By Ellfian Rahim
Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid.
The automotive sector has seen immense shifts in the past few years. Although electrics have been dominating the market, the time could be ripe for a huge comeback for the hybrid.
The proof is in the pudding. Despite huge leaps in automotive technology over the years – everything from cars that park themselves to ones that drive autonomously – the tail end of 2025 still sees a majority of drivers out there filling up at the pumps. And in many cases, navigating the same old traffic jams.
On the automotive manufacturing side of things, several big-name marquees who just a few years ago were excitedly counting down to a fully electric catalogue of cars have certainly had a massive rethink about things…
A quieter automotive revolution now seems to be unfolding instead. Across the globe, automakers are carefully rethinking going full EV with their product range.
Slowing The Charge
JUICE/Unsplash
Now, it certainly looks like many brands want to achieve the electric dream not just through battery electric vehicles (BEVs) alone, but also with hybrids (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). Just recently in October, the Italian supercar-maker Lamborghini’s chief executive Stephan Winkelmann said enthusiasm for electric cars was declining, creating an opportunity to focus on hybrid power instead.
Thus, Lamborghini will now only decide in the next few months whether a long-planned new model, the Lanzador, will be all-electric, or merely a plug-in hybrid, like its in-production Temerario and Revuelto supercars.
Lamborghini Temerario PHEV
Both the latter models are plug-in hybrids, combining powerful petrol engines with electric motors, which means they can still run in all-electric mode, but only for very short distances.
All these about turns can certainly be attributed to the fact that car shoppers globally are balking at the high prices of fully electric models and the challenges associated with charging them. As a result, in the last few years, sales of electric vehicles have grown at a much slower rate than automakers once expected.
And now, hybrids have stepped back into the limelight to fill the gap – based on the type’s large and growing share of new car sales.
Shifting Preferences
According to the Deloitte 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study, thousands of respondents across six Southeast Asian countries including Malaysia showed that 31% of consumers chose hybrid cars as their preferred vehicle. Only 12% opted for BEVs, while petrol- and diesel-powered cars remained the top choice, with 41% of respondents selecting them as their primary option.
The report also stated that consumer interest in hybrids is rising in Southeast Asian markets as drivers look for a ‘best of both worlds’ solution, one which lowers fuel costs and emission levels without relying entirely on hit-and-miss charging infrastructure.
The data is even more impressive in Europe. Hybrids are the most popular type of new vehicle in that market now, accounting for 35% of the market. Together with PHEVs, they have eclipsed the sales of solely petrol- or diesel-engine vehicles.
And then, there’s also China. In spite of its significant EV leadership, hybrid car sales are picking up as buyers outside major cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong face some of the same charging challenges as anyone else across the globe.
Filling The Void
Oxana Melis/Unsplash
But perhaps the biggest star of electrification in the automotive industry right now is the PHEV. Offering the benefits of both electric and petrol power, PHEVs are meeting a unique set of consumer needs – especially in regions like ours where charging infrastructure is still developing and range anxiety remains a big concern.
Globally, PHEV sales hit over two million units in the first four months of 2025, a 29% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Car buyers appreciate the fact that PHEVs fit seamlessly into their current lifestyle, requiring little to no adjustment whatsoever.
Picture this: during the week, one can be cruising to work on pure electric power, spending next to nothing on petrol. And when making an impromptu road trip, there’s absolutely no need to plot routes around charging stations anymore. Tank running low? A fill-up takes just a few minutes instead of a minimum of 45 minutes for EVs, and you’re back on the road.
THLT LCX/Unsplash
It certainly seems that PHEVs are providing a bridge between internal combustion and fully electric mobility, satisfying both practical needs and, in many cases, regulatory demands. But as BEV infrastructure expands and battery costs decline, we may eventually see PHEVs become a popular transitional technology.
For now, though, the PHEV boom of 2025 highlights how market realities and consumer behaviour can align to revive and sustain interest in good old hybrid power.
