PHEV cars rarely Charged and run on Petrol
Discussion
Seems to apply to Company Bought PHEV's mainly. I have to ask what they thought would happen? It's a Tax dodge for the company and the employee nothing more. The company can't be bothered to fit Charging points and the employee has no incentive either. Result it runs around all day on Petrol except for a few minutes where the charge created by the engine kicks in. Sort of makes them crappy second hand buys as well. How many of the batteries will be working properly after 3 years.
Couldn't agree more.
I'm in this situation and have had a company PHEV for a couple of years.
Never gets charged (even if it does, the range in real life driving is about 17 miles) so it's a near 2 tonne, underpowered petrol SUV which actually does around 25-28 mpg and as it only has a 10 gallon tank, the real range is about 250 miles.
Despite owning a few 'Pistonheads' type cars, I have never had a car which (especially when I 1st had it) has attracted more questions from the general public who consider it to be the 'perfect car' for them. Tell them if they do get one to lease it - would hate to know the cost to replace the batteries in a few years time. I'm sure it will be almost the same as the value of the car.....!
As a company car, though they make a lot of sense.......
I'm in this situation and have had a company PHEV for a couple of years.
Never gets charged (even if it does, the range in real life driving is about 17 miles) so it's a near 2 tonne, underpowered petrol SUV which actually does around 25-28 mpg and as it only has a 10 gallon tank, the real range is about 250 miles.
Despite owning a few 'Pistonheads' type cars, I have never had a car which (especially when I 1st had it) has attracted more questions from the general public who consider it to be the 'perfect car' for them. Tell them if they do get one to lease it - would hate to know the cost to replace the batteries in a few years time. I'm sure it will be almost the same as the value of the car.....!
As a company car, though they make a lot of sense.......
Jag_NE said:
I know people who ran/run outlander phevs as company cars. Nobody charges them, ever, as they have fuel cards. The tax Hmrc lost due to the incentives was recouped at the pump as people were getting 25mpg versus double that in a diesel. Horrible cars all round.
Totally agree. Probably an unpopular/controversial opinion, but diesel's just make so much more sense.Jag_NE said:
I know people who ran/run outlander phevs as company cars. Nobody charges them, ever, as they have fuel cards. The tax Hmrc lost due to the incentives was recouped at the pump as people were getting 25mpg versus double that in a diesel. Horrible cars all round.
So they're horrible because they were misused 
herewego said:
All those not achieving 140mpg should have the grants and tax breaks recovered.
It's not such a bad thing tbf - if businesses lease them en-mass, then the 2nd hand market is flooded with them, there will be more availability for the average public. It's one of the obstacles in EV/PHEV cars, due to high from-new costs, so there's arguably a positive despite the misuse.cj2013 said:
herewego said:
All those not achieving 140mpg should have the grants and tax breaks recovered.
It's not such a bad thing tbf - if businesses lease them en-mass, then the 2nd hand market is flooded with them, there will be more availability for the average public. It's one of the obstacles in EV/PHEV cars, due to high from-new costs, so there's arguably a positive despite the misuse.REALIST123 said:
I can’t think of a good reason why ‘the average public’ as you so condescendingly put it
Are you menstruating, or always sensitive to a hyperbolic level?REALIST123 said:
, would be interested in one of the types of PHEV we’re talking about. It’s very well established that their major advantage is low BIK rates. There’s little else to recommend them for most users and even less as they age.
Then I suggest you do some research. Maybe speakev.com? Hundreds of very satisfied owners on there alone who bought used.They are a 20-40 mile EV with a range extender, which is basically perfect for the average user (unless of course you think the concept of an average user is somehow condescending?)
cj2013 said:
Jag_NE said:
I know people who ran/run outlander phevs as company cars. Nobody charges them, ever, as they have fuel cards. The tax Hmrc lost due to the incentives was recouped at the pump as people were getting 25mpg versus double that in a diesel. Horrible cars all round.
So they're horrible because they were misused caelite said:
Yes, just like the folks who bought diesels to do their 5 mile commute into the city. Different manners of engines serve different purposes, a standard simple petrol being the most versatile.
The Outlander is better than a 'simple petrol' engine though, as it is one which powers a generator. Arguably far simpler technology.Regardless, a mis-used car doesn't make that car horrible. It's still a function 4WD SUV that can do pretty much anything you'd want from a car - capable off road, plenty of tech, seats 5 adults plus lots of storage, EV around town but isn't stifled by range anxiety.
It's even more baffling when you compare it to the GX400h, which is just an older inferior version of it (yet gets a good love-in on here).
cj2013 said:
Jag_NE said:
I know people who ran/run outlander phevs as company cars. Nobody charges them, ever, as they have fuel cards. The tax Hmrc lost due to the incentives was recouped at the pump as people were getting 25mpg versus double that in a diesel. Horrible cars all round.
