Consumer Reports Finds Plug-In Hybrids Have 80% More Problems - CleanTechnica

The article discusses the ongoing debate around plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), highlighting their mixed reputation since the Chevrolet Volt's debut in 2014. While PHEVs were initially promoted as a cost-saving and transitional technology to full battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), many users failed to regularly charge them, undermining their fuel-saving potential. PHEVs offer advantages such as reduced range anxiety due to their gasoline engines and features like regenerative braking, but critics question the practicality of maintaining two powertrains when BEV infrastructure is rapidly improving. A key issue raised is the variability in PHEV design and manufacturer practices, with some models activating the gasoline engine frequently, reducing electric-only driving benefits. Automakers have sometimes exploited government incentives by producing PHEVs that meet regulatory requirements but perform poorly in real-world emissions and electric range. The article notes China's introduction of extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs) with significantly longer electric-only ranges as a more effective approach. Most notably, a recent Consumer