What baffles me with the PHEV option is that it is an EV but they have all the expense of an ICE + dual system switching etc.
I would have thought that it would be much more expensive for manufacturers going down the PHEV route then just putting a few extra batteries in for the EV version - but apparently not.
The upcoming Chinese EV invasion will force western manufacturers to compete or suffer severe market erosion.
2021 Lapis Blue Plus 6 You know it makes sense! 2016 Carmine Red 991.2 C4S
I understand your thinking regarding PHEV v EV Clipper but remember the former have a much lower capacity battery. Taking the Kia Niro crossover as a good example given its available as EV, HEV and PHEV, the latter has only an 8.9 kwH battery compared with the EV's 64 kwH. The HEV's capacity is even less at 1.56 kwH for a theoretical range of only 6 miles on pure electric. It still beats the heavier EV on range though and with typically 80 mpg according to my partners daughter who is on her second of these chunky crossovers. Given the batteries form a significant part of manufacturing costs, this may go some way to explaining your query.
I note that HEV's (self charging hybrids) are now outstripping PHEV sales at the rate of around two to one in the UK, and I can see why, and not just because they are the cheapest in the range.
Richard
2018 Roadster 3.7 1966 Land Rover S2a 88 2024 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 1945 Guzzi Airone
Since the topic is electric cars, may be this video by Harry Metcalfe is worth a try. I was really impressed not only about the car but also about the concept, not to take tons of weight to offer a monster SUV but to deliver more than 1000 km by one charge. I also think it is a special privilege that Harry was allowed to ride as a passenger in the Mercedes EQXX at the Mille Miglia, after he had been allowed to drive a 1955 300SL (in graphite grey, the Mercedes colour of my 4/4) himself for 250km alongside Karl Wendlinger the day before.
A 14 month Tesla Model 3 experience convinced me that for my lifestyle and needs a petrol motor is the most logical choice. If I was still commuting the EV or a PHEV would make more sense.
But I still have issues with EV battery weight!
Most of our driving is just 2 people. The Tesla is actually light, as EVs go, but at 1919kg it is still a heavy thing. My Co Pilot's AMG C43 weighs 1610kg, My Porsche Boxster is jut 1355kg: 600kg less than the Tesla and with much the same performance. Schlepping 600kg of dead weight round with you is NOT Green, sorry. It is a waste of energy.
Peter, 66, 2016 Porsche Boxster S No longer driving Tarka, the 2014 Plus 8...
My wife test drove a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV today while I sat in the passenger seat. It is very nice but feels rather large, it has a 20KWH battery with two motors, one on each axle to make it AWD, rear motor 100KW and front 85KW. The good features are
It can charge on a standard power point in 9 hours.
It can drive 90km on just battery so we could use it around town without using any petrol.
It can drive about 900km on petrol so no range anxiety travelling interstate in Australia.
With AWD and a motor on each wheel I should be able to tow the trailer more easily than with the FWD Octavia especially on muddy surfaces.
Our current cars are Skoda Octavia VRS 162KW with 135,000kms and Skoda Rapid 82KW, with 90,000km both manual and both 2015. My son drives a Skoda Rapid with 190,000km on it that is feeling old. My wife really wants to replace his car which is why we looked at the Mitsubishi.
I see the options are
Give son my Octavia and buy Outlander to drive around town, take on trips, use to carry guitars and amps for my band and tow the trailer for gardening etc. Keep my wife's Rapid but just as a second car when we both need to go somewhere.
Give son my wife's Rapid and buy a MG4 when they finally arrive. it appears a similar size car to the Rapid so a good town shopping trolley. Keep my Octavia to take on trips, use to carry guitars and amps for my band and tow the trailer for gardening etc.
Give son my wife's Rapid and buy a new cheap petrol car.
Give son nothing and keep what we have.
We do have a few new government incentives to purchasing an EV but the cars are still a lot more expansive than what you wold pay for a petrol version.
Any experience with the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV? Or any with the MG4, it seems quit nice on UK Youtube videos.
We have an MG dealer service bay opposite us on our business park. It used to be Subaru but they were having problems with customers just going away as the range is not what it was. Since they took on the MG franchise (3 years?) it is clear their business has grown significantly as they have approached everyone on the park to see if they can have spare parking slots. I pass their showroom on the way in/out and it is a lot busier than it was. MG is doing well for them if that helps.
The electric car market does seem to be causing a re-order of the popular brands, it will be interesting to see what happens when the UK starts to see Chinese RHD models start to appear.
Everyone loves a Morgan. Even me, unless it's broken again.
We have an MG dealer service bay opposite us on our business park. It used to be Subaru but they were having problems with customers just going away as the range is not what it was. Since they took on the MG franchise (3 years?) it is clear their business has grown significantly as they have approached everyone on the park to see if they can have spare parking slots. I pass their showroom on the way in/out and it is a lot busier than it was. MG is doing well for them if that helps.
The electric car market does seem to be causing a re-order of the popular brands, it will be interesting to see what happens when the UK starts to see Chinese RHD models start to appear.
I had a Subaru Outback with the dual range manual gearbox from 2002 to 2014 when it got written off in an accident. It was a great car and I loved being able to put it in low range and reverse the trailer easily around the side of the house. It was pretty worn out at 247,000km but I had only just replaced the clutch, amazing that the first clutch lasted so long. If the new model had the same dual rang manual gearbox i would have bought a new one but as you say they lost all their customers as the range is not what it was.
I agree the electric car market will cause a re-ordering of the popular brands with a few new ones mainly from China and maybe a few disappearing. I think Toyota is currently the best selling car in the world but people are thinking they are going to be finished soon. I agree they seem to be lagging behind in creating EV's but their Hybrids have probably saved the world of more CO2 that Tesla because they have been selling them for so long. I feel they are going to be successful with their solid state battery and take over as the best selling brand in the new EV world at some stage.
You know it makes sense! 
