PHEV – Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles – are they worth it

Should I buy a PHEV

PHEV are they worth it? There has been a lot of talk lately about plug in hybrid electric vehicles or PHEV. Are they any good, are they worth it, what benefits do they provide.

2022 Peugeot 3008 GT Sport Plug-in Hybrid AWD

Like most things, around the push towards finding alternative fuel sources for vehicles it’s not that simple. So let’s have a quick chat about them

On the surface PHEV are perhaps the best blend of technology. After all you get to have anywhere between 40-90km of pure electric driving on a single charge. That would cater for many daily commutes for the average person.

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On top of that you have a fuel efficient hybrid engine that removes any range anxiety for longer distance trips. All while having outstanding fuel economy.

Seems perfect right. Well maybe not

To get the pure electric km you need to have a larger battery, usually somewhere between a 11-15kW battery. As well as somewhere to plug it in when needed and you are carrying a bit of extra weight for the privilege. There is also a lot of environmental damage extracting the raw material for the batteries.

On top of that they are usually a lot more expensive that a normal hybrid version of the same car sometimes up to $20,000. That buys a lot of fuel.

Also like pure electric cars unless you have a garage or somewhere easy to plug it in the act of recharging every day or so can become problematic.

As always you should buy a vehicle that suits your purpose and lifestyle, nit what the politicians want us to and what is the latest trend

This is a Motoring Minute

Im Rob Fraser

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About Rob Fraser 2510 Articles
Rob Fraser – General dogsbody & Director Rob is the founder of the business. He constantly mutters something about way too many red wines one evening being to blame. Often known for taking the 4WD in the driveway over the sports car, he has travelled pretty much everywhere in Australia and when he is bored goes for a drive. He first learned to drive on the farm in a left hand drive WW11 Jeep when he was 11, and was hooked on 4WDriving way back then. In addition to 4WD he is an avid motoring enthusiast and has maintained a strong interest in the industry ever since his teens. He has owned way too many cars in his time as well. Having previously lived at the top of corporate life he retired in 2000 and hasn’t put a suit and tie on since. Cars are his passion so why not have a business doing what you love he figures. He has towed either a caravan or camper trailer to most parts of Australia, has run guided tours for camper trailers’ and instructed drivers in off road towing.