What is a plug-in hybrid?
Choosing the right car for you can be a long and drawn out process. There are all kinds of factors to take into consideration: size, number of doors, boot size and now there’s a decision to make about whether to go electric or not. If you’re struggling to decide what kind of vehicle to go for, why not let us help you decide? We’ll take you through questions such as what is a plug-in hybrid and what does PHEV stand for?
What does PHEV mean?
PHEV stands for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. A plug-in hybrid vehicle uses both an electric and traditional combustion engine, with the electric engine’s battery charged by plugging from an external power source.
As a result, plug-in hybrids typically have larger electric batteries than their self-charging counterparts, meaning they can run for longer on purely electric power. This is one reason why you would consider choosing a plug-in hybrid over a self-charging hybrid, but it must be weighed up against the need to either install a charging point at home or always be mindful of the nearest public charging facility. Due to the presence of a traditional combustion engine, however, any ‘range anxiety’ is considerably reduced. This is because a plug-in hybrid is capable of being powered by petrol or diesel alone should the electric battery need recharging. In a fully electric vehicle, once the electric battery is out of charge, the vehicle will no longer be able to move.
Why should you drive an MG PHEV?
There are many reasons for owning a Plug-in Hybrid, here are some of our favourites:
Low Emissions
Plug-in hybrids produce zero emissions when in electric mode. As the MG EHS Plug-in Hybrid has 52 km of charge, it is likely most of your driving will be on battery power. This will be beneficial for air quality in urban areas, as well as helping your finances as you will not need to buy fuel as often.
Low Running Costs
Buying fuel can be expensive, so when running on your battery power, your journey will cost significantly less than it would in a conventional car. On top of the lower fuel costs, you’ll also be making savings on your road tax.
Home Charging
The most convenient and cost effective way to charge your PHEV is at home. To charge your Plug-in Hybrid, it is best to get a home charge point installed. This will provide safer and faster charging than the alternative, a three-pin plug. MG has chosen local partners to support you in the installation of a charging station perfectly adapted to your needs. Please contact your nearest MG authorized dealers for more details.
Comfortable Drive
While using the combustion engine of a Plug-in Hybrid, you may not notice much of a difference with a conventional petrol car. However, when running on battery power, you’ll notice the difference. PHEVs are incredibly quiet, and the maximum torque produced by the electric motor gives it instant acceleration.
The MG EHS Plug-in Hybrid
The MG EHS Plug-in Hybrid uses the same 1.5-litre turbocharged engine as the petrol model, but this then synchronises with the 90kW electric motor to create an electric only range of 52 km with no emissions. This means it is ideal for completing short urban runs on fully electric power, while saving the traditional petrol-powered engine for longer journeys.
With our plug-in hybrid, you can choose between the Comfort and the Luxury models. Both of these models are similar in size and specification, however the Luxury model does have a few more features that might be of interest such as: ambient lighting, 360° camera, power tailgate and panoramic sunroof.
Not only are our plug-in hybrid models great to drive and composed of useful features but the electric element means that you’re helping to reduce your emissions. We can all make a big difference in keeping our planet healthy and deciding to choose an electric car is one of the biggest ways you can make an impact on your personal carbon footprint. To discover more, see our article on how the MG’s pioneering plug-in hybrid powertrain works.
