If you’re looking to save money on gas but still want a bit of excitement during your commute home or weekend adventures, plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs) might be the ideal solution.
PHEVs combine the fuel-efficiency and emissions-free benefits of hybrids with the all-electric capabilities of battery or fuel cell vehicles. On average, they use 30 to 60% less gasoline than traditional cars, potentially saving owners hundreds of dollars annually in gas expenses.
PHEV vs. EV
A plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) is an efficient choice for drivers seeking to save money on fuel. It combines the efficiency of a hybrid with the all-electric capabilities of an EV. However, PHEVs have limited range and should only be considered by those who drive regularly within its battery capacity.
PHEVs are an attractive option for those seeking to improve their fuel economy while driving in urban areas. Furthermore, they boast low emissions and provide various charging options, including solar-generated electricity.
Most PHEVs are capable of covering up to 50 miles on pure electric power, meaning they can complete most urban journeys without needing to recharge with traditional petrol or diesel and emit zero tailpipe emissions in the process.
Furthermore, many PHEVs are capable of quick acceleration. This makes them an attractive option for anyone seeking the latest technology in a car or wanting an ultra-performance model for business purposes.
Due to their innovative designs, PHEVs are becoming increasingly popular with consumers. Thanks to advanced technology behind them, these vehicles can run in electric mode much longer than most conventional gas-powered vehicles can.
Another advantage of PHEVs is that they don’t require special charging infrastructure to get started. You can charge them at home, at work, or any public charger – making them ideal for homeowners concerned about the environmental impact of relying on centralized power stations to fuel up their cars.
Some PHEVs can be charged using a household solar energy system, cutting down on operating costs. This trend will only grow with the rise of renewable sources like wind and hydroelectricity.
Regenerative brakes on PHEVs can be utilized to recharge the batteries and increase efficiency even further. Furthermore, this technique helps reduce tailpipe emissions associated with hybrid vehicles.
Though electric vehicle technology is rapidly progressing, pure EVs will likely need some time before their range can rival that of PHEV or conventional combustion engine vehicles. In the meantime, PHEVs will remain the go-to choice for those wanting to drive on pure electric power longterm and without access to centralized charging networks.
PHEV Range
If you’re looking to make the switch to a more eco-friendly vehicle without sacrificing driving comfort, plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs) may be your perfect solution. These hybrid and electric vehicles combine fuel efficiency of hybrids with the range of an electric car; they can travel up to 40 miles on battery power alone, but their gas engines will kick in when necessary to recharge their batteries.
PHEVs typically get fewer miles per gallon than their hybrid counterparts, but that doesn’t mean they can’t compete with pure gas-powered cars when it comes to fuel economy. For instance, the 2022 Ford Escape PHEV and Lexus NX 450h Plus AWD both travel 37 miles on electric power before using their gas engines.
Our top pick for the Niro PHEV is the Niro, with an electric range of 26 miles and a base price of $30,765 (plus $4,443 credit). This 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine combined with its electric motor produces 139 horsepower through its six-speed automatic transmission.
For a bit more money, the Kia Optima PHEV offers an electric range of 28 miles and starts at $37,315 in only the EX trim. Its 10-kilowatt-hour battery produces 202 horsepower.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport PHEV offers an impressive battery-only range, covering 48 miles on electric power and 48 on gasoline. With its regenerative braking system that extends charge when needed, you’ll be able to go longer before needing the gas engine again.
Additionally, it allows you to conserve battery power when not driving – an especially handy feature on long journeys.
On the list of five PHEVs with the longest electric-only range are two models from Volvo: S60 T8 AWD Recharge and V60 T8 AWD Recharge. Both come in sedan and wagon form, with the former offering slightly better range than its V60 counterpart. They both provide easy eco-focused driving mode as well as a handy “reserve” function which lets you use some percentage of your battery when needed.
PHEV Emissions
Plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs) produce significantly fewer tailpipe emissions than their traditional counterparts do. However, they also generate upstream emissions related to the production of gasoline and electricity that form part of their life cycle – known as cradle-to-grave (C2G) emissions. According to EPA estimates, PHEVs achieve this low C2G performance through their hybrid powertrain by using electric power for most part of their drive cycle and refuelling with gasoline only when necessary.
However, emissions still fluctuate significantly depending on operating condition, vehicle characteristics and other factors. The aim of this paper is to develop a simplified model for modeling PHEVs CO2 emissions that can be integrated into existing inventory calculations or other applications where life cycle or fleet CO2 emissions are relevant – such as fuel taxes.
To this end, an extension of the PHEV model developed in this study was employed to estimate their CO2 emissions under realistic use patterns. Two probability distributions were determined for daily driven distance and average trip speed under CD and CS operation, then combined into likely real-world-weighted CO2 values.
The initial state-of-charge (SoC) distribution for PHEV batteries provides the probability that the vehicle will be operated in one particular way at any given moment, whether CD or CS operation. The second distribution provides a first level representation of trip dynamics that more closely mirrors realistic driving practice.
Both probability distributions show the higher e-share value and high average trip speed as being consistent with real world use conditions. While these results provide a good indication of how PHEVs perform under realistic operating conditions, the most significant deviation in CO2 emissions from certification values occurs under less favorable operating conditions like low speeds or high initial SOC.
Modeling the CD and CS behavior of PHEVs requires taking into account their complex nature, which varies significantly depending on trip and charging state. This presents a key challenge in creating an easy-to-use emissions calculation model that can be applied to existing inventories or other applications where life cycle or fleet carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are taken into account.
PHEV Chargers
PHEVs charge their batteries through either a plug-in home charger or at a public charging station. These options provide convenience if you don’t need to travel far or do much driving in your vehicle.
No matter where you charge your electric vehicle (PHEV) – at home or at a public station – the type of charger used has an impact on its battery life. If unsure which option is best suited for you, consult with an expert to make sure you have the appropriate equipment.
Level 1 chargers, which most PHEVs come standard with, provide 120 volts and 15-20 amps of power. While this can be sufficient for overnight charging or a quick recharge of your electric vehicle, if you need speedier charging or need the ability to run any systems while plugged in then a Level 2 home charger may be more suitable.
Level 2 chargers offer up to 80 amps of power, making them more powerful but necessitating a dedicated circuit from your home’s circuit breaker box to the electric vehicle’s charging location. However, this may cost thousands of dollars to install if your home doesn’t already have such an adequate breaker box.
DCFC (Direct Current Fast Charging) equipment can rapidly charge an electric vehicle (EV) up to 80% in 20 minutes to an hour at certain DC stations. While this could be beneficial for charging PHEVs, their batteries weren’t designed with such speed in mind.
PHEV owners typically opt for a hardwired system, as this provides an electrical line directly from your home’s circuit breaker box to the desired charging location. This provides maximum convenience and can support multiple vehicles if you choose to purchase more than one EV.
Finding the correct type of charger for your PHEV can be a challenge, but it’s essential for maintaining your electric vehicle’s health and performance in the long run. Before making a decision about buying an electric vehicle, ensure you understand all available charger types and how they can save on energy bills while helping protect the environment.