PHEVs are similar to conventional hybrids in many aspects. Both these types have an inside combustion engine and an electrical motor. The key difference between these two is that PHEVs are able to be charged by plugging into an outlet. Unlike regular hybrids, PHEVs can substitute electricity from the grid from the gas engine.
PHEVs feature larger and more powerful battery than non-plug-in hybrids. The battery allows your PHEV to operate on the electric power solely just like a pure electric vehicle that does not use a gas engine. Similarly, you can charge PHEVs by using a household 120-volt outlet.
The large size and added complexities contribute to the cost of PHEVs vehicles. These are expensive than regular hybrids. Though you will have to spend more upfront for PHEVs, still, you will find it worth spending if you consider the benefits.
As these vehicles can purely run on electricity, it will significantly reduce your energy bill on a daily basis. Also, batteries of your PHEV can be charged using regenerative braking. When the battery will drain out completely, the engine will kick in to support your drive.
The efficiency of PHEV vehicles mostly depends on some factors that include driving condition, style, and weather condition. To get the best mileage, you will have to master a few arts to avoid using your PHEV gas engine. PHEVs can solely run on electricity for some miles. It will vary depending on the model. For example, the 2014 Ford Fusion Energi can run about twenty-one miles using electricity one. 2014 Chevy volt can go thirty-miles before using the gas engine. The 2018 Hyundai Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid can go on electricity around twenty-nine miles. Toyota Prius Prime will only travel twenty-five miles.
Many people drive less than the above-mentioned distance every day. As a result, they do not need to spend on fuel. According to the UCS report, around fifty-four percent of people drive less than forty miles in a day. Electricity will certainly cost less than gasoline. It will also put less pressure on the PHEV engine.
To learn more about PHEVs, start here.
How Does PHEV Engine Work?
PHEV has a gas engine.
The gas engine first operates on the electricity when the battery is fully charged.
Once your vehicle’s battery is empty, it starts using fuels. This feature enables users to get optimal driving.
PHEV battery can be recharged by the internal combustion engine, charging outlet, or regenerative braking. When you use the brake, the electric motor of your vehicle will act as a generator. The electric motor will supplement the engine power to increase fuel efficiency without affecting the performance of your vehicle.
PHEVs start in all-electric mode once and will run until the battery is completely depleted. Some vehicles start using the gas engine while using the highway cruising speed, especially when it reaches sixty or seventy miles per hour.
Once your battery is drained out, the gas engine will kick in and the vehicle will start working as a conventional hybrid.
You will find two types of basic configuration in PHEVs
- Extended-range electric vehicles
- Blended plug-in hybrids
In the first configuration, the electric motor will turn the wheels and PHEV engine will generate electricity. These vehicles will solely run on the electricity and will use fuel only when the battery is completely exhausted.
These are best for short trips since you might not need to use gasoline at all.
In blended PHEVs, the electric and engine motor both are connected to the wheels and enable your vehicle to drive in most driving conditions. You can use electric-only at the low speeds.
The difference between these two basic configurations is that extended range vehicles can run solely run on the electricity to a certain range. But blended plug-in hybrids cannot run solely on electricity. Instead, it can use electricity at low speeds only.
From the above, you might have some idea about the PHEV engine and its working process. Now we will discuss 10 PHEVs with the best engines.
10 PHEVs with Best Engines
BMW 225xe Active Tourer
This PHEV is well built and comfortable. The interior looks smart with top quality materials. Also, you will like the sumptuous upholstery choices and designs for dashboard inlays.
It has a 1.5-liter gasolene engine that provides 224Ps in total along and an electric motor.
The Active Tourer comes with a great combination of the good level of the grip through corners and comfortable ride.
Kia Niro PHEV
You might think it is like another small crossover. However, it is different and does not come with a conventional engine. Instead, you will find three different versions, electric, hybrid, and PHEV.
