Pre purchase advice.

[macey]

Probably asking a previously answered question but would appreciate an answer from someone who would have the same typical commute as I have.

My daily commute involves a 23 mile round trip. One small section of motorway, remainder is a bit of everything. My route rarely gives the opportunity to drive over 50mph with around half around the outskirts of Belfast so not overly congested. I try to avoid peak traffic times but occasionally I will be in quite slow moving traffic for around 5 miles of my journey. Not too many inclines.

From reading the forum I seem to have a journey which would be very suited to a PHEV, I have the facility to charge both at home and at work. Whilst at work I tend to use a company vehicle rather than my personal car so my usage really is limited to my commute.

I understand weather will have an effect and obviously there will be a certain change of technique to master the art of electric economy but certainly looks good in principle.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[anko]

My daily commute is 25 miles, so a tad more. No inclines (but also no declines) and no motorway section. Mostly 50 MPH speedlimit, a few sections even less. Very seldom I have significant traffic. And if I do, it does not seem to have much of an impact. No inclines, but lots and lots of roundabouts. I also charge at home and at the office.

After adopting my driving style a bit, I am able to make it back and forth to the office without burning any fuel three quarters of the year. But on the days that I do make it, I typically do not use the heater or A/C.

You have a few inclines that I don't have (but, like I said, then you also have some declines that I don't have) and a small motorway section. But also 2 miles less to travel. I think, it would be a great choice for you. Whether you can make it pure EV depends mainly on a few things:
- Are you able / willing to be very easy on the throttle?
- Do you insist in running the heater as soon as the outside temperature starts dropping?
- Do you insist in running the A/C as soon as the outside temperature starts increasing?
- Do these inclines allow you to get on top without using the engine? (obviously, this kind a depends on gradient and speed)

 

[Kesto]

My daily commute is 28 miles round trip with charging only at home. 50% motorway. In summer I manage 95 -100% EV driving. Currently in winter most of the time 90-92% EV driving. But when sub zero temperatures like in the last few days because the ICE comes on for heating it has dropped to 70%. However when I return there is about 8 miles battery left. I am happy with this

 

[Fecn]

My commute is 18 miles each way over some very hilly terrain, with 6 miles of motorway thrown into the mix. Most of the route is 50, 60 or 70mph limits, and I can charge up at work. When the weather was warmer (only had the car since the start of October) I was making it to work with somewhere between 3-6 miles of range left on the battery, and home from work with about 2 miles remaining, but now that the weather's gone cold the car has started using the engine for the first couple of miles of each journey to get some heat into the cabin, so I'm arriving at my destination with about 25% battery remaining.

On the warmer days I'm getting infinity MPG, and on the coldest days somewhere around 180mpg for my commute.

I reckon you should be able to get your 23 mile round trip purely on battery no problem (at least when the weather's warm enough that the car doesn't feel the need to burn petrol to make heat)

Hope that helps.

Cheers

 

[geoffshep69]

My commute is 13 miles each, no charging facility at work. Very heavy traffic generally, mainly stop start but a 2-3 mile section of free running dual carriageway.

In the summer I can easily do it all the way to work and back on EV, but at the moment I’m getting about 18 miles range in total.

If you can charge at work then you should have no problem at all doing your regular commute on pure EV. The key question though is what is your other usage pattern ? If you are doing 500 miles every weekend on the motorway then PHEV is not for you, but if most of your weekend / away from work travelling is local or short distance, then PHEV sounds perfect.

Bear in mind though that the initial cost of the PHEV is more than the equivalent diesel, so will you be saving enough on running costs to justify the extra initial outlay ? Or, if like me, you are buying it on a company leasing scheme (and therefore paying extremely low Benefit in Kind tax) then it makes it a bit of a no brainer.

