Mild Hybrids
A mild hybrid electric vehicle or mHEV can help reduce fuel consumption1 without changing how you drive. Combining a turbocharged petrol engine with a compact 48-volt electric motor and a lithium-ion battery, mHEV technology works quietly in the background to make every journey more efficient. During braking and deceleration, the system captures energy that would otherwise be lost and stores it in the battery. That recovered energy is then reused to support the engine during acceleration and cruising, reducing the load on the petrol engine and cutting fuel use in everyday driving.
Unlike a plug-in hybrid, you never need to charge a mild hybrid car; it charges itself as you drive. If you’re looking for a vehicle designed to improve efficiency and reduce fuel consumption1 compared to a conventional petrol vehicle that fits seamlessly into your existing lifestyle, a mild hybrid could be exactly the right choice.
mHEV vs PHEV: What’s the Difference?
Mild hybrids and plug-in hybrids are both electrified powertrains, but they work very differently, and the right choice depends largely on your lifestyle and driving habits.
mHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A mild hybrid vehicle pairs a conventional petrol engine with a 48-volt electric motor and a small lithium-ion battery. The electric motor assists the engine rather than driving the wheels independently, which is where the ‘mild’ descriptor comes from. The key advantage is simplicity: the system charges itself through regenerative braking and requires no charging. There’s no plug, no charging routine, and no range anxiety. You simply refuel as normal, and the technology works behind the scenes to save fuel, typically delivering efficiency improvements of up to around 10–20% in certain driving conditions1 compared with a conventional petrol-only engine.
PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) uses a larger battery and a more powerful electric motor capable of driving the car independently on electric power alone. Depending on the model, a PHEV can travel approximately 50–125 km2 in pure-electric mode, ample for most daily commutes. The trade-off is that PHEVs require regular plug-in charging to take full advantage of that electric range. This means adapting your daily routine to include a charging schedule, whether at home, at work, or via public charging infrastructure.
In short: if you want fuel savings with minimal change to your routine and without the need to plug in or manage charging - mHEV cars are the more convenient choice. If your driving patterns favour short urban trips and you’re ready to build a charging habit into your routine, a PHEV can deliver even greater efficiency gains over time when regularly charged.
mHEV SUV
Mild hybrid SUVs use a small electric motor to support the petrol engine, improving efficiency and delivering smoother acceleration. The system assists during take-off and stop-start driving, helping reduce fuel consumption while maintaining the space, ride height, and versatility expected from an SUV.
Škoda Kodiaq Select mHEV
The Škoda Kodiaq Select Hybrid (mHEV) brings mild-hybrid efficiency to one of Australia’s most versatile large SUVs. Powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, it produces 110 kW and 250 Nm with a combined fuel consumption of just 6.0 L/100 km2, an improvement over the previous petrol-only Select.
Available in both five- and seven-seat configurations, the Kodiaq Hybrid makes it easier than ever to seat the whole family without the increased fuel bill you might expect. With a five-star ANCAP safety rating, a 13-inch infotainment system, tri-zone climate control, and Škoda’s signature seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty3, the Kodiaq Select Hybrid starts from $49,990 drive-away4.
mHEV Sedan
Mild hybrid sedans use a small electric motor to support the petrol engine, improving fuel efficiency and delivering smoother acceleration in everyday driving. The system assists during stop-start traffic and low-speed conditions, making them well-suited to urban environments while retaining the refinement, comfort, and practicality sedans are known for.
Škoda Octavia Select mHEV
The Škoda Octavia Select Hybrid (mHEV) is one of the most affordable European mild hybrids available, priced from $43,990 driveaway4. Underpinned by the same 1.5-litre turbocharged mild-hybrid powertrain producing 110 kW and 250 Nm, the Octavia Hybrid delivers a combined fuel consumption of just 5.1 L/100 km2, around 1.0/ 100 km lower than the previous petrol-only model.
It carries all the hallmarks of a refined European sedan: a 13-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ connectivity5, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, and a power tailgate as standard. The Octavia Hybrid strikes a compelling balance of efficiency, technology, and everyday practicality.
mHEV Wagon
Mild hybrid wagons offer enhanced efficiency with the practicality of a long, low body style. The electric motor supports the engine during acceleration and helps optimise fuel use in everyday driving, while still providing generous boot space and a more car-like driving experience.
Škoda Octavia Wagon Select mHEV
For those who need the versatility of a wagon without sacrificing efficiency, the Škoda Octavia Wagon Select mHEV is an outstanding choice. Sharing the same 1.5-litre mild-hybrid powertrain and 110 kW/250 Nm outputs as the sedan, the wagon returns a combined fuel consumption of 5.2 L/100 km2, impressively low for a vehicle that offers up to 1,700 litres of boot space with the rear seats folded.
Priced from $45,990 driveaway4, it delivers the space Australian families demand and the fuel efficiency they increasingly expect, wrapped in Škoda’s clean European design.
Electric Car Technology
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Mild hybrids are just one part of Škoda’s wider commitment to electrified motoring. For drivers ready to go fully electric, Škoda’s growing BEV lineup - including the Enyaq and Elroq - delivers zero-tailpipe-emission driving without a drop of petrol. With competitive range, fast-charging capability, and all the technology and space Škoda is renowned for, electric vehicles represent the next step for Australian drivers ready to make the switch.
Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEVs)
If you’d like more electric driving capability than an mHEV offers but aren’t quite ready for a full EV, a PHEV could be the ideal middle ground. Škoda’s plug-in hybrid range now includes the Kodiaq Select Plug-in Hybrid and Superb Plug-in Hybrid, both capable of covering typical daily commutes on electric power alone while retaining the flexibility of a petrol engine for longer trips.
Mild Hybrid FAQs
How long should a mild hybrid battery last?
The 48-volt lithium-ion battery used in a mild hybrid system is engineered for longevity and designed for long service life and expected last for many years under normal driving world conditions. Unlike the larger battery packs found in PHEVs and full EVs - which cycle through deep charge and discharge - an mHEV battery operates within a much narrower, shallower range, which significantly reduces wear over time. Most manufacturers, including Škoda, expect the mHEV battery to last the lifetime of the vehicle under normal driving conditions, often expected to last well beyond 200,000 km
How much does it cost to replace a mild hybrid battery?
Because the mHEV battery is a smaller, simpler 48-volt unit rather than the large high-voltage pack found in full hybrids or plug-in hybrids, replacement costs are considerably more modest. Should a battery ever require replacement outside of warranty, costs are typically significantly lower than PHEV or BEV battery replacement costs.
For peace of mind, all Škoda mHEV models sold in Australia are covered by the brand’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty3.
What is the best way to drive a mild hybrid?
The beauty of mHEV technology is that it works automatically - no special technique is required. That said, smooth, progressive driving naturally maximises the benefits. Gentle braking gives the regenerative system more time to recover energy, and driving at steady speeds on the highway allows the engine to coast with electric assistance, reducing fuel consumption further. Essentially, the smoother you drive, the more the mild hybrid system can do for you.
Do you need to charge an mHEV?
No. This is one of the most compelling advantages of a mild hybrid. An mHEV charges its own battery automatically through regenerative braking, the process of recovering kinetic energy when you slow down or brake. There is no plug, no charging cable, and no need to find a charging station. You simply drive and refuel at a petrol station as normal. This makes an mHEV ideal for drivers who want improved fuel efficiency without any change to their routine.