There are a few things you need to consider when shopping for a new car, writes Geraldine Herbert 1 THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A BETTER TIME TO GO ELECTRIC One in three car buyers walking into dealerships are no longer opting for a petrol or diesel car. Electric cars, plug-in hybrids and regular hybrids now make up more than 30pc of new car sales. Car makers are responding to demand with a host of options, but how they differ and which is best suited to you is key to finding the right car for your needs. Smooth, silent and easy to drive, electric cars emit no harmful fumes and are really cheap to run. However, longer journeys need planning as the current network of charging points is unreliable in places and they are not ideal for anyone who does not have access to offstreet parking. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) have a much larger battery and electric motor than regular hybrids, so generally can do on average about 50km on electric power. Depending on your daily requirements, you could do your entire commute without using any fuel. PHEVs are a great choice for those with a commute that can take full advantage of the all-electric range, but be warned: fuel saving is most evident in an urban area; at motorway speeds, when the petrol engine takes over, the efficiency is not great due to the extra weight of the car. With regular hybrids, you get the best of both worlds as they are powered by both an electric motor and a petrol or diesel engine. The idea is that the electric motor works for a short time at low speeds and the engine takes over at higher speeds. The benefit of a hybrid is you get better fuel economy and lower emissions than from a standard petrol car, so those who have average commutes and a fairly balanced mix of motorway and city driving can fully avail of its benefits. However, hybrids don’t offer very low fuel economy so they are not ideal for regular long-distance driving.   2 THINK ABOUT YOUR LIFESTYLE Hatchback, estate, saloon, people carrier (MPV) or SUV? For small families, hatchbacks are ideal and there is a huge choice of both new and used models on the market. Estates and saloons are a good option if you...