How Plug-In Hybrids can be Better than EVs for the Environment

[@theaussieviking8555]

Plug in hybrids are for the faint of heart not willing to take the plunge to go full EV. The slightly cheaper running costs are offset by the need to maintain both a full ICE vehicle components as well as the EV side. Due to the High voltages involved, only an EV qualified mechanic is allowed to work on them, so no "cheapie" mechanic at the nearby industrial centre. The full EV has only about 30 moving parts so there is no ICE, gearbox etc to maintain. Regenerative braking not only delivers more efficiency, but also reduces the brake wear. We have done over 60,000kms between 2 x EV's (2020 Kona Highlander & 2022 Ioniq). These are charged almost exclusively from our home Solar system. Due to our sunny location (Perth, Western Australia) we can generate up to 77kWh a day in Summer Months, giving us a surplus after running the house and it's A/C's of about 45kWh. This is about 350 (Kona) or 400 (Ioniq) range for our vehicles. Synergy (Local power supplier only gives a measly 2.25Cents per kWh exported So it equates to under 30 cents per 100km's of driving. The payback for extra pollution during manufacture is less than 30,000km's even if you ran from coal powered source. With us running entirely from Solar it's far less and considering we used almost 3,000 litres of Diesel in 25,000km's (verified by log book) the cost savings are very substantial. Buying a hybrid is akin to swimming fully clothed - you are not experiencing the benefit. The payback period is quite reasonable, the drop in battery prices are making it shorter by the day. Only the Petrochemical industry lobbyists are trying to convince people not to swap. And the sooner you are not being blackmailed for their product with extortionate prices the freer you will feel!