Buying a New Car: Choosing Between Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid or Electric in 2026
If you're buying a new car, one of the biggest decisions you'll face is choosing between a petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric vehicle. The right option depends on many factors.
If you mainly drive short trips around town, a petrol or hybrid car may suit you best. If it is normal for you to travel far or spend a lot of time on the motorway, diesel or hybrid may be worth considering. If you have the ability to charge at home and maintain a predictable daily travel distance, an electric car could be a practical option.
Should I buy a petrol, diesel, electric or hybrid car in Ireland?
Traditionally, the most popular car people would buy in Ireland tended to be a petrol or diesel car. However, this has changed significantly due to the increase of hybrid and electric vehicles a number of years ago. The Society of Irish Motor Industry (SECI) released car registrations up to May 2026 showing Hybrid (Petrol electric) the most popular car choice on 26% market share with Electric Vehicles in second on 22%, then Petrol on 21%, Plug-in Hybrid on 14% and Diesel on 12%. One of the most common questions from car buyers is: "Should I buy a petrol, diesel or electric car?". The answer largely comes down to how you use your car.
When making a choice, it is important to consider factors such as your typical journey length, annual mileage, access to charging facilities, running costs and budget for buying a car.
Petrol cars: best for lower mileage drivers
Petrol cars are often best for drivers who cover urban driving with lower mileage and those who take shorter journeys and want a familiar, widely available option.
Petrol cars are often a great choice if you:
- Mostly drive around a town and city
- Generally take shorter trips
- Drive fewer kilometres each year
- Want a lower initial cost
Modern petrol engines are efficient, reliable and widely available. For many people, especially those using their car to travel, do school runs or weekend trips, a petrol vehicle can provide excellent value.
Diesel cars: best for higher mileage drivers
Diesel cars can still make sense for drivers who cover a large distance often.Diesel vehicles are often better suited to drivers who:
- Drive long distances
- Cover high annual mileage
Diesel engines generally deliver strong fuel efficiency over a greater distance, which can help reduce fuel costs over time. If you are looking for more ways to save money on fuel, check out our full list of tips to save money on fuel.
Should I buy a petrol or hybrid car?
Another question many buyers ask is: "Should I buy a petrol or hybrid car?". A hybrid car in a car with 2 or more power sources, most hybrid cars work by having an electric motor as another power source typically a petrol engine. The electric motor gives support to the petrol engine, particularly when driving at a lower speed. This can provide better fuel efficiency making them generally cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars. Most hybrid cars recharge their batteries automatically while driving, so there is no need to plug them in.
Generally, hybrid cars can offer a balance of being fuel efficient and useful for drivers who split their time between urban and motorway driving.
Why consider a hybrid car?
Hybrid cars can suit drivers who want better fuel efficiency in everyday traffic without needing to plug in. A hybrid could be a good option if you:
- Drive mostly in urban areas
- Spend time in traffic
- Want greater fuel economy
- Are interested in electric driving without relying on infrastructure to charge
Many drivers appreciate that a hybrid offers a familiar driving experience while helping reduce trips to the fuel station.
Why buy an electric car?
Interest in electric vehicles continues to grow across Ireland in 2026. There are many benefits of an electric car in Ireland. Electric cars can be a strong choice for drivers who can charge at home, have regular driving patterns and want lower everyday energy costs.
Electric vehicles offer many advantages:
- No petrol or diesel required
- Lower energy costs when charging at home
- Quiet and smooth driving experience
- Low emissions
For drivers with access to home charging and predictable daily travel, an electric car can be a practical choice.
Final consideration: what is your budget?
Remember to look beyond the initial price. Consider:
- Fuel or charging costs
- Insurance
- Motor tax
- Servicing
- Potential resale value
If you're still deciding how much to spend, our guide on new versus used cars can help.
Which type of car is right for you?
When making the decision between petrol, diesel, hybrid and electric, ask yourself:
| If you | You may want to consider |
|---|---|
| Drive mostly short city journeys | Petrol or hybrid |
| Drive long motorway journeys often | Diesel or hybrid |
| Have home charging and predictable daily routes | Electric |
| Want a cheaper purchase | Petrol |
| Want better fuel efficiency in traffic | Electric or hybrid |
How to finance your new car
Once you know what type of car may suit you best, it is worth thinking about how you plan to pay for it.
Many people choose to spread the cost of a car with a personal loan instead of paying the full amount right away. With an Avant Money Car Loan, you can borrow from €5,000 to €75,000 and choose a repayment term that works for your budget.
Whether you are looking at a petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric car, a car loan can help you plan your repayments before you buy. Avant Money also offers competitive fixed rates, including Ireland’s best fixed rate on car loans over €30,000.*
Before applying, it can help to compare the total cost of the car, including fuel or charging costs, insurance and tax. This gives you a clearer idea of what you can afford each month.
* Rates and loan terms are correct as of 31st July 2026 and are subject to change (Source: CCPC.ie, excluding green loans). Maximum APR (Annual Percentage Rate) is 19.9%. Minimum loan term is 12 months and maximum term is 120 months, loan terms vary depending on the purpose of the loan, terms greater than 84 months up to a maximum of 120 months are only available for refinance and home improvement loans of €20,000 to €75,000. Avant Money loans are only available to customers over the age of 18 and resident of Republic of Ireland. Lending Criteria, Terms and Conditions apply.
Representative example: On a €30,000 loan over 5 years, at a fixed rate of 5.9% (6.1% APR) you will pay €578.59 a month. The total cost of credit would be €4,715.41 and the total amount repayable would be €34,715.41.
Warning: If you do not meet the repayments on your loan, your account will go into arrears. This may affect your credit report, which may limit your ability to access credit, a hire-purchase agreement, a consumer-hire agreement or a BNPL agreement in the future.
Bankinter S.A., trading as Avant Money, is authorised by the Banco de España in Spain and is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland for consumer protection rules.