Volvo XC40 Plug In Hybrid - A Proper Grower!

PHEVs (Plug In Hybrids) are often criticised on this channel in favour of BEVs. Well, if you are after a PHEV for your family, I can't really fault this one!
Merch: www.lovelymerc...
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[@johndonaldson5126]

I agree a PHEV is right for some, not for others. We have our second PHEV. It is the perfect car for us. Our Honda Clarity PHEV has a summer range of about 52 miles, and winter of about 30 miles. Our daily drive consists of taking our son to Christian school 12 miles from home. That is a 25 mile round trip. Add in a couple of small diversions which might add another 5 miles. Once at home we charge the car which takes a maximum of 2 hours. We make a second trip to pick our son up from school. There are also short evening excursions to church or the karate class. All of this driving is accomplished in pure EV mode. The engine never comes on for weeks or months. For long trips out of town we don't have to stop for long charging sessions. Just fill up with gas. How often does this happen? Less than 25 days per year. We take a week long vacation 550 miles away, and about 10-15 times per year we take shorter one day trips of about 350 miles. So for about 340 days per year we are full electric. We also have a solar roof on our house which we use to charge the car. Not only does that mean we are driving very clean, but it also means we drive for about 1/8 the cost of gas. Even though the engine runs so very little we do have the oil and filter changed once per year.

[@markhamilton7289]

The xc40 is just a damn good wee car. It's surprisingly compact and just all round very easy to live with. They'll be selling these for years.

[@philipdixon]

I have an XC40 PHEV. couple of things, the centre screen is configurable. The inscription has a different chassis to the r-design and is set up for comfort. I agree on the regen and why you can't select it in pure mode is a mystery. The MPG computer has a max of 150 mpg but the app tells me I am currently on 350 mpg! I run 99% of the time in pure with motorway in performance. I went PHEV as a taster before going full electric.

[@afnankhokhar5578]

Hi Philip, I'm looking into getting the XC40 PHEV and wanted to know; does the engine come on when you put the heater on? And can you preheat the car?

[@ChakibTsouli]

how much does a full charge cost you?

[@ChakibTsouli]

@@afnankhokhar5578 through the app yes, but the app is a paid service :/

[@peterhurst]

With you on the phev argument, lets not ignore them as some of us don't even have a drive let a lone a charging point.

[@ciaranwebb6871]

Exactly. In a worst-case scenario, this will be at least a semi efficient petrol which has to be a good thing.

[@Barefoot_Joe]

About 88% have and 12% don't have a driveway, so most CAN have chargers. Just not those in the middle of a city like me.

[@peterhurst]

@@Barefoot_Joe more like 60% in the UK and not everyone parks at home, yes it's most but there's still a lot that can't

[@benfarmer-webb1016]

@@peterhurst and some people may have places to park but not the electronics to install a 3kw or 7kw charging stations

[@dominictierney]

PHEV works for me. Living in a city apartment. No driveway to charge at home. But can charge at work if one of the four ports are free. Otherwise. Plan my weekly trips to shops / gym etc and try to keep battery topped up. A full electric wouldn’t work for me (until I move next summer). So it’s good to have the security of the T4 petrol engine. Yep. Not the most efficient thing. But I’d try to never let the battery get any lower than 1/2 to 1/4 empty anyway.

[@ciaranwebb6871]

It really boils my pish when people go 'oh don't buy a PHEV because it's a heavy petrol when the battery runs out, buy a diesel instead' - yes Mr Clarkson, but this is as close to an EV driving experience, with most of the perks, as you can get without having an EV. Clattery tractor engines are horrid. Also, it's not a 'heavy petrol' after the battery runs out, I believe they all act just like a regular Toyota hybrid once depleted, so that has to be worth something in favour MPG wise.

[@brucemurphy2735]

How about a diesel PHEV?

[@ciaranwebb6871]

@@brucemurphy2735 Yeah i think they work too, if you plug them as then you can avoid using diesel in built up areas

[@brucemurphy2735]

@@ciaranwebb6871 yes I certainly try and do that. Although the range is small in those days pre COVID I would aim to use fossil on the motorway and A roads and save the electric for town and villages

[@fraseradams7295]

really liked the style of this review!

[@leribsel]

I’ve just bought one and cant wait to get it, unfortunately it’s on a 3 month waiting list due to its popularity but sounds like it’s going to be worth the wait 🤔😄👍

[@Maranatha14]

I picked mine up on Sept 3rd, a lovely driving vehicle.

