Unlock adventure with a plug-in hybrid EV

Transitioning to an electric vehicle doesn’t have to be all or nothing. A plug-in hybrid EV can offer lots of benefits when you’re on the road – and even help power your home

Excited about the electric vehicle (EV) future but uncertain about committing to a fully electric car? Hybrids have served this transition space for many years. And within the hybrid category you’ll find different options.

The CSIRO forecasts that, under a rapid decarbonisation pathway, 97% of all light passenger vehicles will be EVs by 2050. EVs can offer lower maintenance and driving costs, and some can unleash their stored energy for wider usage.

While the traditional hybrid has a small EV battery alongside its internal combustion engine (ICE), charged only by the ICE and regenerative braking, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) has a larger battery that can be charged using standard EV charging solutions, enabling short-to medium-range pure EV driving.

PHEV designs vary in how they deploy the ICE; it might be used to recharge the battery or only used at higher driving speeds. Generally, in a PHEV you’ll do far more driving on the EV motor and greatly reduce the time (and money) you spend on fuel.

The plug-in hybrid advantage

A PHEV can be an ideal choice for drivers who want the backup of an ICE for longer stints away from home while still enjoying the benefits of an EV.

“There are definitely advantages and it depends on your use case, where you live, and how you’re using your vehicle,” says Kate Cavanagh, the CSIRO transport electrification team leader. “This generation of EVs and PHEVs have longer range and better towing capacity as well. You can get more out of your vehicle experience.”

The Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV has an 84km pure EV driving range, one of the longer PHEV ranges on the market.

“A plug-in hybrid still has a very large battery within the vehicle and the Mitsubishi Outlander has vehicle-to-grid capabilities, so with the right charger you can use bidirectional energy flow to charge appliances or even feed back into your home.”

This energy storage for whenever or wherever you need it can be a boon for anyone looking to enjoy new kinds of adventure on the road.

“The bidirectional capability of certain EVs and PHEVs enables you to use the car as more than a vehicle,” Cavanagh says.

The battery in the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV is 20kWh in size, which is three to four times the size of the 5kWh or 7kWh batteries many homeowners are adding to the solar on their homes. And thanks to its vehicle to grid (V2G) support, this vehicle battery can be used in the same way as one of those home batteries, if you have the right charger installed at your home. The first V2G chargers approved for use in Australia are expected to be available this year.

“It can work out cheaper to have a 20kWh battery in your vehicle than some stationary batteries installed on the home,” Cavanagh says. “So you get your battery and your transport for dual use as well.”

Getting the most from your PHEV battery

If you’re heading further afield, it’s important to know how to get the most from your PHEV battery to maximise your fun.

“It’s a lot like your mobile phone in terms of preserving battery,” Cavanagh says. “So when you’re driving, if you can limit your use of air conditioning on full, don’t have the music pumping too hard, and you’re not driving like a hoon, you will save battery and get longer distance.

“And while fast charging is convenient, it is better for the battery for that slow charge at home or on a 7kW public charger. This will preserve battery life for the long term.”

By managing battery capacity carefully, drivers can go further and power those appliances longer when they’re off on adventures. In the transition to EVs, PHEV options such as the Mitsubishi Outlander can offer the best of both worlds.