diesel prices used in this example. These figures do not include the cost of electricity used for charging and should not be interpreted as guaranteed real-world savings.

Your actual running costs could be higher or lower depending on your driving habits and how frequently you charge.

Is It Time to Consider a Ford Plug-In Hybrid?

With fuel prices remaining an important consideration for UK motorists, it makes sense to look at the total cost of ownership when choosing your next vehicle.

The Ford Kuga PHEV provides the practicality of a family SUV with the ability to drive using electric power for shorter journeys.

The Ford Ranger PHEV offers a similar concept for pickup users, combining plug-in hybrid technology with the practicality, towing capability and versatility expected from a Ranger.

For drivers whose daily routine suits a PHEV, the combination of electric driving for shorter journeys and petrol power for longer trips could provide an alternative to a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle.

Don't Just Look at the Purchase Price — Look at the Running Costs

When choosing your next vehicle, it's easy to concentrate on the purchase price, monthly finance payment or part-exchange value.

But what about the cost of running it?

Over thousands of miles, fuel and charging costs can make a significant difference to the overall cost of ownership.

At Perkins Garages, we can help you compare petrol, diesel, hybrid and plug-in hybrid Ford vehicles based on how you actually use your vehicle.

Whether you're looking for a Ford Kuga PHEV, Ford Ranger PHEV, Ford hybrid or another Ford model, speak to our team and find out which options could suit your driving requirements.

Interested in a Ford Plug-In Hybrid?

Call Perkins Garages today on 01376 550899 to discuss your requirements, arrange a test drive or have your current vehicle valued for part exchange.

Could your next vehicle be a Ford Plug-In Hybrid?

Fuel Price & WLTP Disclaimer

Fuel prices and electricity prices change regularly. The figures used in this article are illustrative calculations based on approximate UK prices and published WLTP figures available in September 2026.

WLTP figures are laboratory test results designed to allow vehicles to be compared under standardised conditions. They do not represent guaranteed real-world fuel economy.

Actual fuel economy and PHEV running costs will vary depending on driving style, journey length, temperature, payload, towing, road conditions, charging habits and other factors.

The PHEV calculations above are fuel-equivalent illustrations based on the stated WLTP figures and do not include electricity costs for charging. Real-world savings may therefore be significantly different.