[@ChakibTsouli]

Same here! Ordered one last week and the dealer said I won't get it until January or February. He showed me the backlog and they had them trickling in, basically one car a month. Semi-conductor shortages didn't help either.

[@williamadams9110]

Ordered the PHEV Inscription version Yesterday (28Oct.) and now delivery is March or April 2022.

[@wiggi1968]

I hit the like button as soon as you said 'I mean it's an SUV...' 😆 That is exactly my sentiment. They still haven't grown on me.

[@howardjdavidson]

Ditto. Really like your style/presentation. Thanks for this. Very helpful.

[@andrewwebster6025]

I liked the idea of plug in hybrids but now want to go full electric now there are a lot more cars that will easily exceed 200 miles. Like the xc40 but a bit too pricey in full electric form

[@harrisj67]

Does look like a great car. Good value. Looks like it does the daily commuter miles and does the job for those long journeys. Avid EV fan, but I can see that EVs don't fully meet the long range market for much of the population and PHEVs meet that gap. Long term I do not see their value and one could be concerned with the resale value, but the resale value of a current EV is in question, if you are to believe the great strives we may see in the near future.

[@SDK2006b]

The full electric XC40 is quite a bit more expensive though, from £60k 😬

[@SamuraiTacos1]

yeah damn lol even the recharged xc40

[@mrmuds8624]

Yeah, that's crazy pricing. It's just barely cheaper than an I Pace so can't really see them selling many of them.

[@SamuraiTacos1]

@@mrmuds8624 yep the recharge looks sweet

[@mrmuds8624]

@Dave Anderson My point exactly, I would choose the I Pace over the XC40 all day long.

[@Barefoot_Joe]

"could have this for a couple of months" very naiiice! xD Looking forward to real world long term test then? Such a nice vehicle.

[@davidantill6949]

We've just ordered one. We now have the the three month wait but hopefully it will be a pleasant Christmas present. We drive about 20 to 30 local miles on a daily basis so hopefully we will be enjoying that fuel efficiency. We've chosen the T4 Phev Inscription without any added extras as it pretty much had everything that we realistically use.

[@markgaudie80]

This car suits people who like to tow as well and we all know a full BEV that tows will lose up to 50% of its range if towing a substantial weight. Hence why own a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. I can row a 1500kg caravan for over 200 miles all day long as well as doing my daily commute on EV only mode.

[@timjefferson1886]

The Skoda Enyaq iV and the VW ID4 can tow.

[@markgaudie80]

@@timjefferson1886 yes but what weight and for how far?

[@timjefferson1886]

@@markgaudie80 Shall I Google that for you?

[@mala5914]

So, the important question, what is the ‘actual’ average mpg from mixed driving - 70mpg, 80mpg, 90mpg ... more?

[@markhamilton7289]

If no spare wheel there is a big underfloor storage area and the load cover slots in under the boot floor. Just well thought out.

[@rob2738]

We currently have a 2015 xc60 it’s £30 a year to tax. The plan is to run it into the ground and then buy full electric. Great review as ever. 😊

[@chillmeister]

Same here. 2014 in our case.

[@rogermowat401]

Very interesting Andrew. As usual some thought provoking things to consider. I wouldn’t normally give a Phev a second thought but will look into the maths as you say. In my use my normal commute could easily be covered by electric range from what you have experienced even in winter. Like you not convinced by infotainment use and responsiveness.

[@daviddenley3512]

Good honest review, many thanks for doing the video. Keep well and don't let the Bug Bite, ok.

[@d2factotum]

I honestly don't understand this argument that a PHEV is "heavier". Just how heavy would this car be if you had a 50+ kWh battery in there instead of the petrol engine? I reckon it would probably be heavier (not to mention it would need a bigger electric motor as well). As for more things to go wrong, there's probably less to go wrong than the plain petrol version of the car, because it presumably won't have a regular alternator or starter motor (the electric drive motor doing both jobs)

[@ciaranwebb6871]

Exactly - if anything, they should far excel a petrol engine in reliability because they're only being run when required and generally under cruise. Normal ICE engines wear the most under loads like town driving; torque shunting through the gearbox, constant speeding and slowing.

[@keithware5314]

Yes I agree, also the battery shouldn't degrade too much because it only gets slow charging which batteries prefer and it doesn't get stressed under hard acceleration because the engine kicks in and takes the strain.

[@RWBHere]

Thanks for the review, Andy. Still not convinced that PHEV's are the solution for most people, especially now that more chargers are being installed, even in rural Lincolnshire.

