Seems like PHEV can mean it only goes 15-30mi on a charge. Realistically how many people are actually plugging those in?

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londons_explore 20 hours ago | parent | next [-]

They vary widely. Some have 1 mile (and the plug is therefore fairly pointless and usually just to qualify for some subsidy), whilst others do 200 miles and are effectively full EV's with a petrol generator to travel further.

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traderj0e 20 hours ago | parent [-]

Yeah 1-5mi EV seems like pure scam marketing that should be illegal

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londons_explore 20 hours ago | parent [-]

It still allows regen braking down a hill or at traffic lights in town, so you get a decent efficiency gain. It also gives you a bit more horsepower when overtaking (depending on design). Or an hour of running the AC without belching smoke.

Considering the battery and motors for these tiny EV's is only 100 lbs or so, it is probably still worth having.

	▲	traderj0e 19 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Yeah I'm not saying it's useless, it just shouldn't be marketed as an EV when you basically need to burn gas to drive it.

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spauldo 17 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I would. Why wouldn't I? I park my car in an attached garage. If I had an EV or PHEV, I'd walk right past the charger on my way to the door into the house. I don't like standing around at the gas station waiting on the tank to fill. Seems like a no-brainer to me.

I actually wanted a PHEV, since my car is mostly used for local driving but I also drive hundreds of miles for work trips. Unfortunately I couldn't find one I liked.

	▲	traderj0e 16 hours ago \| parent [-]
		If you don't have an attached garage

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i_dursun 20 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Mine does about 40 miles during summer and 23 miles during winter. Given that my trips are within 25-35 miles range, I charge it daily. It’s at 9.5k miles and I filled up the tank about 7-8 times in 2 years. Rest was all electric.

	▲	traderj0e 20 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Charging at home or elsewhere though? Cause lots of people can't charge at home or at work.

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dalyons 19 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

lot of comments speculating but we have the data.

> Realistically how many people are actually plugging those in?

Answer: almost no one. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/oct/16/plug-in-...

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iso1631 19 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Most journeys are well under 30 miles.

https://www.nimblefins.co.uk/best-car-insurance/average-car-...

> The average car journey distance in the UK is approximately 8.2 miles

	▲	traderj0e 19 hours ago \| parent [-]
		The question isn't how long the journey is, it's how long until you're somewhere with a charger where you can wait a long time, but not too long. Short-range EVs make the most sense for people with single-family homes. Charging at work or apartments helps, but then there's the "too long" caveat.