In the past, fuel efficiency was often a trade-off with performance. These days, the two are rarely mutually exclusive – engineers spend as much time optimising efficiency as they do performance.

Take the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 e SUV, for example. This plug-in hybrid offers 65km of WLTP-tested electric-only range, making it an efficient option for day-to-day driving. Yet it also delivers a combined system output of 160kW and 450Nm of torque – plenty of punch for a small SUV.

Today’s vehicles – whether they’re sedans, SUVs or high-performance cars – can be powered by fuel, electricity or a combination of the two. But no matter what sort of vehicle you drive, there are things you can do to maximise your mileage.

Universal rules for energy or fuel efficiency

Certain universal rules apply when it comes to driving efficiently, regardless of what type of car you drive.

Getting the best fuel economy from a hybrid

Getting the best out of a hybrid isn't all that different to driving a petrol car – but paying attention to how you use the accelerator can help you get more out of the added electrification. For instance, driving away gently from a standstill or easing off the throttle slightly on the highway might let the vehicle switch off the engine and run on electric power alone.

A hybrid can also capture energy as it slows down, so anticipating traffic and lifting off the accelerator early can help feed power back into the battery while you coast. A little bit of planning can go a long way.

When plug-in hybrids first appeared, they had much smaller electric-only ranges, so it was usually best to let the vehicle juggle the engine and battery use. Today’s plug-in hybrids – like the Mercedes-Benz C 350 e, which offers an NEDC-tested electric range of 104km – mean there’s more scope for the driver to decide which powertrain is used and when.

In addition to the traditional Hybrid mode, plug-in hybrids offer ‘Electric’ and ‘Battery Level’ options, which essentially let the car use only electric or combustion power respectively. Electric mode is best at slow speeds or in stop-start traffic, while Battery Level is better for higher constant speeds.

A longer journey will usually start in town, take in an extended stretch of highway, then end back in town again. So the smart move is to use E-mode at the start, switch to E-save on the highway – where the engine is at its most efficient while also feeding energy back into the battery – then revert back to E-mode once you're back in traffic.

How to get maximum EV range

Driving efficiency matters much less than it once did with the latest all-electric vehicles. Thanks to big leaps in battery technology, the latest Mercedes-Benz EVs can cover long distances on a single charge – the new all-electric Mercedes-Benz CLA 350 4MATIC, for example, has over 600km of WLTP-tested range. 

The most useful tool for drivers is regenerative braking, which can be made stronger or weaker using the paddles on the steering wheel. In built-up areas it's possible to use 'one-pedal' driving, setting the regenerative braking to such a level that you can slow to a stop without using the brake pedal. At the other end of the spectrum, setting the braking level to zero lets the car 'sail' along, which is helpful at higher speeds. 

It also pays to be aware of your climate functions. A heated steering wheel or seat is best turned off unless needed, as they use up power. External temperatures also matter for EVs: while the car does a remarkable job of keeping the battery at its most efficient temperature, range may be affected in very cold conditions. 

Sticking to your scheduled servicing program will also help keep your car’s performance strong, not just now but for many years to come.