In this paper a novel non-coupled inductor-based hybrid Zeta converter with a minimal duty cycle is proposed. The converter’s potential benefits include buck and boost operation modes, easy implementation, continuous input current, and high efficiency. The converter provides a higher voltage gain than a conventional Zeta converter and is adapted to EV and LED applications due to the continuous input current. The proposed converter operates in three distinct operation modes via two electronic switches, each operated independently with a different duty ratio. This paper also analyzes the converter’s performance based on equivalent circuits, and analytical waveforms in each operating mode and design procedure are shown. The voltage gain and dynamic modelling are computed for both buck and boost operational modes for the hybrid Zeta converter. The efficiency and performance of the converter in both operating modes are validated using MATLAB/Simulink. Hardware in the loop (HIL) testing method on RT-LAB OP-5700 for both operation modes of the converter are performed. The peak efficiency of the proposed converter with an input voltage of 36 V is obtained at 95.2%. The proposed converter offers a wide voltage gain at a small duty cycle with fewer components and high efficiency. Simulations and experiments have been carried out under different conditions and the results proved that the proposed converter is a viable solution.