Advice when buying a PHEV (Plug in Hybrid)

Hello,

I've decided that it's getting close to the time, where I need to modernise my car.

I've an old, low value, car, so selling it privately or as a trade in, isn't a major factor in my decision making (other than for convenience).

I've concluded that a petrol, plug in, hybrid, is what I want next. I'm not ready to commit to a full EV, but I do want to try and improve efficiency, and take a step in the right direction, with regards to getting a little *greener".

I'm still considering my options, with regards to the specific make and model of car, but for now, I'm looking for tips, advice and "danger warnings", when buying a hybrid, petrol and plug in, car.

Any specific comments about a particular make, or model, will also be appreciated, though...

I'm open to the idea of either new or secondhand, and think I'd learn towards a higher end secondhand car, before a new, midrange car (albeit, I haven't finalised my thinking).

Do I buy in RoI, or do I consider an import from NI or another part of the UK?

Do I only look at dealerships, or do I also consider private vendors (despite the additional risk of buying from a private seller, with no warranty)?

What else do I need to think about?

All suggestions, advice, or warnings, would be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

I suppose the first question is what are your needs?

what size car do you want,
what annual mileage do you do, how much of that would you expect you can do using battery only?
whats the budget?

Blackrock1 said:

I suppose the first question is what are your needs?

what size car do you want,
what annual mileage do you do, how much of that would you expect you can do using battery only?
whats the budget?

Click to expand...

All relevant, and questions I'm working through, myself....

I expect it'll be:
* saloon or SUV body style (open to both possibilities)
* probably doing max 10k KMs, per year
* Particularly low body cars, won't work. I need something with a little height, under the body of the car
* More battery, the better, but hybrid ensures I've no need to worry about range anxiety etc.
* Budget is reasonable flexible, albeit I'm not interested in spending 6 digits.

However, what I'm hoping for help with, at the moment, is more general issues or tips, please.

I have a bmw 330e plug in petrol hybrid. I find it very efficient for long journeys in that it charges from 0 to 100% on the motorway in about 45 mins when doing 120kmph. That gives me about 30kms of electric driving which works well in more urvan areas or in traffic. Overall, im happy with it and dont have to deal with range anxiety. Its also a nice car to drive and to look at!!

MrEarl said:

All relevant, and questions I'm working through, myself....

I expect it'll be:
* saloon or SUV body style (open to both possibilities)
* probably doing max 10k KMs, per year
* Particularly low body cars, won't work. I need something with a little height, under the body of the car
* More battery, the better, but hybrid ensures I've no need to worry about range anxiety etc.
* Budget is reasonable flexible, albeit I'm not interested in spending 6 digits.

However, what I'm hoping for help with, at the moment, is more general issues or tips, please.

Click to expand...

OK, your preferred body type and requirement for height offers tonnes of possibilities as most cars are cross overs now. I am going to be annoying and ask the obvious question, if your annual mileage is so low (and i assume you have provision for home charging) why are you shying away from a full EV?

We do 15-17k km annually and if i had to guess we have publicly charged once in the last 12 months.

I have an audi etron 55, very expensive new, depreciation has been eye watering, but thats good for you as a potential second hand buyer. Circa 330-400km of range depending on the weather, air suspension, big with loads of space.

I would recommend especially at these prices (circa 55-60% off the new price) one example below


If you are just not ready to make that leap then if i was looking at a hybrid with those requirements i would be looking at a BMW X5 /45 /50 depending on budget, pretty good electric range (65-100km depending) and a nice looking motor!


Its an extra 20k tho.

ArthurMcB said:

I have a bmw 330e plug in petrol hybrid. I find it very efficient for long journeys in that it charges from 0 to 100% on the motorway in about 45 mins when doing 120kmph. That gives me about 30kms of electric driving which works well in more urvan areas or in traffic. Overall, im happy with it and dont have to deal with range anxiety. Its also a nice car to drive and to look at!!

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i was surprised when i read this as i couldnt understand how i worked, i would assume your best bet is to plug in and get as much efficiency from the batter while driving, i still dont quite get it (if its not from regen) but posters here are saying its a false economy?

@Blackrock1 I'm not happy buying a pure EV, for serval reasons, tbh.

While not wanting to take the discussion off topic, I'll just tell you that two of my very good friends both own EVs, and have spent most of the last 3 years trying to talk me into buying one, without success

MrEarl said:

@Blackrock1 I'm not happy buying a pure EV, for serval reasons tbh. While not wanting to take the discussion off topic, I'll just tell you that two of my very good friends both own EVs, and have spent most of the last 3 years trying to talk me into buying one, without success

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thats fair enough, In that case id go with the BMW x5, friend just bought one, they are lovely cars and all the car you could want imo, plenty of electric range too.

A neighbour had the Range Rover p400 (plug in petrol hybrid) and it was a disaster zone.

If I was to throw up a potential shortlist, it would include:

BMW 5 and 3 Series (X or Saloon options)
Kia Sportage,
Hyundai Tucson,
Toyota Rav4

.. To name just a few...

MrEarl said:

If I was to throw up a potential shortlist, it would include:

BMW 5 and 3 Series (X or Saloon options)
Kia Sportage,
Hyundai Tucson,
Toyota Rav4

.. To name just a few...

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There is no comparison between an X5 and anything else on that list (but it will cost more). The Rav 4 PHEV seems to be well received but i have no personal experience.

MrEarl said:

@Blackrock1 I'm not happy buying a pure EV, for serval reasons, tbh.

While not wanting to take the discussion off topic, I'll just tell you that two of my very good friends both own EVs, and have spent most of the last 3 years trying to talk me into buying one, without success

Click to expand...

My response to you last year didn't convince you either! I have the X5 40e, but would definitely recommend the larger battery in the 45e.

You said your mileage is c. 10k per year. What is the longest drive you would envisage doing? It seems that baring long journeys/range anxiety you have the ideal profile for an EV. Even just for the maintenance savings alone.

You say 10k km per year but what does this look like? Is your mileage even or do you do mostly short trips with the ocassional long trip thrown in?

The standard of PHEVs differs massively. Some have very small batteries and underpowered electric motors, where if you accelerate too hard or go above a certain speed, the ICE kicks in automatically. Others have much larger batteries and powerful electric motors, where the ICE never actually propels the car but just generates electricty.

The wife has a vauxhall ampera (which wouldn't suit your needs) but even with 300k km on it, we are getting 50+ km range on the battery so all of her commuting is on electric and the only time we use petrol is if we go on a trip down the country - it's like having a short range EV and a petrol hybrid in the one vehicle.

As this is AAM, don't buy new, the depreciation is very unpredictable at the moment due to uncertainty in the EV market.

You will also need to factor in the cost of a home charger and this will likely make it worthwhile moving to a smart tarrif / night rate package, depending on your mileage as the car will be one of the main electricity consumers in the house.

I'm not current on specific makes and models any more but you should try to ensure that as much as your average daily mileage is doable on battery only for the most part of the year to get maximum benefit.

BMW X5 PHEV here and it is a cracking SUV. If you didnt want to spend that type of money the current X3 and brand new X3 are also potential options....they are similar in size to the older generation X5 also