Plug-in hybrid technology continues to be something that neither the automaker nor the regulator can fully agree on.
Some, like Toyota, Volvo, BMW and others see them as smart, efficient bridging technologies with electric vehicles while others, including GM and Honda, see them, at least for now. in the US, as an unnecessary complication in the transition to electric vehicles.
In the light of proposal EPA vehicle pollution rules revealed earlier in the week, PHEV is not going away. But as the US Department of Energy recently emphasized, automakers are not increasing the number of PHEV options.
When looking at light vehicles, the DOE found that the number of EV models surpassed the number of plug-in hybrids for the first time since 2014—increasing from 20 to 38 different models in just one year. And compared to a year earlier, the number of PHEV models has decreased in 2022.
Model Number EV and PHEV – US DOE
The DOE says that when calculating the number of models, it only counts each model name once, even though there are multiple configurations for some of them.
In terms of sales, EVs have outpaced PHEVs for some time—since about 2018. By the end of 2022, EVs account for about 6% of the U.S. market while PHEVs account for just over 1%.
EPA’s 2027-2032 vehicle emissions proposal continues to emphasize plug-in hybrid vehicles, along with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, as part of its roadmaps. alternative for automakers to comply with as part of a “technology-neutral” approach. California’s Advanced Clean Motor Vehicles II (ACCII) rules, effective beginning 2026, will provide the equivalent of 50 miles of real-world electric range in plug-in hybrid.
While automakers and regulators have promoted plug-in hybrids as part of a solution to stricter emissions standards, there has long been controversy about the practical impact of hybrids. plugged in and to what extent the owner actually plugged in. by the European environmental group Transport & Environment (T&E) has found that some plug-in hybrid vehicles emit many times their official reviews CO2 in real-world use, with gasoline modes turned on more often than specified by car manufacturers.
Volvo XC60 2022
Volvo has accelerate its plug-in hybrid offerings—in terms of sales and electric reach—as it ramps up its electric vehicle offering. Toyota announced earlier this month that it plans to push plug-in hybrid electric range up to 125 miles and more (more than 200 km). And Volkswagen recently mentioned plug-in hybrid as a real US possibility for the first time since the diesel scandal and led to the promotion of electric vehicles.
Part of the market stagnation may have to do with the fact that in the meantime, specifications for plug-in hybrids are not evolving as expected. While some of these models accelerate faster than gas-only models, they don’t retain the electric experience when owners remember to charge.
Will the new regulations once again increase the number of PHEVs over the next few years—perhaps re-calibrated with more gasoline engines as range extenders? That remains to be seen, especially if it helps to sell more electric vehicles in the future.
