Are plug-in hybrids the path to fully electric vehicles, or are they a cost and complication that is not worth it? Are they something consumers demanded, or something bureaucrats and regulators created?
At least in some respects, the answer is all of the above. It’s complicated.
The higher complexity of plug-in hybrid vehicles They aim to pay off by greening the ownership experience for people who can plug in most days but can’t get an EV running due to concerns about charging on the road. They have motors and often have much larger batteries than hybrids, making them good for getting around without using gasoline but still having a long range on a tank of gas.
If you don’t charge a plug-in hybrid, it’s typically using a small portion of its battery with the motor and doing the same thing as a hybrid. And there’s a lot of debate about how often plug-in hybrid drivers actually plug in. A 2022 study from the International Council on Clean Transportation, which tapped into U.S. data sources, found that Plug-in hybrids get 25-65% fewer miles than the number recommended by the EPA on the window sticker, and a study by the European Commission determined that they pollute more than expected in real-world use. The EPA knows this and has proposed a correction factor in greenhouse gas regulations, but given the latest EPA and CAFE standards, we should see more plug-in hybrids.
Toyota Prius Prime 2024
What can you expect from the upcoming generation of plug-in hybrids? Generally, thanks to California regulations and better battery technology, they’ll offer more electric miles—potentially a lot more, in order. 50-70 miles electric for some models. Today, the Range Rover SE Plug-In Hybrid can travel 51 miles, while others can travel over 40 miles: the Toyota Prius Prime can travel 44 miles on electricity, the Toyota RAV4 Prime can travel 42 miles, and the Volvo S60 Recharge and similar V60 models can both travel 41 miles.
Future PHEVs will also aim to offer a more electric driving experience up front—meaning as long as you have some charge in the plug-in battery, the gas engine will barely get involved.
While we wait for more plug-in hybrid cars, here are New or significantly upgraded PHEV for the 2025 model year as well as models scheduled to launch before the end of this calendar year.
Honda CR-V e:FCEV 2025
Honda CR-V e:FCEV
Honda’s first plug-in hybrid for the U.S. in years is a California-only offering that doesn’t have a gasoline engine under the hood. Instead, a 92.2-kW hydrogen fuel cell replaces the motor and generator in the Honda CR-V e:FCEV 2025produces electricity to help keep the large 14 kwh battery charged and supplied 174 horsepower and 229 lb-ft torque to the front wheels. You can also plug in the e:FCEV and drive it 29 miles on full charge—and considering the hydrogen supply isn’t entirely reliable, it’s actually a good backup solution.
Hyundai Tucson 2023 Plug-In Hybrid
Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson 2025 Plug-In Hybrid The Tucson gets a sharper face, standard all-wheel drive, and a new infotainment screen inspired by the Ioniq 6 EV’s interior, all part of a comprehensive update for the entire Tucson lineup this year.
Overall there are enough changes to make it onto this list, however the car’s plug-in hybrid powertrain remains unchanged, with a 72kW electric motor that doesn’t allow the car to run on pure electric power all the time, even with a fully charged 13.8kW battery pack. 33 miles electric. A 7.2-kwh onboard charger means the car can be fully charged in less than two hours using a Level 2 home charger, the car’s powertrain produces a total of 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque and gets 35 mpg away from a plug-in outlet.
Jeep Gladiator 2024
Jeep Gladiator 4xe
The US market is lacking in plug-in hybrid trucks and it’s a surprise to see Jeep be the first. Gladiator Plug-in Hybrid has been confirmed for a 2025 launch, with full details to come later this year. At the very least, let’s take a look at the specs for the Wrangler 4xe, which has a 17.0-kwh battery pack that provides 21 miles of electric range. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and electric motor system, which produce a combined 375 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, prove that off-road capability won’t be lost.
Ram 1500 Charger Ram 2025
Ram 1500 Charger
Upcoming Ram 1500 Charger Ram 2025 by our definition, a plug-in hybrid. Because to get the most out of this truck, with its “unlimited range on a class-breaking battery,” as the brand so dramatically puts it, you’ll need a full tank of gas.
However, it is very different. Ramcharger will be one of the first products on the market. plug-in hybrid car—meaning there will be no mechanical connection between the motor and the drive wheels. With a 92-kwh battery pack, the truck can travel 145 miles on battery power alone, followed by another 545 miles with the gas engine running as a generator, effectively acting as a range extender. The dual-motor powertrain that drives the truck with all-wheel drive will produce a total of 663 horsepower and 619 lb-ft and, according to Ram, will be fully capable of extended-range duty.
Ram has said the Ram 1500 Ramcharger will be a 2025 model, but it’s coming later. Ram 1500 REV goes all-electric is scheduled to launch in the fourth quarter of this year—so the Ramcharger is expected to hit dealerships in early 2025.
2023 Jeep Grand Wagoneer L
Jeep Wagoneer 4xe
Jeep confirmed this spring that it will add Wagoneer 4xe and Grand Wagoneer 4xe plug-in hybrids in 2025—unconfirmed whether for the 2025 or 2026 model year—with a similar version “range-extended” plug-in hybrid system used in the Ramcharger. With the sophistication of fully electric motor control at the wheels, it is possible to enhance the four-wheel drive capabilities of these large SUVs.
