After an enjoyable test drive, I am considering the purchase of a Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid to replace my trusty Honda Civic Hybrid which is no longer is entitled to Congestion Charge exemption. I drive each day about 17 miles to the office and back, and Toyota says that the Prius plug-in will do 15 miles on the battery charge. But a friend who has bought one says the figure is more like nine miles on one charge. I have the facility to charge at each end of my journey for between eight and 12 hours. Is the recharge a gimmick, or a practical response to saving money and time refuelling? The other solution is to buy a 100 per cent electric car and keep the Honda, but that means more insurance and service costs despite no Vehicle Excise Duty.