Petrol hybrid for daily use
Discussion
I'm going to be after a new big, quick, estate next year and one option would be a volvo v90 t8.
My work trip is about 15 miles each way on a mixture of roads. My initial thought was that I would manage that on electricity so effectively no petrol used but would it?
One section is dual carriage way so am I effectively driving a large estate with a 65bhp electric motor at 70 mph or would the petrol motor kick in and ruin the plan and leave me back at 20mpg or so.
If I can't avoid using petrol then it rather defeats the object so I'll stick to plan A and buy an E63!
My work trip is about 15 miles each way on a mixture of roads. My initial thought was that I would manage that on electricity so effectively no petrol used but would it?
One section is dual carriage way so am I effectively driving a large estate with a 65bhp electric motor at 70 mph or would the petrol motor kick in and ruin the plan and leave me back at 20mpg or so.
If I can't avoid using petrol then it rather defeats the object so I'll stick to plan A and buy an E63!
Lincsls1 said:
I was under the impression that most hybrids only operate on the motor below around 30 mph.
Mild hybrids maybe, but any PHEV worth it's salt will do 70mph on the motor.As to the OP the Mrs has an Outlander, it'll do about 17-20 miles on a charge in the winter, it does about 35mpg on petrol at motorway speeds.
Obviously you're looking at a different vehicle but I'd suspect it'll be similar.
DKL said:
I'm going to be after a new big, quick, estate next year and one option would be a volvo v90 t8.
My work trip is about 15 miles each way on a mixture of roads. My initial thought was that I would manage that on electricity so effectively no petrol used but would it?
One section is dual carriage way so am I effectively driving a large estate with a 65bhp electric motor at 70 mph or would the petrol motor kick in and ruin the plan and leave me back at 20mpg or so.
If I can't avoid using petrol then it rather defeats the object so I'll stick to plan A and buy an E63!
Specs say it can run on electric power up to 78mphMy work trip is about 15 miles each way on a mixture of roads. My initial thought was that I would manage that on electricity so effectively no petrol used but would it?
One section is dual carriage way so am I effectively driving a large estate with a 65bhp electric motor at 70 mph or would the petrol motor kick in and ruin the plan and leave me back at 20mpg or so.
If I can't avoid using petrol then it rather defeats the object so I'll stick to plan A and buy an E63!
I know that its often a controversial opinion (and I am biased because we have an i3 Rex), but I think that a modern PHEV is a great middle ground for many people and fits extremely well with what they are looking for.
Depends on a few situations, such as making sure you can actually charge at home and frequently, but its a great middle ground use case for those who need have the flexibility of an ICE but the economy of an EV. Not for everyone, but for those who fit the use case, it seems to do very well.
Harry Metcalfe has been trying EV's and PHEV's and he fits absolutely in the use case:
https://twitter.com/harrym_vids/status/13344507285...
Getting virtually 50MPG out of a 6 cylinder X5 and would be closer to 70MPG if he hadnt had a few much longer trips! I call that a win and he can do the long trips with ease and without a long stop for a charge. Could an EV do the same thing? Yes, but suddenly you are forced to plan and manage charging. But for those who it fits, a modern PHEV is a great compromise.
Depends on a few situations, such as making sure you can actually charge at home and frequently, but its a great middle ground use case for those who need have the flexibility of an ICE but the economy of an EV. Not for everyone, but for those who fit the use case, it seems to do very well.
Harry Metcalfe has been trying EV's and PHEV's and he fits absolutely in the use case:
https://twitter.com/harrym_vids/status/13344507285...
Getting virtually 50MPG out of a 6 cylinder X5 and would be closer to 70MPG if he hadnt had a few much longer trips! I call that a win and he can do the long trips with ease and without a long stop for a charge. Could an EV do the same thing? Yes, but suddenly you are forced to plan and manage charging. But for those who it fits, a modern PHEV is a great compromise.
ok, thanks all. Ideally I'd like to be able to do my daily commute with no or as little petrol used as possible but leaving me with a 400bhp car for the rest of the time. I may be asking for my cake and eating it but that is how it would have to work for me to be interested.
It is useful that it will do 70mph on the battery so a little more research required.
It is useful that it will do 70mph on the battery so a little more research required.
robbieduncan said:
Beware the range at 70 will be a fraction of the quoted maximum. In our Passat GTE Estate the battery charge needle goes down very quickly at motorway speeds
Yes, good point. Don’t go on the manufacturer’s figures. Try and get real world feedback from current owners. Harry M tested the RR Sport PHEV and showed it doesn’t get close to its advertised range, but the BMW X5 did. It does vary a lot and it’s worth getting real data. Our hybrid claims to be able to do 85 on electric, although near that speed, the range drops quite quickly!
It's 14kwh, The claimed range is 30 miles, but its more like 22- 23 at the moment with normal driving (with the heating on) Slightly more with it off. Not sure how much that will change in the summer. Hopefully it will get a bit more. I've only owned it during the winter months
I find it does work brilliantly though, most of the journeys on EV charging every night, I think its up to 800 miles on this tank of fuel!
It's 14kwh, The claimed range is 30 miles, but its more like 22- 23 at the moment with normal driving (with the heating on) Slightly more with it off. Not sure how much that will change in the summer. Hopefully it will get a bit more. I've only owned it during the winter months
I find it does work brilliantly though, most of the journeys on EV charging every night, I think its up to 800 miles on this tank of fuel!
Edited by jamesbilluk on Friday 24th December 20:00
FiF said:
Sorry thread diversion.
PHEV, how does the heating work if you're on battery only? I had assumed, yes I know, that if you needed heat that would need the engine to run.
Particularly re the Volvos.
A big resistive heating element. So basically a large power draw on the battery. Most PHEVs have connected services to allow pre-heating (whilst still plugged in) to help reduce range reduction. However I’ve never managed to get the VW stuff to work!PHEV, how does the heating work if you're on battery only? I had assumed, yes I know, that if you needed heat that would need the engine to run.
Particularly re the Volvos.
robbieduncan said:
A big resistive heating element. So basically a large power draw on the battery. Most PHEVs have connected services to allow pre-heating (whilst still plugged in) to help reduce range reduction. However I’ve never managed to get the VW stuff to work!
Ah OK thanks, that's not good. My current daily has one of those resistive elements as the diesel takes so long to warm up. About 1KW it seems, that being on automatically, plus heated screen and seats, lights etc feels not particularly sympathetic to things.Gassing Station | EV and Alternative Fuels | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff