Plugin hybrids - electrical only range?
Discussion
Hello guys,
I've tried searching for information on this topic - but haven't had much luck. So, any help would be appreciated.
Which older plugin hybrids (or regular hybrids) allow the possibility of driving on electricity alone?
In particular, is it feasible to do a daily commute (20 miles) on electricity alone (reliably) using an older plugin hybrid vehicle?
I've tried searching for information on this topic - but haven't had much luck. So, any help would be appreciated.
Which older plugin hybrids (or regular hybrids) allow the possibility of driving on electricity alone?
In particular, is it feasible to do a daily commute (20 miles) on electricity alone (reliably) using an older plugin hybrid vehicle?
2016 Golf GTE here, doing 27 mile each way commute. 24.5 of that is on the motorway but with typical traffic I’m getting 19-23 miles on a charge.
I then charge at work so same on the way back so 43 miles minimum out of a 54 commute (averaging 93mpg over the last 1,100 miles)
Hyundai Ionic best for plug-in range if you can find one, Outlander under 20 unless urban or less than 50mph, merc & bmw mid-high teens
I then charge at work so same on the way back so 43 miles minimum out of a 54 commute (averaging 93mpg over the last 1,100 miles)
Hyundai Ionic best for plug-in range if you can find one, Outlander under 20 unless urban or less than 50mph, merc & bmw mid-high teens
A Vauxhall Ampera or Chevrolet Volt will cream this.
It's pretty much your only option to do this commute year round.
And they're under £10k now.
Probably the best plug in hybrid ever, very sad it was such a low seller and got cancelled, it was ahead of its time. Some users report 50 miles easily on a single charge. They don't suffer battery degradation either.
I've got a Nissan Leaf and sometimes think I'd have been better off with an Ampera.
If you're in a 2 car household, seriously look at a used Nissan Leaf though. I use mine as a daily commuter, and then use our ordinary ICE car for any long journeys. I have driven 24k miles in 2 years in my Leaf, and spent about £250 charging it in that time, as I mostly charge at work. It can do up to 100 miles on a charge, and about 80 in winter.
It's pretty much your only option to do this commute year round.
And they're under £10k now.
Probably the best plug in hybrid ever, very sad it was such a low seller and got cancelled, it was ahead of its time. Some users report 50 miles easily on a single charge. They don't suffer battery degradation either.
I've got a Nissan Leaf and sometimes think I'd have been better off with an Ampera.
If you're in a 2 car household, seriously look at a used Nissan Leaf though. I use mine as a daily commuter, and then use our ordinary ICE car for any long journeys. I have driven 24k miles in 2 years in my Leaf, and spent about £250 charging it in that time, as I mostly charge at work. It can do up to 100 miles on a charge, and about 80 in winter.
Tricky unless speeds are very slow IMO. My Golf GTE will make it into central London and back (21 miles round trip), in mild weather with no heating/AC - but it's a very slow journey that suits it. Higher speeds mean lower efficiency - more energy needed to push through the air - and less range.
The problem is that they either have an inefficient electric heater (like the GTE) which just drains the battery all the time it's on, or in some cases they have a conventional heating setup that needs the engine running to provide heat. Most full battery electric cars have a more efficient heat pump instead that doesn't hit the battery anywhere near as much.
If you have the former, you can help a bit by preheating before you leave if the car supports it (the GTE does), or by using heated seats instead.
Doesn't necessarily mean they're a bad solution - a mate was doing 25 miles each way (charging at work) in a Golf GTE and getting frustrated at still using a bit of fuel. It's still way less than a conventional petrol or diesel would have used, particularly as so much of it was in heavy traffic. Even with the electric used it was the equivalent of 140mpg.
Things like the Vauxhall Ampera get lumped in with other PHEVs but they'll easily do 35+ miles on electric then have a petrol engine to help on longer trips. BMW i3 with the range extender is worth a look too.
The problem is that they either have an inefficient electric heater (like the GTE) which just drains the battery all the time it's on, or in some cases they have a conventional heating setup that needs the engine running to provide heat. Most full battery electric cars have a more efficient heat pump instead that doesn't hit the battery anywhere near as much.
If you have the former, you can help a bit by preheating before you leave if the car supports it (the GTE does), or by using heated seats instead.
Doesn't necessarily mean they're a bad solution - a mate was doing 25 miles each way (charging at work) in a Golf GTE and getting frustrated at still using a bit of fuel. It's still way less than a conventional petrol or diesel would have used, particularly as so much of it was in heavy traffic. Even with the electric used it was the equivalent of 140mpg.
Things like the Vauxhall Ampera get lumped in with other PHEVs but they'll easily do 35+ miles on electric then have a petrol engine to help on longer trips. BMW i3 with the range extender is worth a look too.
Standalone range on some is not great. I've got a C350e and I'd be lucky to do 12 miles on electric only. But that's not what they are there for. It's the combined use of ICE and electric which means in the last 10,000 miles over half has been done without the engine on because the powertrain switches between the two and allows "recharging" as you drive along via coasting and braking. Uphills and cold weather screw the electric only range!
