Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are quickly gaining popularity in the car market, and many people are considering them for their subsequent purchases. The best thing about a PHEV is that it is a great option for venturing into the world of electric cars without entirely going into it. The truth is that although electric vehicles are here with us, they do not appeal to everyone, and PHEVs are good alternatives. If higher gas prices or the desire to drive more miles while spending less on fuel is your goal, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle may be the right one for you. This guide looks at everything you need to know about PHEVs and why you should invest in one.

What is a PHEV?

Think about a PHEV as a car that strikes a balance between the conventional petrol and diesel car and a fully electric one. As its name suggests, a PHEV is a hybrid car with a battery pack that you can plug in to charge it up. Simply put, it uses batteries to power an electric motor and gasoline to power the engine. You can recharge the battery plug-in at home or via a public charging network for electric cars.

Although PHEVs are not a new concept, they have grown in popularity in recent years, with notable models like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV being a best seller. Surprisingly a PHEV can travel further than a hybrid car on electric power, thanks to its large battery pack. Generally, the battery pack can deliver 20-30miles of electric range, but even 50miles is possible with some models.

That means you can complete most of the shorter urban journeys on electric power with a PHEV while emitting zero tailpipe emissions. The best part is that, unlike electric vehicles, you don’t have to worry about recharging the batteries to complete longer drives because the conventional gasoline engine takes over the driving after the depletion of the batteries.

But you must note that the additional battery pack is heavy; therefore, the fuel economy running on the gasoline engine may not be as good as that of a non-plug car. Some PHEV car manufacturers use a smaller than standard fuel tank to help save weight, which means you may have to refill your tank frequently between long journeys. For instance, you may have to do with 200-300miles of fuel range compared to 500miles in non-plug models.

How do PHEVs differ from fully electric cars?

We get it. There is the lure of tailpipe-free emissions and cheaper running costs with electric cars, but they are not suitable for everyone. Highly advanced electric vehicles can travel distances of 400miles or more between charges, but you still have to worry about recharging, which may take longer than a fill-up in a gas station.

Thankfully a PHEV strikes a balance between sustainable cars and the flexibility of traveling more miles for drivers. It allows you to use eco-friendly electric power while extending your mileage between trips to the gas station.

Many car owners can use electric power alone on a PHEV to drive to and from work while the gasoline engine stands in reserve for longer trips. This is because a PHEV can comfortably handle 12-30miles using electric power alone, while highly advanced models can go further. When the plug-in batteries are depleted, the gasoline engine powers up and takes over the rest of the journey. The transition from electric power to the gas engine is seamless.

Most of the PHEV models are similar to the conventional gasoline engine ones. But when you pop the hood, you find the gas engine with an electric motor beside it. You will notice a battery pack somewhere under the backseat or cargo area, but not as big as the one that powers a fully electric car.

The car also has two small doors outside, one for fuel and the other for electric charging. Besides that extra charging door, many PHEVs resemble their conventional gas-fueled counterparts. On the other hand, an electric car doesn’t have a gasoline engine, so you have to plan your trips carefully, considering your model’s charging needs.

How do you charge a PHEV?

Still, you have to put up a level 1 or 2 charger in your garage if you own an electric or PHEV car, or you can use public charging points while on the go. The good news is that you can charge a PHEV with a conventional household three-pin plug, although it is one of the slowest charging options. Depending on your car’s battery pack size, it may take five to six hours for the battery to charge fully using a 3 KW household plug.

Alternatively, you can have a 7.4kW wall charger installed in your garage, and it can complete a charge within three hours. This is the same one usually installed in many workplace car parks.

The other option is to use a random public charging point if your PHEV can charge at a higher speed. The good news is that public charging points for electric cars continue to increase in many areas making things easier.

Benefits of a PHEV

There are many reasons to consider owning a PHEV, including:

• Back-up engine: it allows traveling anywhere without needing to stop for time-consuming charges.
• Less fuel consumption: a PHEV starts in electric mode, and you may not need to use any gas during short trips.
• Lower CO2 emissions: it is a sustainable option for eco-friendly drivers who want the gas engine option for long trips only.
• Reduced road tax: a lower CO2 emission means that the tax benefits are significant, especially for company cars.
• Lower running costs: a plug-in hybrid electric car delivers high performance without the high running costs of a conventional gas-fueled vehicle. You should have no concerns if you have a reliable charging point.

The bottom line

Now you see why many people today are going for PHEVs. They strike a balance between conventional gas-fueled cars and fully electric models.