A driving expert has about getting behind the wheel of a certain type of model, warning they are often inefficient.

Sales of new cars grew slightly during 2024, with more than 1.95 million , , and leaving dealership forecourts over the 12-month period.

However, Alex Ingram, Chief Reviewer at the motoring publication , recommended that drivers give new plug-in hybrid models (sometimes known as PHEVs) a miss.

He warned: "These figures expose the inherent flaws in PHEVs when they aren't charged consistently. Their quickly deteriorates, leaving consumers with , heavy vehicles that fail to justify their higher upfront costs.

"The environmental promise of PHEVs hinges on consistent charging, but the data shows that many drivers aren't charging as often as they should."

Traditionally, plug-in hybrid cars are seen as the best of both worlds, giving drivers the ability to choose between fully-electric, petrol, or a mixture of the two.

Whilst the concept is designed to offer motorists better fuel economy and lower emissions, the expert noted that some drivers forget to plug in the battery pack, meaning they could result in heavier consumption than a standard petrol model.

In addition, some motorists who fail to charge the battery regularly have reported a number of faults, including a worsened range that makes them less practical.

In a bid to make sure that a plug-in hybrid is regularly used on its electric powertrain only, which can also help drivers lower their running costs.

He advised: "The trick to maximising a PHEV's performance is to look after that EV range and avoid the petrol engine having to cut-in at all costs.

"Think about preserving momentum, i.e. not wasting energy by braking too often, and ensure you turn off any electrical systems you don't need and remove any unnecessary weight."