I wouldn't get too obsessed with trying to drive a PHEV purely on battery everywhere. If that is your main aim then you're better off with a BEV.
Look at a PHEV as an MPG improver with the added benefit of things like pre heat/cool, free parking (in certain places) etc. As long as you're able to charge at a cheap enough rate, the running costs will be lower than an ICE car even if you use the ICE in your PHEV all the time (and drive sensibly!)
Look at a PHEV as an MPG improver with the added benefit of things like pre heat/cool, free parking (in certain places) etc. As long as you're able to charge at a cheap enough rate, the running costs will be lower than an ICE car even if you use the ICE in your PHEV all the time (and drive sensibly!)
Let me add a bit more information to my original query.
We are a one family car household (i do have separate toys). I mainly drive the vehicle to work on a daily basis. It's also used for airport runs and trips with the family. So, at least 5 seats required. I believe the ampera is a 4 seater?
I can charge my car at work for free. Traffic into work is usually slower in the morning than coming home in the afternoon - this is a mixture of a few miles on an A road, plus village rat runs. This journey can be 10 miles, up to 13 miles one way depending on the route I take to avoid any traffic issues.
Ideally, we would like an SUV as we need the space. Outlander PHEV is what we're currently considering.
We are a one family car household (i do have separate toys). I mainly drive the vehicle to work on a daily basis. It's also used for airport runs and trips with the family. So, at least 5 seats required. I believe the ampera is a 4 seater?
I can charge my car at work for free. Traffic into work is usually slower in the morning than coming home in the afternoon - this is a mixture of a few miles on an A road, plus village rat runs. This journey can be 10 miles, up to 13 miles one way depending on the route I take to avoid any traffic issues.
Ideally, we would like an SUV as we need the space. Outlander PHEV is what we're currently considering.
Yeah, the 4 seat thing about the Ampera is a massive shame. Puts me off having one as our second car in support of the Leaf.
Outlander probably your best bet then, unless you can stretch to a C350e estate. I've test driven an Outlander and didn't like it because it's so underpowered.
Outlander probably your best bet then, unless you can stretch to a C350e estate. I've test driven an Outlander and didn't like it because it's so underpowered.
Edited by ElectricSoup on Thursday 26th September 10:52
aleksboch said:
Let me add a bit more information to my original query.
We are a one family car household (i do have separate toys). I mainly drive the vehicle to work on a daily basis. It's also used for airport runs and trips with the family. So, at least 5 seats required. I believe the ampera is a 4 seater?
I can charge my car at work for free. Traffic into work is usually slower in the morning than coming home in the afternoon - this is a mixture of a few miles on an A road, plus village rat runs. This journey can be 10 miles, up to 13 miles one way depending on the route I take to avoid any traffic issues.
Ideally, we would like an SUV as we need the space. Outlander PHEV is what we're currently considering.
Charging at work for free is very handy. You only need a 10 - 13 mile range in that case. Outlanders are very popular for the reasons you describe - family friendly, easy for trundling along in a busy commute. They are no great shakes dynamically but that's not why you are buying one. They are only 5 seats as the batteries are where the 6th and 7th seats go in the normal ones.We are a one family car household (i do have separate toys). I mainly drive the vehicle to work on a daily basis. It's also used for airport runs and trips with the family. So, at least 5 seats required. I believe the ampera is a 4 seater?
I can charge my car at work for free. Traffic into work is usually slower in the morning than coming home in the afternoon - this is a mixture of a few miles on an A road, plus village rat runs. This journey can be 10 miles, up to 13 miles one way depending on the route I take to avoid any traffic issues.
Ideally, we would like an SUV as we need the space. Outlander PHEV is what we're currently considering.
ElectricSoup said:
A Vauxhall Ampera or Chevrolet Volt will cream this.
It's pretty much your only option to do this commute year round.
And they're under £10k now.
Probably the best plug in hybrid ever, very sad it was such a low seller and got cancelled, it was ahead of its time. Some users report 50 miles easily on a single charge. They don't suffer battery degradation either.
I've got a Nissan Leaf and sometimes think I'd have been better off with an Ampera.
If you're in a 2 car household, seriously look at a used Nissan Leaf though. I use mine as a daily commuter, and then use our ordinary ICE car for any long journeys. I have driven 24k miles in 2 years in my Leaf, and spent about £250 charging it in that time, as I mostly charge at work. It can do up to 100 miles on a charge, and about 80 in winter.
The Volt is a great car....it seems quite typical of the american OEMS. If you leave the engineers to it, they can produce some amazing things. But then the bean counters get in. It such a shame we never got the mk2 Volt here, thats even better!It's pretty much your only option to do this commute year round.
And they're under £10k now.
Probably the best plug in hybrid ever, very sad it was such a low seller and got cancelled, it was ahead of its time. Some users report 50 miles easily on a single charge. They don't suffer battery degradation either.
I've got a Nissan Leaf and sometimes think I'd have been better off with an Ampera.