 

[Muddywheels]

I do 11 miles in morning and charge before doing 11 miles in afternoon - somedays I do another 11 at lunchtime then charge again before afternoon trip

In warm weather I got 100% EV but with cold weather I'm finding unless I preheat the ICE is kicking in for heat when I start vehicle but never run batteries flat during week

Weekends I go further between charges and at moment getting around 20 miles compared to 30 in summer

Even with my longer trips weekends I'm still getting impressive mpg overall so happy I dumped the smelly diesel and with my BIK being first company vehicle

 

[macey]

Firstly many thanks for the swift replies.

Having re-read my post I do seem to have worded this quite badly. My commute is not a 23 mile round trip it is a 23 mile return trip with the facility to charge during the day (it was past my bedtime when I posted). I also did not realise the heating of the vehicle was by gasoline but, on reflection, that makes complete sense. Do I understand from that there will be no heating of the car without the use of gasoline or will there be some heat from electrical usage.

I have a friend selling one shortly 2 year old with 20000 miles and it does seem to fit my usage criteria. I will only use it for local trips at the weekend so no real concerns that way.

Many thanks again, Neil.

 

[elm70]

I find the fuel economy more an "appearance" then a real thing on this PHEV

In some countries the law allow low taxation for PHEV, and this alone made it "economical"

Otherwise ... a big heavy SUV is not really "economical" by definition.

I think it is nice to experience and using Hybrid and EV mode .. coming from "traditional" car

It is also nice to drive in a very quite car , and enjoy the "smooth" of EV gearless system

Also, if used mainly in EV mode and charged from the net .. it means wasting time at the tank station happen only once every 3 months .. instead of every 3 or 4 weeks for a similar usage on the diesel version.

PS: If the taxes over electricity will be same as on the petrol or diesel ... EV and Hybrid cars .. will not be at all economical .. and about being green ... unless there will be an efficient way to recycle Lithium batteries .. the claim to be "green car" is more appearance then substance

In other words ... chose this car .. is matter of personal taste .. try it ... and if you like it ... take it ... else there is no formula that justify picking this car over a traditional one

 

[elm70]

Firstly many thanks for the swift replies.

Having re-read my post I do seem to have worded this quite badly. My commute is not a 23 mile round trip it is a 23 mile return trip with the facility to charge during the day (it was past my bedtime when I posted). I also did not realise the heating of the vehicle was by gasoline but, on reflection, that makes complete sense. Do I understand from that there will be no heating of the car without the use of gasoline or will there be some heat from electrical usage.

I have a friend selling one shortly 2 year old with 20000 miles and it does seem to fit my usage criteria. I will only use it for local trips at the weekend so no real concerns that way.

Many thanks again, Neil.

Up to some "level" car heating is working in pure electric mode, but if the outside temperature is too cold, the car decide to start the ICE for warm up the cabin "faster"

Still ... there are work around for avoid ICE start in these situations .. so ... it is not a really big thing at the end.

About the car from your friend .. I believe that is mandatory for this car to have MMCS and heated sits ... other optionals are less important

2y old 20k miles ... if not crashed ... and if price is "fair" ... it is possibly a good value.

This PHEV should be a car capable to age without many issues ... since is looking like they design this car for be as reliable as possible

 

[Dusz]

Electric heating is only available on 3+ and higher specked cars.

 

[anko]

Having re-read my post I do seem to have worded this quite badly. My commute is not a 23 mile round trip it is a 23 mile return trip with the facility to charge during the day (it was past my bedtime when I posted).

I interpreted it as 46 miles in total. Anyway, my daily commute (see my previous post) is 50 miles in total.

I also did not realise the heating of the vehicle was by gasoline but, on reflection, that makes complete sense. Do I understand from that there will be no heating of the car without the use of gasoline or will there be some heat from electrical usage.

Indeed. Depends on the trim level.

