HYBRIDS
Understandably, many car buyers aren’t ready to go full EV. Instead, they’re looking at traditional hybrids (HEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), and extended-range EVs (EREVs) − each of which have a full-sized gas tank along with a “small” battery. Compared to EVs, the benefit of vehicles with a gas tank and engine is their extended range. The benefit of the battery is it makes these vehicles more energy efficient and boost overall MPG by recharging them whenever the brakes are engaged − a process called “regenerative braking” or “regen”.
THEIR DIFFERENCES
TRADITIONAL HYBRIDS (HEVs) vs. PLUG-IN HYBRIDS (PHEVs).
PHEVs have three advantages over traditional hybrids (HEVs) which have small batteries and can’t be plugged in. First, PHEVs’ larger batteries are good for 25-60 miles depending on the vehicle model. Second, their batteries can be recharged by plugging them into either a standard 120v outlet, or a 240v (Level 2 charger) outlet for faster charging. (Note that PHEVs cannot use DC Fast Chargers.) And third, PHEV drivers can control when their vehicles run on gas or battery. With traditional hybrids, a computer system automatically switches between the two modes based on driving conditions and speed.
Which is better, HEVs or PHEVs? That depends on four factors:
- The cost differential between the HEV and its PHEV equivalent,
- Whether you can take advantage of charging them at home and/or at work,
- How much you’d appreciate the quicker acceleration battery-driving offers, and
- How much you care about decreasing air pollution by driving on electricity rather than burning gas.
PHEVs vs. EREVs.
One difference is that while all PHEVs are plug-ins (by definition), not all EREV models come in a plug-in version. A second difference is that EREVs generally have larger batteries. The big difference, however, is the function of the gas engines. For PHEVs, the gas engine’s function is to drive the vehicle. For EREVs, the engine’s function is to charge the battery which then drives the vehicle. As with EVs, battery driven cars have greater torque and instantaneous power, which is the advantage EREV have over PHEVs. However, while there’s a large choice of PHEVs, there are few, if any EREVs available. While Stellantis is coming out with their Ram 1500 Ramcharger in 2025, and both Hyundai and Genesis plan on selling ERVEs in 2027, both the Chevrolet Volt and the BMW i3 ERVEs have been discontinued.
PHEVs vs. EVs
PHEVs−3 or 4 PROS
- A longer range before refueling,
- The batteries aren’t as large, saving both battery cost and weight,
- Drivability during extended, region-wide blackouts − assuming the tank is full, since gas-pumps don’t work without electricity, and
- Depending on the vehicles being compared, PHEVs are likely to be less expensive. But given that EV maintenance is almost non-existent, charging at home is cheaper than gas, and EVs will last for a 100,000+ more miles, the total cost of ownership likely tilts towards EVs.
5 CONS
- Studies have shown that most people rarely plug their hybrids in; in essence their hybrids are driven as regular gas cars, but with the added expense and weight of a battery,
- You’ll still have the same maintenance costs as a regular gas car. In fact, the cars are more complicated (and potentially costlier) since they have two distinct energy systems (powertrains),
- Because these are gas cars with added batteries, they can’t take advantage of the incredible extra space and safer handling that EVs offer.
- Although rare, plug-in hybrids are statistically far more likely to burst into flames than either gas cars or EVs, and
- Even if you recharge your hybrid every night, if you drive more than the battery’s range, you’ll still end up burning gas, contributing more to air pollution and global climate change than an EV that only runs on electricity.[1]
EREVs vs. EVs
EREVs−4 or 5 PROS
- The same 3 or 4 pros as with PHEVs, plus…
- When it comes to instantaneous torque, EREVs are about as good as EVs since they’re also driven by batteries and motors, rather than a gas engine.
6 CONS
- The same 5 negatives as with PHEVs, plus…
- Because the gas engines are designed to charge the battery rather than shift gears to meet the demands of different driving conditions, the engines aren’t as energy efficient as gas vehicle engines.
OUR STORY
Several years before we purchased our Tesla, we bought a Toyota Prius Prime which is a PHEV. With the two exceptions that it’s not great on snow (we never bought snow-tires) and the reduced trunk space due to the battery, we love this car. It gets 55 MPG on gas, and goes for ~25 miles on electric getting over 100 MPGe. Hard to beat that! Currently it’s our great second car, and since we almost exclusively use it for local driving, and plug it in whenever the battery is low, it rarely uses gas.[2]
FINAL THOUGHTS & OPINIONS
Should You Get a Plug-in, rather than an EV, as Your Only Car?
If you care about the environment and can plug your vehicle in at night, but aren’t ready to commit to a full EV, absolutely consider a PHEV or EREV, assuming it’s worth any additional cost over its gas and/or HEV siblings. However, if you’re not considering an EV solely because of their higher sticker price, make sure your financial analysis includes: 1) that charging at home is way cheaper than buying gas, 2) the savings from EVs lacking almost all traditional gas car maintenance, and 3) that EVs last for many more miles and years than PHEVs and EREVs, thereby further reducing the total cost of ownership.
The only situation in which I can wholeheartedly recommend getting a PHEV or EREV over an EV is for pickup-truck users needing to haul heavy loads over long distances or those wanting to go off-roading. With only a couple of exceptions, battery technology just isn’t there yet, and Level 3 fast chargers have yet to be built near out-of-the-way off-roading areas. But for the vast majority of pickup-truck owners who neither haul heavy loads or go off-roading, EV versions should be considered for all the reasons EVs are superior.
If You Decide to Get a PHEV or EREV
If you’re still determined to get a PHEV or EREV, the only manufacturer I can recommend is Toyota because of their long and successful history of making them. This isn’t just my opinion, but, as of the end of 2023, Consumer Reports’ as well. This isn’t necessarily to say other manufacturers don’t make great cars, including PHEVs and EREVs, only to say they don’t yet have a good track record of doing so, and as CR states, new models are always problematic no matter who the car company is. I highly recommend watching at least the first half and then the last segment which starts at minute 23:20. I think you’ll end up agreeing it was worth your time. tinyurl.com/CR-reliability
ONE FINAL CONSIDERATION – OWNER SATISFACTION
According to J.D. Power, while both EV and PHEV owner satisfactions are high, EVs are higher in every category including total cost of ownership (EVs 730 vs. PHEVs 595). Perhaps more importantly, 70% of PHEV owners are likely to consider an EV for their next vehicle. Apparently, by gaining the experience of plugging in their PHEVs, and realizing how easy and beneficial these vehicles are, they’re now ready to go full EV.[3]
[1] For those who question whether EVs getting their electricity from fossil fuel plants burning power is as bad as cars burning gas, please refer to “THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF EV’S” in Handout #1.
[2] We do, however, have to fully use (burn off) the gas once or twice a year to prevent it from going bad and destroying the engine when used. But we only fill it to a third of the tank, so it’s not horrible.
[3] tinyurl.com/JDPower-EVs (released 5/23/24). Watch from minute 19:30 through 22:00.