The PHEV has the 1.6 –liter gasoline engine like the hybrid. But it features a powerful 44.5kW electric motor. The electric-only range is thirty-six miles.
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV has the honor of being the first PHEV SUV. This vehicle is hugely popular. You can drive it around twenty to twenty-five miles only on electricity. If you charge it regularly, you do not need to use your gasoline engine at all. It comes with a four-cylinder petrol engine.
You can expect thirty to forty mpg from your PHEV when the battery is flat.
Volkswagen Golf GTE
Volkswagen Golf GTE is more than a simple PHEV. Volkswagen has added some few features to make it a bit sporty and futuristic. This vehicle comes with an impeccable interior. The electric- rage is thirty-one miles. Volkswagen Golf GTE is ideal for daily use.
It features a 1.4-liter engine that works seamlessly with the 102PS electric motor both at high and low-speeds.
As a result, your driving will be easy and more comfortable regardless of your driving style and driving conditions. When the PHEV engine kicks in, there will not be any break or jolt in the power.
Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In
Ioniq has three popular versions. These are a purely electric model, Plug-in Hybrid or PHEV, and Standard hybrid. HHEV is the latest addition. Also, it is one of the cheapest hybrids available in the current condition.
This vehicle can run around thirty-nine miles in the electric mode only and the total range is 680 miles.
It supported by five-year unlimited mileage warranty. When it comes to the engine, it uses a 1.6-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor.
It will run on the electricity when the speed is low or while cruising. The gasoline engine will be running almost all the time. To use more electricity, it is suggested to drive at low speeds only.
Mercedes-Benz E 350 e
Mercedes-Benz E 350 e features a smooth and conventional gasoline engine.
The vehicle is powered by a 2.3-liter petrol engine along and an electric motor. The combination of both provides 300PS.
That is certainly far from being slow. It is equipped with AMG line, two trim levels, and SE levels.
Other features include:
- Climate control
- LED headlamps
- A nine-speed automatic gearbox
- Navigation
- Bluetooth connectivity
Toyota Prius Plug-In
Toyota Prius Plug-In comes in a different and unique look than regular hybrids. You will love both the exterior and interior. It looks better and more futuristic than previous versions.
This vehicle can run around thirty miles on the electricity mode.
The vehicle was a bit pricey at the time of launching. However, the price has reduced significantly with the cheapest version.
The updated engine of this vehicle is paired with the aerodynamic styling and that provides an economic figure of 70/km.
Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine
Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine is well-designed and well-equipped. It is incredibly comfortable and spacious. You will find many same qualities as the bigger XC90.
This vehicle is the most powerful version that comes with 407PS. It has a 320PS petrol engine along with an 87PS electric motor.
Volvo XC60 T8 Twin Engine can cover thirty-eight miles on the electricity only. The downside is the price. It costs more than most of the PHEVs.
MINI Countryman Plug-In
The MINI Countryman Plug-In uses a 1.5-liter petrol three-cylinder engine like other Mini range.
But it has an electric motor that gives MINI Countryman no less than 224PS in total. It can run around twenty-five miles on the electricity only. The charging will not take more than two to three hours. This vehicle is fantastic to drive. It feels sharply engaging as well.
The combination downright quirkiness and practicality makes it a favorite option for many. The cabin design of this vehicle is of high quality and unique.
Audi Q7 e-tron
Audi Q7 e-
Unlike the EX90, this version uses a diesel engine and an electric motor that gives 373PS. The electric range of this vehicle is thirty-four miles.
In the PHEV vehicles, the engine is more complex since it is designed to use both electricity and fuel to offer optimal driving. This feature increases the price of the vehicle significantly.
Though PHEV vehicles can solely operate on the electricity model, still, some vehicles are designed to use electricity at a low speed.
Therefore, it is important to understand the model before considering one. You should always choose the one that runs more miles with electricity only. Also, use some tricks to use electricity in the best possible manner,