[@nickhoughton7025]

I am surprised hydrogen isn't more popular... Relatively abundant though not easily processed. But, no mining required compared to Lithium. A good means to continue to gain duty and perhaps best yet the petrol stations can stay open - just convert the Diesel/ULP tanks to hydrogen...

[@garethedwards2883]

I think the design looks really nice :)

[@stumcph]

Once again a great review. Thanks! Quick question for you... So if you are driving longer distances, like 100 miles or more, when does the electric battery empty? If you're using in Hybrid and not Pure mode, just to help assist the petrol ICB keep the mpg low, can you get more than 20 or 25 miles from it? And how long for a full recharge at a supermarket or alike? Thanks again!

[@Drhiggythered]

As usual a good honest review by EVM. This looks like a great bridge to full EV.

[@jeremyrandall329]

GREAT review. Tells me all I need to know about the XC40 Plug in Hybrid. I’m disabled and I’ve just order one through the Motability Scheme. It won’t be available to circa March/April 2022 but hopefully it will be worth the wait. I’m really looking forward to it.

[@johndonaldson5126]

Take an EV car on a 500 mile trip. After about 200 miles you stop to charge. How long depends on your car and the charge station available. Anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours. This makes a long trip even longer. A PHEV is much more practical.

[@edwyncorteen1527]

? On any long trip you should stop every 200 miles, charge up for 20-30 minutes while grabbing coffee etc, 2 hours is only at a destination charger where you will be parked anyway doing something else, that is exactly why the pure EV is better, a PHEV on a long trip is a disaster in fuel economy as the battery has long given up. The charging infrastructure is only getting better so any current issues are being addressed, if you are worried, get a Tesla, the Model 3 has just had a price cut now they are coming from China instead of the USA.

[@johndonaldson5126]

@@edwyncorteen1527 Our Honda Clarity PHEV gets 42 mpg on the highway. Not so bad.

[@andrewmullen4003]

I have a 6 yo S80 diesel, lovely car, but would love it as a Phev, I too hate SUVs or crossovers. Great channel

[@karensinclair3511]

Great review. Just ordered mine and I can’t wait. Got the hybrid too. Exciting x

[@jimparr5412]

Just subscribed - Nikki sent me Looking forward to watching your channel

[@1965GJS13]

You actually get a spare tyre! That point alone wins huge brownie points against any other car these days! Ignoring everything else, this one feature makes this car almost unique...! More should be said/made about that!

[@mda5003]

The spare tyre or spacesaver is a £150 option.

[@matthewcochrane3750]

I would go for a phev, I have to take my son to his grans which is a 50 mile trip (there and back) mostly motorway driving with small town driving, but my closest supermarket is 5 miles away and my mother in law does alot of short journeys which is killer on fuel so to me a phev makes sense for all the small journeys then once you get to a motor way just kick the petrol engine in and set it to about 64mph and can easily get a decent range

[@davidlewis4399]

40 grand for a car best suited for the school run or the shops ouch will stay with a petrol for a while longer, great review though.

[@paulpalmtree9295]

Electric vehicle man. An excellent review, very informative and helpful. Given the fact that you have had this vehicle for some considerable time, and charged it many times on your home mains electricity, I must ask, have you noticed a considerable increase in your electricity bills, due to Home charging this Volvo XC 40 inscription pro, hybrid vehicle, I am curious as to how much it actually costs to keep charged up.

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

I have an electric car which uses more than the house so doesn’t really make a dent. Look in the channel for the tariff video.

[@chupoposama]

If I am correct, there is a B mode for more aggressive regen.

[@TheSadButMadLad]

1:20 Yes you can do it out on the road. The regs state that you can leave your house to work (and EVM is your work) if you can't do it at home, and whilst you can do a lot at home, the driving of the car can't be done in a garage. If you've driven in the weeks that you've had it, then you can film your drive. Your channel is your work.

[@ianrobins5501]

Great video. it's going to be a long wait until August, who knows you may still have it.

[@mda5003]

Here in the UK the price is important because if the list price (and that includes the 20% VAT) is over £40k the Govt. 'steals' nearly two thousand pounds extra in additional tax over the next five years - that's £325 a year plus the usual £140 in VED which will no doubt increase after each year's budget. The lowest price XC40 PHEV T4 in basic trim at the moment is just under £40k so looks promising - until that is you want metallic paint or some other extra that pushes the list price over £40k. Shame........

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

That hasn’t been the case for nearly a year.