If you're in a 2 car household, seriously look at a used Nissan Leaf though. I use mine as a daily commuter, and then use our ordinary ICE car for any long journeys. I have driven 24k miles in 2 years in my Leaf, and spent about £250 charging it in that time, as I mostly charge at work. It can do up to 100 miles on a charge, and about 80 in winter.
The difference with the Volt compared to many other PHEVs is that it is ostensibly an EV. Proper battery pack that is sized to minimise degradation and has proper thermal management, proper motor that provides all the motive power, it just has an engine to keep you going on longer trips. The ICE never drives the wheels (except in extreme power demand cases, though I have never been able to confirm that).
Edited by Otispunkmeyer on Thursday 26th September 10:54
Otispunkmeyer said:
The difference with the Volt compared to many other PHEVs is that it is ostensibly an EV. Proper battery pack that is sized to minimise degradation and has proper thermal management, proper motor that provides all the motive power, it just has an engine to keep you going on longer trips. The ICE never drives the wheels (except in extreme power demand cases, though I have never been able to confirm that).
That's interesting, I didn't know that. The ICE is a big range extender on them?RicksAlfas said:
Otispunkmeyer said:
The difference with the Volt compared to many other PHEVs is that it is ostensibly an EV. Proper battery pack that is sized to minimise degradation and has proper thermal management, proper motor that provides all the motive power, it just has an engine to keep you going on longer trips. The ICE never drives the wheels (except in extreme power demand cases, though I have never been able to confirm that).
That's interesting, I didn't know that. The ICE is a big range extender on them?Interesting to read these replies (and sorry for slight thread hijack)
I'm looking at a RRS P400e currently on good lease deals. I live 6 miles from work, and have read that it has a real world electric only range of about 20 miles. I'm guessing that in pure EV mode I should comfortably make it to work and back without needing the petrol motor at all, unless I need to floor it on a slip road or similar.
The first 2/3 miles of my commute are 40mph limit and a bit of queuing, then onto an NSL dual carriageway for about 3 miles where realistically I'd want to be doing 70-80, then bumper to bumper for the last mile or two. Does this sound reasonable to do on battery only, twice a day?
I'm looking at a RRS P400e currently on good lease deals. I live 6 miles from work, and have read that it has a real world electric only range of about 20 miles. I'm guessing that in pure EV mode I should comfortably make it to work and back without needing the petrol motor at all, unless I need to floor it on a slip road or similar.
The first 2/3 miles of my commute are 40mph limit and a bit of queuing, then onto an NSL dual carriageway for about 3 miles where realistically I'd want to be doing 70-80, then bumper to bumper for the last mile or two. Does this sound reasonable to do on battery only, twice a day?
Shrimpvende said:
Interesting to read these replies (and sorry for slight thread hijack)
I'm looking at a RRS P400e currently on good lease deals. I live 6 miles from work, and have read that it has a real world electric only range of about 20 miles. I'm guessing that in pure EV mode I should comfortably make it to work and back without needing the petrol motor at all, unless I need to floor it on a slip road or similar.
The first 2/3 miles of my commute are 40mph limit and a bit of queuing, then onto an NSL dual carriageway for about 3 miles where realistically I'd want to be doing 70-80, then bumper to bumper for the last mile or two. Does this sound reasonable to do on battery only, twice a day?
You probably won't hit 70-80 on electric only, or if you do you will have got there very slowly.I'm looking at a RRS P400e currently on good lease deals. I live 6 miles from work, and have read that it has a real world electric only range of about 20 miles. I'm guessing that in pure EV mode I should comfortably make it to work and back without needing the petrol motor at all, unless I need to floor it on a slip road or similar.
The first 2/3 miles of my commute are 40mph limit and a bit of queuing, then onto an NSL dual carriageway for about 3 miles where realistically I'd want to be doing 70-80, then bumper to bumper for the last mile or two. Does this sound reasonable to do on battery only, twice a day?
RicksAlfas said:
Shrimpvende said:
Interesting to read these replies (and sorry for slight thread hijack)
I'm looking at a RRS P400e currently on good lease deals. I live 6 miles from work, and have read that it has a real world electric only range of about 20 miles. I'm guessing that in pure EV mode I should comfortably make it to work and back without needing the petrol motor at all, unless I need to floor it on a slip road or similar.
The first 2/3 miles of my commute are 40mph limit and a bit of queuing, then onto an NSL dual carriageway for about 3 miles where realistically I'd want to be doing 70-80, then bumper to bumper for the last mile or two. Does this sound reasonable to do on battery only, twice a day?
You probably won't hit 70-80 on electric only, or if you do you will have got there very slowly.I'm looking at a RRS P400e currently on good lease deals. I live 6 miles from work, and have read that it has a real world electric only range of about 20 miles. I'm guessing that in pure EV mode I should comfortably make it to work and back without needing the petrol motor at all, unless I need to floor it on a slip road or similar.
The first 2/3 miles of my commute are 40mph limit and a bit of queuing, then onto an NSL dual carriageway for about 3 miles where realistically I'd want to be doing 70-80, then bumper to bumper for the last mile or two. Does this sound reasonable to do on battery only, twice a day?
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