Plug-in hybrids get plugged in more than you might think
Summary
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have both a gasoline engine and a battery. New data from Toyota shows most drivers of their PHEVs regularly plug in their cars to recharge the battery, allowing them to drive on electric power part of the time. Other car makers report similar results, suggesting PHEV owners do use the electric features more often than some critics thought.Key Facts
- Plug-in hybrids combine a gas engine and electric motor, needing to be plugged in to recharge the battery.
- Some people believed PHEV owners rarely plug in and mainly use gas.
- Toyota analyzed data from over 6,000 drivers of its RAV4 Prime and Lexus NX 450h+ models from 2021-2024.
- RAV4 Prime drivers plug in on about 70% of driving days; Lexus NX drivers plug in on 80-90% of driving days.
- Only 9% of Toyota PHEV owners and 4% of Lexus PHEV owners rarely plug in.
- BMW, Kia, and Hyundai also report most of their PHEV owners regularly charge their vehicles.
- Many other automakers with PHEVs have not shared data on how often their customers plug in.
- This data challenges the view that many PHEV owners do not use the electric battery feature.
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