Hybrid v Electric: what you need to know in 2025

You don’t have to be an automotive expert to know that the future of the automotive industry at large is going to be heavily reliant on battery-electric power – “electrification” is the new buzz word in town. But while car manufactures look to transition to this exciting new electric future, there are still a few key factors to consider when entertaining the EV conversation.

The biggest debate in the car industry right now is the hybrid v electric discussion: which to consider in 2024? Is one option better than the other? For the uninitiated, sales of hybrid cars, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles, remain the obvious choice for consumers in Australia, with new sale records reached in 2023. Data published by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) reported that 98,439 hybrid and 11,212 plug-in hybrid were sold in Australia in 2023, up 88.8 per cent from the previous year. Sales of fully-electric vehicles, on the other hand, also saw massive growth, with a total of 87,217 vehicles sold in 2023. Out of the three main types of ‘electrified’ vehicles in Australia—hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric—plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles were the least popular.

According to Jeff Mannering, Audi Australia CEO, it’s one of the most exciting times to be a part of the automotive industry.

“Australia is undoubtedly in the midst of a significant transition towards electric mobility. Whilst the journey to a fully electric industry is ongoing and advancing at a rapid rate, we’re lucky to be in a unique situation whereby we are seeing technological advancements in both hybrid and fully electric platforms,” explains Mannering.

“At Audi, we see this transition as a multifaceted evolution, with both hybrid and electric vehicles playing pivotal roles in shaping the future of sustainable transportation.”

In the luxury sector, Audi is making waves with its offerings, seeing the demand for its electric models hit an all-time high in 2023, delivering more than 178,000 fully electric vehicles to customers globally, with particularly strong demand for the Q4 e-tron, Audi’s compact electric SUV offering.

So, with all the buzz around electric vehicles, are consumer’s ready to take the plunge into the world of electrification? Mannering seems to think so, but a number of considerations still need to be factored in.

“Consumer readiness varies based on numerous factors, just a few of those being accessibility, infrastructure, and individual preferences. However, if sales figures and sentiment are anything to go off, we’ve seen a growing interest in, and uptake of, both hybrid and electric vehicles,” says Mannering.

“This increased demand results in the introduction of a number of new models and choice for Australian consumers, with more and more electric vehicles arriving on each incoming ship. It’s crucial to acknowledge that consumers are increasingly considering these options as viable alternatives, especially with the expanding availability of charging infrastructure and the advancement of battery technology.”

If you’re entertaining a new vehicle and want to make it electric, here’s some things you might want to know beforehand…

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What is an electric vehicle?

An electric vehicle—or ‘EV’— is powered by electricity and uses one (or more) electric motors powered by a battery pack to accelerate and drive, as opposed to traditional fossil fuels like petrol or diesel. Depending on the type of EV, the electric motor(s) either assist a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) or power the car completely.

What are the different types of electric vehicles?

In the grand conversation of electrified vehicles, there’s three main types to consider: battery electric vehicles (BEV), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV).

Are hybrids better than electric?

It depends on your individual needs, and as Mannering mentioned, on various factors such as accessibility, infrastructure, and individual preferences. While both hybrid and electric vehicles respectively present as great alternatives to your traditional combustion engine, factors need to be assessed, including driving habits, distance and range, access to charging infrastructure, and budget constraints. However, considering that 110,000 new car sales in Australia in 2023 were hybrid or plug-in hybrid—compared to 87,000 electric vehicles—it’s obvious hybrid vehicles present as a viable solution for those seeking to steer away from traditional cars, but might not be ready to plunge fully into the electric world.

“Hybrids offer a transitional solution for those who may not yet have access to extensive charging infrastructure or require longer driving ranges,” adds Mannering.

What is the downside of a hybrid car?

As we’ve made clear by now, hybrid cars offer several advantages, such as improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions compared to traditional petrol-powered vehicles. However, there are some trade offs, like:

Cost: currently, hybrid models are associated with more complex systems across controls and batteries. While they incorporate both an internal combustion engine and electric motor, such complexity can often result in higher manufacturing costs (and potentially maintenance costs, too).
Not fully electric: As most hybrid vehicles typically have a limited range of electric-only propulsion before the combustion engine kicks in, the environmental benefits of using electric power and somewhat limited, both short-term and long-term.
Charging Infrastructure: As hybrid cars do not require charging from an external power source—unlike plug-in hybrid vehicles or fully electric vehicles—owners won’t be able to take advantage of the growing infrastructure of charging stations around the country.

Should I choose electric or hybrid car?

Again, it depends on your particular needs and circumstances. Currently, hybrid vehicles offer improved fuel efficiency without the range limitations of electric vehicles—you won’t need to rely on finding or planning for a recharge station on your next trip—but electric vehicles will, sooner or later, be the most prominent form of automotive transportation.

“On the other hand, electric vehicles represent the pinnacle of sustainable mobility and a high level of uncompromised performance, offering zero-emission driving with advanced battery technology and an ever-expanding charging network,” concludes Mannering.

Is charging an electric vehicle easy?

Easy enough! In fact, EV charging can be as easy as plugging in your phone to charge. However, you need to ensure there is a suitable charging station available. While a lot of car manufactures will offer you a charging station to install at home with your purchase, such as Tesla and Polestar, in recent years, there has been wide concern over the scarcity of electric charging infrastructure in Australia.

