The failure of a “charged” idea: Why do plug-in hybrid owners ignore the outlet?
The other day, a lively discussion about the future of hybrid technologies took place on the Kyiv Morning Show on Kyiv FM radio (98.0 FM). Host Taras Kobzar and co-founder of the Institute for Automotive Research Ostap Novytskyi examined why the concept of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) often fails to withstand the test of reality and whether they have the “soul” that Jeremy Clarkson was looking for. For those who prefer a live format, a recording of the conversation is available at the links below, and we have collected the key theses and analytical conclusions in this material.
Advertising brochures promise 40, 60 or even 80 kilometers on pure electricity. In theory, this is enough for the average home-work-home route. In practice, however, the “electric dream” often breaks at the first traffic light.
Why does this happen?
- A hybrid is not always an electric car. Any sharp acceleration, steep climb, or climate control operation forces the system to start the internal combustion engine. A hybrid works according to the algorithm of maximum efficiency, where electricity is only an assistant, not the only source of power.
- Weight tax. On the highway, a plug-in hybrid turns into a regular gasoline car, which is forced to pull “dead weight” — a heavy battery and electric motors (an additional 200-300 kg). As a result, fuel consumption at high speeds can be even higher than that of a pure internal combustion engine.
"Dead Cable": The Human Factor
Recent statements from General Motors management have confirmed what analysts have observed for years: a huge portion of PHEV owners do not charge their cars from the network at all.
The reason is simple — the lack of a “home outlet” culture. If the owner does not have his own parking space with available electricity, public charging becomes a burden. When the cost of a kilowatt at fast stations approaches the cost of gasoline, and the process takes hours — the point of “playing with electricity” disappears. The user simply chooses the convenience of a gas station in 5 minutes.
Local ecology: The principle of "open fire"
Is there any point in hybrids if they still burn fuel? Yes, if weʼre talking about local ecology.
At one time, humanity switched from heating yurts with an open fire to central heating. The boiler smokes somewhere outside the city, and at home you have a clean battery. Electric cars and hybrids in EV mode work the same way: they carry the "smoke" outside densely populated neighborhoods. In a metropolis like Kyiv or Paris, every kilometer traveled on electricity between houses is a direct contribution to the health of residents.
Economics: Mathematics for Pragmatists
In Ukraine, economy always comes first. A hybrid makes sense in the urban "start-stop" cycle, where recuperation allows you to fit in 5-6 liters per 100 km even for large sedans (such as the Ford Fusion or the Toyota RAV4 SUV). A similar car without a hybrid installation will easily "drink" 15 liters in Kiev traffic jams.
Buyerʼs Verdict:
- Do you have your own power outlet at home? A plug-in hybrid will be the perfect training ground for you before switching to full electric.
- Do you live in a high-rise building without parking? Choose a conventional hybrid (HEV). You will save money through recuperation without being held hostage to a charging cable.
Switching to electric traction is not a hardware change, itʼs a mindset change. Itʼs like switching from Windows to macOS: at first itʼs unusual, but after two weeks you donʼt understand how you lived differently.