[@mda5003]

@@ElectricVehicleMan In April 2020 they made the exemption only for fully electric cars costing more than £40k. You still have to pay this surcharge on PHEVs. www.gov.uk/vehicle-tax-rate-tables

[@zoomcctv]

A PHEV makes no sense to me if you can’t charge it at home. Otherwise it’s just a “self charging” hybrid

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

Which is why it’s a ‘plug in’ hybrid.

[@zoomcctv]

Electric Vehicle Man what I was trying to say is if you don’t have the ability to charge at home then why would you buy a PHEV. If your going to go to the hassle of driving somewhere to charge it up I don’t see the point as most are only 20 miles range. Surely the use case of PHEVs is limited except for them being a tax dodge for company car drives. I’m speaking as someone who has just traded in a BMW X5 PHEV that had 40+ miles of electric range

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

@@zoomcctv I agree but some can charge at work or at a supermarket regularly with no detours etc.

[@andrewlloyd5489]

Great review. My wife is probably going to get one as she is too scared of long trips with current infrastructure of charging. What I would say is lots missing from standard specs eg. Car play, camera, auto tail gate are all extras adding several hundred to the costs.

[@Brian-om2hh]

Would she be driving as far as this Andrew? pluginadventure.com/john-ogroats-to-lands-end-and-back/

[@andrewlloyd5489]

@@Brian-om2hh no. If it’s was me I’d go full electric as I’ve just had an i3 for 3years with no issues. But she frequently travels around the country for work. She does have Tesla model 3 on her list but needs a suv. Only really the Tesla network is totally reliable at the moment. She did look at a kona but luxury image took over with the Volvo.hopefully I’ll get another ev soon assuming everything calms down.

[@Brian-om2hh]

@@andrewlloyd5489 Luxury? SUV? Skoda Enyaq? Worth a look if you haven't already...... Big Skoda fan here. Have owned 4 since 2001. Some say better quality these days than VW themselves..... No argument from me there.

[@andrewlloyd5489]

@@Brian-om2hh yeah I like them too but they. Aren’t on her company car list.

[@andrewlloyd5489]

@@Brian-om2hh Audi Etron small battery, model3, kona,very basic id3are the full ev options . If the etron did real world 250 that would probably be the option even it is very large.

[@davidsworld5837]

so yo ging to have it until April. since we may be in lockdown until then.

[@JaimeFordham]

Why does no one in the XC 40 PHEV reviews *ever* mention that the ENGINE FANS ARE ON for 80% of the time when the car is charging overnight? Other PHEV like the BMW X1 25e don't do this. Why Volvo, why??!

[@theboss2117]

Have you been using the b mode on the gear stick I am sure you have but worth mentioning and I am pretty sure that the new electric xc40 runs different infotainment software

[@user-xf5db8kc4b]

Thanks for your clear and honest review 👍🏻 Seems like a great car 😏 What is your opinion regarding the possible hard noise the car blower makes whilst cooling the battery during charging? Some reports say this can be a nuisance to owners and their neighbors?

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

Never heard it tbh.

[@user-xf5db8kc4b]

Thank you. Stay safe ✌️

[@ilonarytel8976]

4433e4

[@delboy7039]

What, a spare tyre, is that an option, usually a foam kit these days, to save weight & money...

[@mda5003]

£150 option.

[@2008tourer]

6:45 what is that bit on top of the dash? Phone holder?

[@uk_assassin8684]

Which SUV phev is the overall best..? Have you tried any more..?

[@davewatts7444]

My choice

[@tedmack6516]

Good style for review. Looks at the issues and the resulting 'conversation' (oops) is interesting with points raised from diverse views. Don't be restrained by those who think only in a straight line. Good luck.

[@timaustin2000]

It's,.... Okay. Would I get this over an Arya or an ID4 or a Model Y? Hell no.

[@julienmenard9650]

30-32mpg with flat battery, like in 9L/100km??

[@nickhoughton7025]

The T5 is a very thirst 4pot petrol engine.

[@Smartsparky]

Good rear entry! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@chrispenn715]

That curved grill looks like it ran into the back of a lorry.... :-) I'm tempted by a PHEV. The XC40 is well regarded, but I personally dont like the interior design..... Thanks for the review

[@RajKumar-zm4ll]

Can you make a video on whether or not charging an ev to 100% is safe or not

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

It is.

[@RajKumar-zm4ll]

How often would you advise this ?

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

Depends on the car.

[@RajKumar-zm4ll]

Zoe

[@danishviking6254]

Yes one of these days the boot lid will take you out. 🙄 Better hand the car over to me. 😉 I love SUVs and wouldn’t be seen in any other car than an XC model.