 

[Muddywheels]

Depending on your location/climate I think you'll struggle to get 23 miles EV in winter even with preheat so would expect a small amount of petrol each trip if I was you - when it warms up you will be fine though based on my experience since Sep ownership

Assuming you get free electric at work for your return journey you will be saving some petrol and recharge costs so I would definitely do it in your position

As pointed out 3h+ upwards with electric heating would be essential for this to work

I would want to know how much warranty remains on the used PHEV, if it can be extended and reliability/likely repair costs if it only has a year remaining

 

[jaapv]

PS: If the taxes over electricity will be same as on the petrol or diesel ... EV and Hybrid cars .. will not be at all economical .. and about being green ... unless there will be an efficient way to recycle Lithium batteries .. the claim to be "green car" is more appearance then substance

That is an interesting remark in the light of recent developments. There are quite a few initiaives and pilot projects to re-use automotive Li-Ion batteres as power banks for sustainable electricity -after all, a "worn-out" automotive battery will still have 50-70% of capacity left- and studies for full recycling are under way, for instance:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214993714000037

 

[maby]

PHEV EV range is extremely dependent on driving style. If you are prepared to adapt to the car and drive for economy, you can achieve the advertised 30-odd miles in the summer - just about! If you drive it like any other car - taking advantage of the acceleration available and making use of heating or aircon as appropriate - then the range you achieve is likely to be significantly less. I reckon I'm doing well to get 24 miles in the summer and 16 miles if the temperature gets close to zero. I did achieve 30 miles when it was new - by driving it gently in the summer with the aircon off, but I could not keep that driving style up for long. YMMV.

 

[Muddywheels]

I managed 29 miles EV just last week with the sun shining but only 20 today in cold

 

[HHL]

I did 48km last week (in suburban traffic), a few hills in that too but no aircon. My car is a 3/2014 built date, has done 22,000km now.

 

[macey]

Many thanks again for the fantastic input. It is great to see the locations of those providing input.

I have the car home with me tonight and have done 20 miles on electric power. Pretty cold tonight, circa 5 degrees so that bodes well. The car is a GX4h. If anyone can shed any light on the heating method that would be much appreciated. The car had very little gasoline in it when I got it but the fuel warning came on very quickly but this may have just been coincidence.

I very rarely use air con even in very hot weather but I do like my heat.

Yet again many thanks in advance.

 

[Muddywheels]

I know a PHEV owner who didn't switch anything on and wore a coat to get the highest range but that's not for me - I preheat on the mains, switch on heated seats and steering wheel when it's cold and set temp around 20 C - I use air con if it's steaming up or too warm in vehicle - I bought a vehicle loaded with toys and I like to be comfortable :mrgreen:

I charge whenever possible because electric is cheaper than petrol (unless from Ecotricity), take advantage of the free parking when recharging in York and if I'm going further than EV range save the battery for urban areas and use the petrol on the long runs in between

I can't believe it took me this long to discover the benefits of a phev - I also can't believe the number of other makes doing similar now - parked beside a Golf and a BMW today charging - I had no idea :shock:

 

[maby]

...
- I bought a vehicle loaded with toys and I like to be comfortable :mrgreen:
...:

Same here - my first car had no heating or aircon, but that was more than forty years ago and it cost £25...

 

[elm70]

PHEV EV range is extremely dependent on driving style. If you are prepared to adapt to the car and drive for economy, you can achieve the advertised 30-odd miles in the summer - just about! If you drive it like any other car - taking advantage of the acceleration available and making use of heating or aircon as appropriate - then the range you achieve is likely to be significantly less. I reckon I'm doing well to get 24 miles in the summer and 16 miles if the temperature gets close to zero. I did achieve 30 miles when it was new - by driving it gently in the summer with the aircon off, but I could not keep that driving style up for long. YMMV.

I think there is not space for different "driving" style .. when the PHEV is in "EV mode"

The foot on the gas should be very light, else the ICE will kick in.

Range is only a matter of the driven speed (and this is dictated by the street .. drive 60km/h on motorway is not even allowed)

In the city, and in slow street ... with speed never over 70km/h ... then this car can achieve up to 50km EV range (in the good weather and no AC or heating used) ... on motorway at 120km/h .. EV mode will last no more then 20km ... anyhow.... this is common for every EV car ... but due to the huge side of the car, even with sort of optimized aerodynamic ... cutting the air with the car at relative high speed cost a lot of energy "waste"