So… what actually is it?

A plug-in hybrid, or PHEV (sorry about the acronyms), is the middle child between a hybrid and a full electric vehicle (EV). It has:

• A battery-powered electric motor

• A regular ol’ petrol or diesel engine

• And a plug socket so you can charge it

It can be used either way or both together. It’s the best of both worlds… if you charge it. Cheap to run and low-emission for short trips, with a petrol engine ready to step in for the long ones.

How does it work?

When the battery is charged, the car can drive purely on electricity, usually between 40-100km, depending on the model. After that, the petrol engine takes over, so you’re never stranded waiting for a charger to free up at your local pool car park.

In ideal cases:

• You can do your short trips (school run, coffee, work commute) on electric power only

• The petrol engine kicks in automatically when the battery’s flat or you need more grunt

It’s like having an electric car but with a safety net. You can also have both systems work side-by-side to bring your fuel consumption to impressively low figures.

Do I have to plug it in?

Technically no. You can just drive it like a normal petrol car. But if you don’t plug it in, and once the battery depletes, you’re dragging around a big, heavy battery for no reason, and your fuel economy becomes… not great. Like, what-are-you-doing bad.

So yes. Please plug it in.

What’s good about it?

• You can do short trips without using any petrol

• You don’t have to fully commit to EV life (charging apps, infrastructure, silent existential dread)

• It’s quiet, smooth, and still has a petrol engine for road trips or last-minute detours to Bunnings

• Government incentives sometimes apply, depending on your state

What’s the catch?

• They cost more than both hybrids and regular cars

• You need somewhere to charge it regularly (ideally at home)

• If you don’t charge it, it’s basically just a heavy, expensive hybrid with guilt issues

• Boot space is often smaller, because batteries gotta go somewhere

Who’s it for?

A plug-in hybrid is for you if:

• You mostly do short commutes or errands

• You want to try electric driving but aren’t ready to totally rely on chargers just yet

• You have a garage or driveway with a power point access

And what’s it not for?

• If you only drive long distances, get a diesel or a regular hybrid

• If you’re never going to charge it, don’t waste your money

• If you live in an apartment with zero chance of installing a charger, also, maybe look elsewhere

Examples of Plug-In Hybrids:

• Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – the OG suburban plug-in MVP

• Mazda CX-60 PHEV – very luxe, very new, very heavy

• MG HS Plus EV – if you want one but don’t want to spend over $50