Why a Plug-In Hybrid May Be the Right Car for You
PHEVs run on electric power for shorter drives but can switch to gas for longer trips, so you don't need to stop and recharge
If you are considering plugging into the electric vehicle revolution but worry about the potential hassles and uncertainties of charging on the road, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV, for short) could be the right car for you.
PHEVs bridge the gap between a regular hybrid and an EV. Unlike a regular hybrid, which recharges its battery using only its gas engine and brakes, a PHEV can also be plugged in to add electric-only range, usually between 20 and 40 miles. It can charge overnight from a standard household outlet, so you don’t need to purchase and install a special charger.
Once the electric range is depleted, the gas engine provides power for longer trips. If you, like a majority of Americans, tend to drive less than 40 miles a day, you could end up visiting the gas pump just a few times a year. (For more background, read The Words You Need to Know Before You Buy a Hybrid, EV, or PHEV.)
Good News About PHEVs
Concern about charging logistics, such as where and when to charge, is a primary reason people are reluctant to purchase an electric vehicle. For many car buyers, a PHEV provides most of the benefits of driving an EV without worries about how and where to charge, Fisher says.
In general, a PHEV costs less to purchase than an EV and is less pricey to fuel than gas or hybrid vehicles. Just how much you’ll save on gas depends on how often you charge your PHEV. “In most cases, the more you plug in a PHEV, the more gas and money you’ll save,” Fisher says.
While fully charging a pure EV at a conventional 120-volt outlet can take several days, charging a PHEV from a standard household outlet takes much less time. (The models we tested took an average of 14 hours to charge at a 120V outlet, but a Level 2 [240V] charger can top up the battery in just a few hours.) Most PHEVs don’t work with public DC fast chargers.
And though many lack the pin-you-to-your-seat acceleration of a pure EV, most PHEVs we tested are more satisfying to drive than the gas-only versions of the same vehicles. “Our testing clearly indicates that a PHEV version of any model is quicker and quieter than a gas-only version,” says Gabe Shenhar, associate director of CR’s Auto Test Center. Keep in mind that even with a full charge, PHEVs often engage the gas engine when it’s cold outside, when extra power is needed for acceleration on steep hills, or just to keep gas from getting stale in the tank, says Alex Knizek, manager of auto testing and insights at CR.
Guide to Powertrains
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE (ICE) vehicles are conventional cars with gas- or diesel-powered engines.
HYBRIDS pair a relatively small gasoline engine with an electric motor to provide greater fuel efficiency than most conventional cars. They can’t be plugged in.
PLUG-IN HYBRIDS (PHEVs) generally have a larger battery than regular hybrids. Unlike regular hybrids, they can travel solely on electric power at regular driving speeds, usually for 20 to 40 miles.
ELECTRIC VEHICLES (EVs) don’t have conventional engines. They’re powered by an electric motor that gets its energy from a large battery. They can usually travel over 200 miles between charges.
What's Right for You?
If you don’t have a garage or somewhere to plug in, or if you mostly drive long distances, a PHEV isn’t the right choice for you. For example, when the Hyundai Tucson PHEV is driven with an empty battery, it gets 4 fewer mpg in our tests than the hybrid version. If you never plug it in, a Tucson PHEV could cost $150 more each year on gas than if you’d bought the conventional hybrid version. As with pure EVs, highway driving and temperatures below 40° F can reduce a PHEV’s electric driving range.
Reliability can vary significantly among PHEV models, so check the CR reliability rating of any model before you buy. Many of the least dependable PHEVs are from brands that struggle with reliability in general. By contrast, auto manufacturers that usually make reliable vehicles also tend to make trustworthy PHEVs, says Steven Elek, program leader for automotive data analytics at CR. “The most reliable automakers have proved it’s possible to build a reliable PHEV, like Toyota’s Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime,” he says.
Generous federal tax credits for leasing a PHEV can add up to serious savings. For example, a well-equipped Hyundai Tucson SEL PHEV currently costs $34 per month less to lease than a base-model Hyundai Tucson Hybrid Blue, even though the rest of the lease terms are similar. If you’re trying to decide between an EV and a PHEV, fuel savings and tax credits could make leasing an EV the better choice from a financial standpoint. But you’ll still have to charge on the road.
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Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in the April 2024 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.