Typically, you will find electric charging stations at different public locations, like supermarkets, public carparks, highway service centres, and some accommodation venues. However, with the growing number of EV sales in Australia alone, the system needs stronger charging infrastructure that is robust and reliable—and readily available— and this will come down to a number of industry stakeholders and government bodies coming together to supply the demand.

From Scotch whisky and luxury retreats to fashion collaborations and world-class hospitality, Ross Blainey has spent years shaping high-end experiences around one idea: modern luxury is no longer just about what you own.

It is about access, connection and moments money alone cannot buy.

As Citizen Kanebridge continues to grow as one of Australia’s most sought-after private members’ clubs, Blainey, the club’s new Head of Membership, says the future lies in creating experiences members cannot find anywhere else.

“The ultimate memorable experiences are the money can’t buy moments,” Blainey said.

“The things that you can’t just put together anytime or any place. They make up something that is greater than the sum of its parts.”

On June 4, Blainey will bring that philosophy to life when he hosts an exclusive whisky evening for Citizen Kanebridge members at Sydney’s Royal Automobile Club of Australia.

Titled A Journey Through Whisky, the intimate event will see Blainey guide members through a curated selection of rare and unreleased whiskies drawn from his personal archive, alongside stories gathered across years working at the highest levels of the Scotch whisky world.

The evening will also include reflections on Blainey’s induction as a Keeper of the Quaich at Blair Castle in Scotland last year, one of the whisky industry’s rarest global honours.

A career built around experience

Before joining Citizen Kanebridge, Blainey built a career spanning luxury hospitality, Scotch whisky, premium lifestyle brands and experiential events.

But he says one industry above all others shaped the way he thinks about people and community: Scotch whisky.

“At its core, at its heart and throughout its whole history, Scotch has been about sharing, enjoyment, telling stories, meeting people and generally having a good time,” he said.

“Whisky can be that shared moment of laughter, and it can also be a shared moment of just slowing down, taking stock and contemplating. These are so key to building community.”

Blainey’s deep involvement in the whisky world culminated in 2025 when he was inducted as a Keeper of the Quaich at Blair Castle, a recognition is reserved for a select group of individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to Scotch whisky internationally.

“I was inducted last year, 2025, an incredible honour,” he said.

“There were a couple of teary-eyed moments as I stood in Blair Castle, on historic ground, realising that this was a moment I would remember forever.”

The next chapter for Citizen Kanebridge

Looking ahead, Blainey says Citizen Kanebridge will continue to focus on highly curated experiences, exclusive access, and bringing together like-minded members from Australia’s property, finance, and investment sectors.

“Our baseline of Car of the Year is already one of the most impressive events on the social calendar of Australia,” he said.

“My job is to find a way of raising the bar, taking things to the absolute top level for access, experiences and events.”

Blainey said the long-term goal was not simply to create another networking group or luxury club, but to build a community centred around meaningful relationships and unforgettable experiences.

“We provide the access, the money can’t buy memories, and we will be making those happen regularly,” he said.

“If we start with how amazing Car of the Year is and the only way is up, we are going to have some mind-blowing moments for our members.”

Hospitality at its absolute best

Another major influence on Blainey’s thinking came through his connection with world-famous New York restaurant Eleven Madison Park, once named the best restaurant in the world.

He says two concepts from the restaurant’s owners still shape the way he approaches luxury experiences today: “enlightened hospitality” and “unreasonable hospitality”.

“Enlightened hospitality is a way of doing business that looks at not just the product of what you serve, but how it makes people feel,” Blainey said.

“Unreasonable hospitality is more about striving for the absolute best all the time. If you’re going to do something, do it to an unreasonable level that blows everything else out of the water.”

It is a philosophy, he says, which aligns closely with where Citizen Kanebridge is heading next.

“That’s what we’re doing here with CK, taking members’ experiences to another level,” he said.

Fashion, whisky and creative collaborations

Blainey’s career has also included working with Glenfiddich as a Creative Collaborations Lead, where his role centred on bringing luxury experiences and partnerships to life through designers, chefs, artists and bartenders.

Among the projects were runway collaborations with leading Australian fashion designers, with pieces from the partnerships now housed inside Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum.

“My job was to find a creative way of bringing the brand to life,” he said.

“How do we make something that none of us could make on our own? Searching for the things that will resonate with people.”

What luxury consumers want now

Beyond whisky and events, Blainey also played a key role in building Blackbird Byron, the boutique Byron Bay hinterland retreat later recognised in Tatler’s Top 101 Hotels list.

The property, known for its dramatic views, minimalist architecture, and secluded atmosphere, helped shape his understanding of how luxury consumers are changing.

“I think I learned that people looking for luxury in hotels want memorable moments, considered design and the ability to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life,” he said.

“To feel at home without being at home is important.”

More broadly, he believes today’s luxury consumers are increasingly driven by authenticity and emotional connection.

“For luxury consumers overall, I think it comes down to craft, story and connection,” he said.

“The product itself has to be impeccable, the story behind it builds your reason for looking at it, and then you need to make a genuine connection with people.”

Interested in becoming a member of Citizen Kanebridge? You can contact Ross here.