Hybrid Cars: Fuel and Efficiency Issues
Gas-electric hybrid cars fill a need for those who want an electric car but don't want to experience range anxiety. Since these vehicles have dual drive trains, one electric, and the other gas, they are more complex than all-electric or all-gas-powered cars.
When driven correctly, mainly on electric power, the less-reliable gas system is seldom used, which lowers wear and tear on those components. However, infrequent use of the gas system can lead to issues with ethanol, especially if drivers need to replace the gas regularly, as it can gel and clog the fuel delivery system.
Balance Range and Efficiency with Plug-in Hybrids
I currently have a Volvo XC60 recharge plug-in hybrid. I found that to get the maximum use of electric power, you'll want a minimum range more significant than 30 miles, and the closer you get to 100 miles, the less likely you have to use the gas engine. Currently, fully electric cars are best as second cars, while gas or plug-in hybrids are fine as primary or secondary cars.
Let's talk about plug-in hybrid cars this week, and we'll close with my Product of the Week: The Black Diamond gaming keyboard, which I've been using since December and love — which is good as it wasn't a cheap date.
Understanding Hybrid Car Technology
Hybrid cars come in several forms. Initially, the most common were cars that used the secondary electric system for peak performance to use smaller engines that were more fuel efficient. These are mostly gone now, and you only see this approach used in supercars and the new Corvette E-Ray, which are less about economy and more about pure performance.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Hydrogen Cars
Current hydrogen-powered cars are effectively hybrids because they use hydrogen to power a generator that charges the batteries. On paper, if they had a fueling ecosystem that was large enough (they don't), they'd be better than pure electric cars because their waste is pure water, and they don't have the range issues of a pure electric car.
Home hydrogen generators are available, but they are pricey at over $10,000 compared to a home Level 2 electric car charger that costs under a grand, and some are closer to $200. So, until the fueling problem is fixed, this is a very niche class.
Designs and Drivetrains of Plug-in Hybrids
Plug-in hybrid cars are the most common, typically with gas engines and electric motors. While there were electric cars like the BMW i3 that had gas-powered range extenders, these are mostly gone now as most wanted to maintain their luggage capacity for a stand-alone generator that could recharge the battery in the car.
Some cars have both motors linked within the same drivetrain, while others, like my Volvo, feature a design where the gas engine drives one pair of wheels — typically the front set — and the electric motor powers the other pair.
Hybrid Extended Range Vehicles
This class of vehicles sports long ranges compared to pure electrics, and they can have ranges that extend beyond pure gas cars. They are often gas cars with a secondary electric power system, which grants extra range. I'll focus on ranking this class.
Because they have far smaller batteries, fully charging them at home typically takes less than 10 hours or overnight, while a full recharge on an electric-only car at home can take longer.
Polestar 1
Arguably, the best plug-in hybrid car is the Polestar 1 mainly because of its massive (for a plug-in hybrid) electric range of 52 EPA miles in pure electric mode, with Polestar saying it can reach up to 77 miles.
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It isn't inexpensive at $150,000, but it is the closest thing in this class to a no-compromise plug-in hybrid electric. This car is more of a large GT, a practical sports car. It's stunning to look at, and for the price, it's exclusive.
Polestar Hybrid Performance: Power and Beauty
For a hybrid, the performance is notably strong despite these cars tending to be heavy. It produces 600 horsepower, 738 pound-feet of torque, and 4.3 seconds to 60. The gas engine has a supercharger to avoid turbo lag and a turbocharger that provides extra boost at higher RPMs.
This was the first of the Polestar models, and it looks and feels more like a show car than a production car in how advanced it looks and feels. If budget were no object, this would be the car I'd pick. This car is rolling art. A couple of them are in my area, and they look even better in person than in the pictures.
Range Rover Sport Autobiography
While Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is struggling with its conversion to an all-electric product line due next year, the Range Rover Sport Autobiography is one of the market's top-performing, more affordable hybrid electrics.
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At over $120,000, this isn't a massive improvement over the Polestar 1 and again highlights that if you want no compromises, you'll pay a premium price. However, JLR is having a tough year, so it might be more willing to negotiate a lower price. At 543 horsepower, this car isn't as powerful as the Polestar, but it is an SUV, so it is more practical than a GT.
Plug-in Hybrid Range Rover: Style, Speed, and Matters
With a certified range of 51 miles, a 0 to 60 of 4.7 seconds, decent luggage space, and carrying capacity, this vehicle would be ideal for those who want the style and look of a Range Rover but want the electric capabilities of a plug-in hybrid.
This model is a decent, good-looking truck with the off-road capabilities of a Range Rover. Still, the price is steep for most buyers, and concerns about whether JLR will survive its electric pivot are worth considering.
BMW X5 xDrive50e
After the prior two cars, the $73,000 BMW X5 xDrive50e looks like a bargain. It has decent horsepower and torque, 483 horses, and a 4.6-second sprint from 0 to 60. This vehicle is less attractive than the Range Rover or Polestar, but it may be more practical given its storage capacity and far lower price.
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The xDrive50e should also be good in inclement weather. It's a BMW, so handling should be impressive if a little stiff. While it isn't a bad-looking car, it still needs the massive grill of some of the latest BMWs. It also doesn't stand out, which may be good because folks with expensive cars can often become targets for thieves.
BMW doesn't appear to be in financial distress, nor is it a new company, suggesting it'll be around to service the car once you've purchased it. Plus, with a more extensive dealer network than Polestar or JLR, your service experience should be easier than with the other two cars.
Volvo XC60 Recharge
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Volvo XC90: Versatile, Reliable SUV
This car has been great with our pets. In the massive snowdrop a few weeks ago, it was like a tractor with only a little slipping, thanks in part to the snow tires we have on it. The towing capacity of roughly 3,000 lbs. is lighter, but its overall capabilities remain intact. This 455 horsepower SUV will do 0 to 60 in 5.9 seconds, and prices start in the low $40,000 range. Ours costs closer to $65,000 when fully configured.
We bought ours three years ago, and the car has been trouble-free. This Volvo has been great for both short hops and long driving trips, boasting a total range of over 500 miles. It is a genuine bargain on this list.
Toyota Prius Prime
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The Prius Prime's plug-in capability leads to pure value. Three models (SE/XSE/XSE Premium) have base MSRPs ranging from $32,975 to $39,670. This is not a performance car by any stretch of the imagination. One of the slowest plug-in hybrids, it takes 6.6 seconds to reach 60 mph.
Set Plug-in Hybrid Standards with Prius Prime
Building on the legacy of the Prius line, the Prius Prime has set a high standard in the plug-in hybrid segment. With an EPA-estimated all-electric driving range of up to 44 miles, they are still one of the most practical plug-in hybrids on the market, though not my cup of tea, as I prefer more performance in my vehicles.
The Prius Prime is the most excellent value on my list, but it's best for those who want gas mileage and are likely to drive the wheels off their car.