Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) were once seen as the perfect stepping stone for fleets transitioning from petrol and diesel to fully electric vehicles. They promised the best of both worlds – electric-only driving for short trips and a petrol engine for longer journeys. For many years, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV proved that promise.
In numerous test drives over the last five years, the Outlander consistently delivered excellent fuel economy and low CO₂ emissions even when it wasn’t plugged in. Across city, suburban and highway conditions, it behaved like a well-sorted hybrid. When charged, it provided the bonus of pure EV driving – smooth, quiet, and emission-free. When not charged, it still performed close to expectations, making it a reliable choice for fleets.
But the landscape has changed.
The New Generation of PHEVs
Recent testing of the latest PHEVs – from several manufacturers – has shown a different story. These new models do not perform anywhere near their published fuel consumption and CO₂ figures unless they are driven fully charged.
For example, in uncharged use, consumption figures jump dramatically – often two to three times higher than the official numbers. In some cases, fleet testing has revealed averages above 10L/100km, with CO₂ emissions to match. That’s not just a small gap; it’s a fundamental shift in how these vehicles need to be managed.
This raises an important watch point for Fleet Managers. If your drivers don’t plug in daily, the sustainability benefits of PHEVs vanish, and you’re left with higher running costs and higher emissions than a conventional hybrid or efficient diesel.
The Infrastructure Dilemma
Some Fleet Managers may have seen PHEVs as a way to tick the emissions-reduction box without investing heavily in charging infrastructure. On paper, they look like a smart compromise – lower emissions and lower costs, without the need to plan, develop and invest in charging infrastructure.
The latest results from my test drives challenge that assumption. Without disciplined charging behaviour, PHEVs are no longer the easy option. In fact, choosing them without a charging strategy could backfire – producing worse emissions outcomes and undermining corporate sustainability targets.
What Fleet Managers Should Do
The message for organisations is clear: test before you commit. Conduct real-world evaluations across a range of driving conditions, both charged and uncharged, before rolling PHEVs into your fleet. Ask yourself:
- Do our drivers have convenient access to charging?
- Can we enforce charging discipline?
- Do we have the systems to monitor fuel use and emissions accurately?
- Would a traditional hybrid or efficient diesel actually perform better for our needs?
PHEVs are not obsolete, but the new generation demands a new approach. They can still deliver significant CO₂ savings and a strong EV experience – but only if they are treated as electric vehicles first, with charging built into daily operations.
For Fleet Managers, the “no charging required” era of PHEVs is over. The future now belongs to fleets willing to invest in infrastructure, driver training, and policy enforcement. Without that, PHEVs risk becoming an expensive compromise rather than a genuine sustainability solution.
