A pretty good overview of the benefits of PHEV, one of the fastest growing categories of cars in the USA today.
The tl;dr: Cheaper than EVs, takes gasoline for long-trips, are effectively electric for typical distances (~20mi to ~40mi depending on model).
However, I’d like to add that PHEVs are incredibly varied. Everyone can agree that a Prius Prime is efficient and environmental, but PHEVs like the Jeep Wrangler 4xe is incredibly inefficient. Furthermore, Jeep buyers have a reputation of not even charging the batteries!!
All in all, it seems like a good article so I feel like its worth sharing.
Really? On just 26mi all-electric range?
The big thing I hear about Jeep 4xe is 4-wheel drive, strong torque for great off-roading performance, and… well… “Jeep” things if I’m honest. It sounds like Jeep 4xe is a “great Jeep” that happens to have PHEV / Hybrid to save some amount of gasoline. But as far as Hybrid/PHEVs go, its horribly inefficient. Its range is terrible. Its reliability sucks. Etc. etc.
I know for myself, I’d only be able to use a Jeep’s EV in substantial EV-mode if I somehow got the (very few) chargers at my work every day, and charged both nightly (full charge at home) + at work. 26mi is just not enough for my daily drive. (I have to imagine most people drive more than 13mi to work each day?). But maybe that’s not the case for everyone.
Still, Jeep is so inefficient under regular use, that having any number of EV miles added on every day is of clear substantial benefit to the Jeep user. And Jeep never was an efficient brand or car, so the Jeep fans never cared about that. Instead, hearing about powerful low-end torque for optimal trekking performance is what the Jeep fanbois love to hear about.