[@Countrystock]

Mrs L has her eye on one of these.....do I show her this vlog 🤔

[@simonreeves2017]

No, don't! Hybrids are the worst of both worlds, low range on electric, low MPG on petrol. You have all the maintenance of a combustion engine, and extra complexity of the hybrid drive train. After 5 years it will have deprecated hugely as no one will want them, and they will be money pits to maintain - just my opinion as a car mechanic.

[@leoclarke6462]

How much is it?

[@chemeister]

40k +

[@rollingnome]

What's the point of an suv with only front wheel drive? Waste of space imo.

[@barrydoherty636]

I thought you wasn't a fan of Hybrid?

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

Self charging hybrid. Not a big fan of PHEVs but they’re needed.

[@simonreeves2017]

I don't think I would want to invest/waste this sort of money on any new car with a combustion engine in it. Like many people I know, my next new car will be pure EV, can't afford to do that yet, so will wait until I can. Personally I think hybrids are the worst of both worlds, all the maintenance of a combustion engine, plus an electric drive train with its weight - they do nothing particularly well, and at 5 years old are likely to be money pits due to the sheer complexity. Not for me.

[@jamspad2088]

... are you telling that because you own and regularly drive a PHEV or because you're imagining things? ... you know, I could write tons of negative things about today's EVs just imagining a few scenarios but I won't. Why? Because I'd write nonsense not owning and driving an EV. I really can't stand those who judge things without being fully knowledgeable about them. Sorry ... just my very personal opinion.

[@simonreeves2017]

@@jamspad2088 well, I’m a car enthusiast and engineer in my 50s. I’ve worked on cars all my life. My comment is based on my life’s experience that the simplest solutions are the best. Some of the most reliable cars were made in the early 1990’s when advances in technology meant we lost distributors and carburettors, and gained all electronic ignition and fuel injection. This era was before the anti-pollution devices such as EGR and catalytic converters and lean-burn configurations. A hybrid uses a modern combustion unit, which is now a complex animal, with an electric drive train, and complex mechanical and electronic systems to manage power delivery from both systems - imho these will be high maintenance and inefficient.

[@graeme6040]

Why the digs at the Polestar? Like a boy pulling the hair of a girl he fancies. Regretting the Tesla?

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

Watch the Polestar video and find out.

[@dougscott3089]

Jonny Smith (aka The Late Brake Show) has an almost sarcastic phrase about this kind of excessive consumer consumption, he calls it "Peacocking." What kind of overpaid idiot would buy something that lugs about a smelly fossil fuel burning engine when in electric mode and then a solid lump of dead battery when in "ice" mode. For just a glorified shopping trolley, come on you must be joking. Go EV now it makes much more sense.

[@bitman666]

3:04 door closing sound - rejected. I'm more a "thump" guy.

[@gordon1376]

PHEVs are a blind ally and not a step to BEVS. They put of the day when manufacturers have to commit full EV production. They are borought by people trying to avoid the congestion charge. And research shows that most PHEV users don't use the battery regularly. You use it properly but you are not the typical user. (mainly because you are a Yorkshire man 😂).

[@ciaranwebb6871]

what about me who has off-street parking, but it's communal, therefore no charging? Public charging is just not convenient for me. With something like this, I can charge it up at work when possible & reduce my carbon footprint & MPG costs.

[@watcher24601]

The alternative to a PHEV for those that get them is a diesel until charging options are reliable in all areas. I'd rather see PHEVs than diesels.

[@ciaranwebb6871]

@@watcher24601 Quite. They're not meant for BEV converts, and this is faaar nicer than a clattery agricultural 4 pot diesel.

[@PianoKwanMan]

We will have other issues surrounding politics before we get to 2026, when all batteries need to be manufactered in the EU and UK to avoid a price hike. I doubt production will be enough to have lots of EVs. PHEVs may be the only way until production of batteries increase.

[@Brian-om2hh]

To buy a PHEV, then not charge and use the battery/motor to it's full potential is foolish to say the least. Why wouldn't you use the battery and motor for a round trip - or several shorter trips for that matter - at a cost of some 70% less than petrol over the same mileage?

[@craigmcmaster1627]

Love your delivery some great videos but hybrids are a total tech dead end. Worst of both worlds make no sense.

[@devinspaul]

Please stop with the plug ins. I signed up for EV’s not that shite!

[@ElectricVehicleMan]

You could just not watch those videos. It’s not like you’re paying for any of this shite. Some people have no choice, I’m not going to pretend they don’t exist because some don’t like them. There are also very few EVs still.