PHEV is the acronym for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. PHEV hybrids differ from other types of low-emission cars because they have a rechargeable onboard battery. With a PHEV, this power pack can be used temporarily as the sole means of propulsion, thanks to an electric motor. However, because it isn't as large as a fully electric car's battery, the EV-only range is somewhat limited. Thankfully, with a conventional internal combustion engine under the bonnet, buyers don't have the range anxiety of a battery electric vehicle (BEV) like the Tesla Model 3 or Nissan Leaf 2.
Interestingly, manufacturers often blend the 2 technologies together, with the fossil fuel engine and electric motors working as a team. The result is decreased emissions, especially in towns, and improved fuel economy.
In short, you could think of a PHEV as a car with many of the benefits of an electric car, i.e. low emissions (electric cars are tailpipe emission-free) and an EV-only mode, with the added capability of travelling long distances without having to stop and recharge.
PHEV facts
Surprisingly, the first hybrid is a lot older than you think. The Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid was built in 1899. NASA and Boeing investigated the Mixte when designing the Lunar Rover.
How do you pronounce PHEV? Some people pronounce it as a word that sounds like "fev". However, as it is an acronym, spelling out "P-H-E-V" is also perfectly acceptable.
What's the difference between a PHEV and a mild hybrid?
As above, the PHEV is a plug-in vehicle with a combustion engine. Generally, they have a larger onboard battery pack than a mild hybrid and the ability to travel in EV-only mode.
A mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) is more of a closed circuit, typically with smaller batteries and generally lacking the ability to run entirely on electric power. In an MHEV, the electric motor supplements the engine (rather than providing propulsion power independently) and makes use of energy reclamation systems such as regenerative braking to recharge the battery. The MHEV could be thought of as the middle ground between a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and a car with a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE). A HEV can run under a combination of the electric motor (for brief periods, it is possible to travel on electric power alone) or the engine, but lacks the ability to be plugged in for topping up. The most widely known HEV is probably the Toyota Prius. Some manufacturers label this type of hybrid as "self-charging", which is a term that attracts much scrutiny.
People tend to call all of the above a hybrid car, which is true, but PHEV, MHEV and HEV more acutely denote the degree of hybridisation.
The 2022 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV offers great flexibility and fuel savings on paper, but how does this promising package stack up in the real world?
We really liked the combustion-engine-only XC40 when we drove it earlier in the year, so how does this plug-in hybrid compare considering you do pay a premium for the Recharge version?
Here's what you need to know before purchasing a PHEV.
When you buy a combustion-engined car, fuel economy is one of the biggest things to think about as it directly impacts your wallet at the petrol station. With an electric car, energy efficiency and range take the place of that concern.
Obviously, the more range you have, the better. That could mean you travel around town exclusively on electric power with your PHEV. Or it could mean the difference between commuting to work and back entirely on electricity (and avoiding having to dip into your fuel tank). If you're able to travel on electric power only, that could save you a considerable amount on your yearly fuel bill.
If you made the jump to a fully electric car, you'll likely get range anxiety at some point. That's because you can only travel a finite number of kilometres before you need to top up the battery and charging stations aren't yet as prevalent as ordinary petrol stations.
With a PHEV, because you can switch to fuel and fill up at service stations, you don't have the same worries. In a way, you have the best of both worlds as you can also charge your car at home or on a compatible public charger.
Just like any car, the lower the number of litres required to travel 100 kilometres, the less you'll spend on fuel. Look out for cars with the lowest claimed fuel economy figures. Hybrids such as the Kia Niro, Hyundai Ioniq and the Lexus NX 450h+ all claim to use well under 2.0L/100km combined.
Having an additional electric system housed inside the car can add to maintenance complexity and result in slightly increased servicing costs.
With the extra technology and components required to make a PHEV, the initial purchase price will probably be higher than an equivalent traditional fuel-powered car.
For example, a 5-seater, automatic Ford Escape ST-Line FWD SUV starts from $42,215. Meanwhile, the PHEV variant has a manufacturer's recommended driveaway price of around $57,815. The PHEV Range Rover Sport SE costs $11,736 more than the non-hybrid model.
If you look on the government's Green Vehicle Guide website, the best-performing vehicle after EV cars for low-emissions is the BMW i3 PHEV, followed by the Hyundai IONIQ PHEV. Mercedes-Benz's A250e and the MG HS PHEV also place in the top 10.
When considering fuel life-cycle emissions, which factor in transportation and the production of fuels, then the Hyundai IONIQ PHEV and the upcoming Kia Niro S Plug-in are some of the best performers.
Batteries, like an engine or car itself, have a limited lifespan. How long they last depends on the conditions and temperatures they are used in as well as the type of driving undertaken. Therefore, you wouldn't expect a PHEV that's several years old to have the same claimed range as when it was new.
Carrying around the batteries, wiring, control modules and motors that form the PHEV system of the car is not without penalties.
For example, the Range Rover Sport SE 3.0L 6-cylinder diesel weighs 2,278kg, while the hybrid tips the scale at 2,539kg. You are going to notice that extra 261kg if you drive them back to back, especially in the handling traits of the car. It's the equivalent of travelling with more than 2 average front-row rugby league players – all the time.
If you're not travelling that many kilometres per year, you're not going to reap the same level of cost-cutting and in the long run, a hybrid car may not save you as much money as you'd imagine. The more you travel, the more you'll be able to offset your emissions and fuel costs versus a non-hybrid car.
That depends on your circumstances. Do you have a family? Are you looking for something sporty? Is it a car you'll drive mostly around town? The answer to these common PHEV questions can be found below.
Which PHEV should I buy for a family car?
That really is dependent on your budget and the size of your family. If the budget is a bit tight, the MG HS PLUS EV Essence PHEV is one of the cheapest plug-in hybrids on sale.
If you want something more luxurious, and need to carry up to 7, then the Volvo XC90 Recharge PHEV will meet those requirements, though it has a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $127,059.
Which PHEV is the most sporty?
Probably the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, which is the famous sports car brand's first PHEV. It has a 4.0L, twin-turbo V8 and 3 electric motors. The car will warp from 0–100km/h in 2.5 seconds and has an electric-only range of 25km. Claimed fuel economy combined is 6.1L/100km, but the price for this luxury sports car is likely north of $1 million once you factor in dealer delivery and on-road costs.
If you want a PHEV that's a smidge more affordable, then you might like something like the BMW 330 e M Sport PHEV, with a manufacturer's recommended driveaway price (MRDP) that starts at $95,415. This car produces 215kW and 300Nm from its 2.0L petrol engine. Combined fuel economy is given as 2.1L/100km.
Something like the Hyundai IONIQ PHEV, with its compact turning circle of 10.6 metres will suit you nicely. It also has an impressive EV-only range.
Which PHEV should I buy for a company car?
The Mitsubishi Outlander makes sense thanks to its solid blend of fuel economy and EV range. The BMW 330e or Merc C300e would also make a lot of sense, as those cars (in non-hybrid guise) have been travelling businessperson staples for decades.
PHEV car financing
Looking for a pocket-friendly loan for your environmentally friendly car? Use the below comparison table and you could save hundreds of dollars.
Ben Gribbin is an automotive writer at Finder. He is a life-long car enthusiast, bringing many years of experience working with and writing about cars. During his time, Ben has been a freelance writer, editor and reviewer for a number of leading publications across the UK. He was voted the Guild of Motoring Writers Breakthrough Blogger in 2015.
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