Pros and cons of plug-in hybrid cars: Do they make sense?

Plug-in hybrid cars were intended to be a stepping stone between petrol cars and electric vehicles, to eliminate range anxiety.

The pitch: when the battery runs flat after the first 50km or so on electric power, the petrol engine takes over for a further 400km or more.

It sounds like a brilliant solution, but sales data shows new-car buyers are leapfrogging this technology and going straight to an electric car.

Here’s why.

For a plug-in hybrid to make sense, owners need to be diligent and charge the vehicle at work or at home within that 50km range – and only use petrol power on weekends or long drives.

However, new-car shoppers have quickly figured out if they have the diligence – and ability – to top-up the PHEV battery pack within 50km, then they may as well go for a fully electric car.

That’s why the sales stats look like this:

How plug-in hybrid car sales in Australia compare so far this year:

• Petrol: 222,000 (down 5 per cent), 43 per cent of customer demand
• Diesel: 157,000 (up 13 per cent), 30 per cent of customer demand
• Hybrid: 66,400 (up 126 per cent), 13 per cent of customer demand
• Electric: 40,600 (up 26 per cent), 8 per cent of customer demand
• Plug-in hybrid: 6000 (up 118 per cent), 1.2 per cent of customer demand

Source: Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, new vehicle sales January to May 2024 (compared to same period prior year).

Is plug-in hybrid technology a passing trend, or has it already reached a dead-end?

The car industry is not giving up on PHEVs just yet.

In fact, most big brands are about to double-down on the technology.

That’s because strict emissions standards will force car companies to introduce more PHEVs if they are to get their fleet emissions down – while still selling petrol-powered cars.

The big change expected to come to future plug-in hybrids: more electric driving range.

The latest thinking is a battery pack big enough to last 100km or so on electric motor power, before a petrol engine kicks in and adds 400km or more.

Chinese car giant BYD has just released a plug-in hybrid SUV – the Sealion 6 (pictured below) with 100km of electric range and 800km of petrol range – and more brands are developing vehicles with the promise of similar technology.

Pros and cons of today’s plug-in hybrid cars:

The main drawback of PHEVs: you are always carrying a power source you are not using, which weighs the car down.

When running on electric power, the petrol tank and petrol engine are dormant.

When running on petrol power, the battery pack and electric motor are largely dormant (unless you floor the throttle).

PHEVs make the most sense if you can keep them charged with electricity.

However, if you can keep them charged with electricity, many buyers have figured they may as well go all the way and switch to a fully electric car.

EFTM’s hot take:

If today’s plug-in hybrid cars make sense to you – and you have the diligence to keep them topped-up with electricity – we say go for it.

If you’re interested in plug-in hybrid cars but are not in a hurry, perhaps pump the brakes because a broader choice of PHEVs with longer electric range should be coming in the next few years.

If you’re deciding whether to buy a PHEV or a fully electric car, we say take the leap – as long as you have off-street parking, access to charging at work, or a nearby network of electric-car chargers.

This advice is general in nature and not legal advice. Please consult your other half before making this decision.