A plug-in hybrid car (PHEV) is a car that has both a combustion engine and an electric motor. Some people do say, the best of 2 worlds! The electric motor can be charged through a plug, giving the car an electric range. If the battery is dead, the car can still run on the combustion engine and you, don't have to worry about the nearest charging station.
More and more plug-in hybrids are entering the market but is it a smart choice? In this article, the pros and cons of a PHEV.
What are the advantages of a plug-in hybrid?
The advantages of a PHEV are:
- Lower CO2 emissions than an internal combustion engine-only car
- Lower fuel costs than an internal combustion engine-only car
- Quieter driving than an internal combustion engine-only car
- More power than a car with only an electric motor
- Discount on road tax (although this will be slowly phased out)
The disadvantages of a PHEV are:
- The purchase price is higher than an internal combustion engine-only car
- The battery should be charged regularly
- Range on electricity is limited
- The battery makes the car heavier
In general, PHEVs are a good choice for people who want a car with low CO2 emissions and lower fuel costs. Plug-in hybrids are also a good choice for people who regularly make short journeys, as they allow you to drive fully electric and save considerably on fuel.
Do you still need to fill up with a plug in hybrid?
Suppose you only make short trips and can actually drive on the electric motor all the time, is it still necessary to refuel? Unfortunately, yes. It is not possible to drive only electric, occasionally it is necessary to drive on the fuel engine. In fact, you will find that a PHEV will automatically give notification that you need to drive on fuel. In some cases, it will even give this automatically. Why is that?
Shelf life of fuel in PHEV
The shelf life of fuel in the tank depends on a number of factors, including fuel quality, temperature and humidity. Generally, fuel in a closed tank lasts about 3 months. If the tank is not completely full, water can enter the tank, reducing the fuel's shelf life. Also, the fuel may oxidise, making it burn less well.
With a plug-in hybrid car, you need to fill up less often than with an internal combustion engine-only car. This is because you can charge the car with electricity. The exact frequency of refuelling depends on how you use the car, its electric range and the availability of charging points. If you drive the car mainly electric, you might only need to refuel once a month. If you often drive the car long distances, you may need to refuel more often.
Either way, it is necessary to run on fuel regularly so that the tank runs out and you have to fill up with new fuel. This is important for preserving the engine, starter battery and other components in the car. This way, you ensure that the engine keeps running properly.
What are the financial benefits of a PHEV?
At the time of writing (2023), there is really only 1 financial benefit for plug-in hybrids (besides lower fuel consumption); road tax rebates.
Road tax is a tax you have to pay if you own a car. PHEVs with CO2 emissions of less than 50 grams per kilometre get 50% rebates on this tax. This has been extended until 2024.
Previously, there was also discount on purchase tax (BPM), lower additional taxable income and subsidy on purchase costs but this has since been abolished. These benefits now only apply to fully electric vehicles.
Is a plug-in hybrid really environmentally friendly?
PHEVs are generally more environmentally friendly than combustion-only cars, but of course they have higher emissions than fully electric cars. The CO2 emissions of a PHEV depend on how the car is used. If the car is mainly driven electrically, CO2 emissions are low. If the car is often driven long distances on the combustion engine, CO2 emissions are higher.
Research shows that in practice, the CO2 emissions of PHEVs are often higher than promised by car manufacturers. In practice, this is mainly because the range of PHEVs is limited and many people drive long distances on fuel. Because a plug-in hybrid has a heavy battery on board, it is a heavy car which naturally requires a lot of fuel. The petrol (or diesel) engine then has to work hard to reach the desired level, leading to much higher emission values than a normal petrol or diesel car.
It is therefore not for nothing that the government is phasing out tax breaks for PHEVs. In practice, these cars are not at all as environmentally friendly as the manufacturers promise, so preferential financial treatment would be misplaced.
How can you reduce the CO2 emissions of a PHEV?
If you want to buy a PHEV, it is important to be aware of the car's CO2 emissions. You can reduce a PHEV's CO2 emissions by charging the car often and by driving electric for short distances.
Here are some tips to reduce your PHEV's CO2 emissions:
- Charge the car regularly.
- Drive electric for short distances.
- Avoid driving on the internal combustion engine when not needed.
- Choose a PHEV with low CO2 emissions.
What is the measurement method for emissions?
The European Commission has developed a measurement method for the emissions of plug-in hybrid cars (PHEVs). This method is called WLTP, which stands for Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure. WLTP is a harmonised test method for measuring the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of light vehicles. The test method was developed by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the International Council for Engine Purity (SAE International).
WLTP is a more realistic test method than its predecessor, NEDC (New European Driving Cycle). NEDC was based on a theoretical driving pattern that did not match real-world conditions. WLTP is based on a driving pattern composed of a number of different driving modes, including city driving, highway driving and country roads.
WLTP is a complex testing method that costs a lot of time and money. However, the test method is necessary to get a realistic picture of the fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of PHEVs.
The European Commission has made the WLTP test method mandatory for all new PHEVs launched on the market from 1 September 2018.
At the time of writing, the European Commission is also busy working on an even more realistic measurement method of the consumption and emissions of plug-in hybrid cars. This may yet have a big impact on, for example, road tax, sales prices and availability of (new) PHEV cars. We look forward to hearing about developments!
Popular PHEVs
There are many popular plug-in hybrid cars on the market. Some of the most popular models are:
- Volkswagen Golf GTE: The Golf GTE has an electric range of 59 kilometres.
- Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid: The Niro Plug-in Hybrid has an electric range of 62 kilometres.
- Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid: The Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid has an electric range of 66 kilometres.
- Ford Kuga Plug-in Hybrid: The Kuga Plug-in Hybrid has an electric range of 50 kilometres.
- Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid: The RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid has an electric range of 61 kilometres.
- Mercedes C300e plug-in hybrid
- BMW 330e
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