So they're horrible because they were misused cj2013 said:
You seem to be quite bothered by them. I've heard nothing but glowing reports from everyone who owns one. Most dealers sell them as soon as they arrive, too.
Indeed, we have one. It's 4 years old, it was £14k. It gets my wife to work and most of the way back without using fuel. The battery has 98% of its original capacity (measured it before we bought it). I think for that money it's a perfectly nice place to be. It's pretty relaxing on long journeys, I wouldn't say its underpowered either. It's just not quick. Seems well screwed together too.
We get between 35 and 40mpg when the battery is flat. If you're getting 25mpg your driving like a pleb or you're being willfully inaccurate.
In the flipside I would say I may feel a bit different if I'd bought a new one. I guess they're about £30k new? There's probably better EVs out there for that now that have the range not to need the engine.
Not all are used incorrectly. My BIL has a Passat GTE company car and has become quite a fuel consumption geek. His commute is 26km each way, the office has charging stations, and he has one at home. Charges overnight at home, charges at work, then charges again at home, etc... He goes months without refuelling sometimes and recently bragged that he’s heading for a +2000km tank.
I’d imagine if he was a sales rep that it might be a bit different, he’s the first to admit that it’s way less efficient on the motorway than his previous diesel model.
I’d imagine if he was a sales rep that it might be a bit different, he’s the first to admit that it’s way less efficient on the motorway than his previous diesel model.
Hardly surprising given how the UK tax system is setup.
I bought a 2014 outlander phev and as it's my money I charge it every night.
Current tank of fuel has seen me cover 2300km with 40% left and that's only 35L total.
Less than 1L/100km
They are not the right car for everyone but when they are they work well.
I bought a 2014 outlander phev and as it's my money I charge it every night.
Current tank of fuel has seen me cover 2300km with 40% left and that's only 35L total.
Less than 1L/100km
They are not the right car for everyone but when they are they work well.
Merry said:
Indeed, we have one. It's 4 years old, it was £14k. It gets my wife to work and most of the way back without using fuel. The battery has 98% of its original capacity (measured it before we bought it).
I think for that money it's a perfectly nice place to be. It's pretty relaxing on long journeys, I wouldn't say its underpowered either. It's just not quick. Seems well screwed together too.
We get between 35 and 40mpg when the battery is flat. If you're getting 25mpg your driving like a pleb or you're being willfully inaccurate.
In the flipside I would say I may feel a bit different if I'd bought a new one. I guess they're about £30k new? There's probably better EVs out there for that now that have the range not to need the engine.
I think the 65 plate onwards are better looking, but they didn't significantly improve the hybrid aspect. I think for that money it's a perfectly nice place to be. It's pretty relaxing on long journeys, I wouldn't say its underpowered either. It's just not quick. Seems well screwed together too.
We get between 35 and 40mpg when the battery is flat. If you're getting 25mpg your driving like a pleb or you're being willfully inaccurate.
In the flipside I would say I may feel a bit different if I'd bought a new one. I guess they're about £30k new? There's probably better EVs out there for that now that have the range not to need the engine.
As per my previous, for the average public user they offer good VFM at £8k-£14k (depending on miles, spec, condition). If the company car users buy them where the public weren't willing to, then leave them for private owners to get use out of, it's a pretty good way of encouraging non-new/lease owners to switch to something more usable than a 24kw Zoe.
WRT new now, as you say there seem to be better options now that range has improved on BEVs
Merry said:
We get between 35 and 40mpg when the battery is flat. If you're getting 25mpg your driving like a pleb or you're being willfully inaccurate.
I guess they're about £30k new? .
One with a spec that's worth having (ie not the bottom of the range) is over £40k new and I really do get 25-28 mpg average as I do a lot of driving in Central London and motorways (without "driving like a pleb or being wilfully inaccurate"....).I guess they're about £30k new? .
As I said, they make great company cars, or if you happen to do fewer than 17-18 miles before you have somewhere to charge it.
It isn't a bad car at all, it's just not the 140+ mpg car that the advertising claims it to be when driving in real world conditions....
cj2013 said:
REALIST123 said:
I can’t think of a good reason why ‘the average public’ as you so condescendingly put it
Are you menstruating, or always sensitive to a hyperbolic level?REALIST123 said:
, would be interested in one of the types of PHEV we’re talking about. It’s very well established that their major advantage is low BIK rates. There’s little else to recommend them for most users and even less as they age.
Then I suggest you do some research. Maybe speakev.com? Hundreds of very satisfied owners on there alone who bought used.They are a 20-40 mile EV with a range extender, which is basically perfect for the average user (unless of course you think the concept of an average user is somehow condescending?)
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