Many drivers have been watching the cost of filling up, and as a result, running their cars increase steadily in 2026 as oil prices have climbed, sending petrol and diesel prices in the UK soaring.

It is perhaps therefore little surprise that many people have sought out alternatives to help lessen the financial pain of having a petrol or diesel vehicle. 

While electric vehicle (EV) registrations were up by 36.3 per cent in September this year compared to the same month in 2025, it was plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that made the greatest gains.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that registrations of PHEVs were up by 55.5 per cent in September 2026, compared to a year earlier. 

What’s more, drivers now have over 110 PHEV models to choose from when purchasing a new vehicle, while there are 178 traditional EV models available for drivers. 

According to the SMMT, the increase in choice for both EV and PHEV models, coupled with the rising prices of filling up at the pumps, has encouraged more drivers to make the switch to electric or partially electric vehicles. 

Meanwhile, the Ford Puma, a hybrid SUV, is topping the list of the model with the most registrations in the UK so far this year, further highlighting the growing demand for this kind of vehicle.

 

How is PHEV different from a traditional EV?

The main difference between a PHEV and an EV is that a PHEV still contains a combustion engine alongside a battery. 

This means you can charge a PHEV at EV charging points, but also that you can extend the car’s range by using a traditional fuel like petrol or diesel, depending on the model you’re driving.

PHEVs also differ from standard hybrid vehicles in that they can be plugged in to charge, whereas a traditional hybrid vehicle has a small battery that self-charges as you drive, giving you a very small range of electric-only power while predominantly being fuelled by petrol or diesel.

The other potential difference between PHEVs and traditional EVs is the type of battery they use. 

EVs, as you are likely aware, tend to be fitted with lithium-ion batteries. PHEVs, by contrast, can have lithium-ion batteries but can also have nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) batteries. NiMH batteries were considered a step up from the nickel-cadmium batteries used previously.

 

What are the pros and cons of lithium-ion and NiMH batteries?

However, as lithium-ion technology has developed, an increasing number of PHEVs are being manufactured with this kind of battery, rather than an NiMH.

This means you’re more likely to find a PHEV with an NiMH battery if you’re buying second hand, as many new PHEVs now come with lithium-ion batteries. 

There are several reasons why lithium-ion batteries are preferable:

  • Greater number of charge-discharge cycles than an NiMH battery
  • Higher energy density, allowing them to store more energy while being smaller in size
  • Higher voltage per cell compared to NiMH batteries
  • Low self-discharge rate. This means they don’t lose much charge when not in use

 

All of that said, there are also some reasons why NiMH batteries may still have a role to play in PHEVs, particularly if their popularity is rising and there is a shortage of the key elements required to manufacture new lithium-ion batteries. 

Among the advantages NiMH batteries offer are:

  • Lower upfront costs, making them a more affordable option
  • Less likely to combust under thermal stress
  • Easier to recycle than their lithium-ion counterparts

 

One of the key elements required to manufacture NiMH batteries is lanthanum titanate, a material that’s now also being explored for use in lithium-ion batteries. 

 

How can lanthanum titanate be used in lithium-ion batteries?

Research has highlighted lithium lanthanum titanates as “a promising class of perovskite ionic conductors”. In particular, researchers are exploring whether lithium lanthanum titanate could be suitable for us as a solid electrolyte in lithium-ion batteries. 

However, this is not the only use for the material. Due to its ability to withstand heat while also having high electronic conductivity, lithium lanthanum titanate could prove to be useful for battery anodes or battery cathodes. 

Lithium lanthanum titanate can also be used to help extract lithium from batteries that have reached the end of their life, making it valuable from the perspective of recycling old EVs and creating a more circular approach to material use in our vehicles. 

There are also other use cases for lithium lanthanum titanate in the world of EVs, so if you are seeking a lanthanum titanate supplier for your business, contact us to find out how our contract processing services can be of use.