On the charge: Comparing hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles
Electrification - it’s one of the most common words used by car makers today as they look to the future with the internal combustion engine under threat of extinction.
Numerous countries and cities have even set a date for when cars solely powered by petrol or diesel will be considered an unwelcome intrusion. So car makes have no time to waste when it comes to preparing for a future that will include a combination of conventional hybrids, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles.
Which is why there are numerous options with one of those three technologies already on sale today. So to see how each stacks up we assembled a quartet of electrified vehicles to put them to the test.
Hybrid - Toyota Prius and Hyundai Ioniq
There were electric and hybrid cars before the Toyota Prius - but none were as important as the Japanese machine. It became the poster child for environmentally-friendly motoring as it made a dramatic public statement to anyone watching that you cared about saving the planet.
So much so it became a popular choice among Hollywood celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, Harrison Ford and Natalie Portman who all opted for a small Japanese four-door car instead of European luxury machines.
A big part of its appeal and sustained success is its simplicity. Sure, there’s a lot of technology going on under the bonnet, where the petrol engine is supported by an electric motor at certain times, but all the driver has to do is get in and drive. A Prius doesn’t require recharging like a battery electric vehicle [BEV] so it requires no major behavioural change from owners.
Which is why Toyota and sister-brand Lexus has relied on the technology for the past two decades. In the case of the 2018 Corolla range the hybrid powertrain is just a $1500 option which makes it a mainstream, affordable technology.
It’s also why Hyundai has decided to copy the formula, creating the all-new Ioniq that is due to go on sale to the public by the end of 2018 in Australia.
Like the Prius, the Ioniq is a stand-alone model in the Hyundai range, with its own unique nameplate and styling. However, while Toyota Australia only offers the conventional hybrid powertrain Hyundai has gone two steps further, with plug-in hybrid and BEV versions of the Ioniq also on the way.
Not surprisingly the two cars are very similar on paper. Both are powered by a small four-cylinder petrol engine - 1.6-litres in the Ioniq and 1.8-litres in the Prius. Both are supported by electric motors - Toyota’s produces 53kW while Hyundai’s makes 32kW. And both have very similar fuel consumption - Toyota claims 3.4-litres per 100km, Hyundai 3.2L/100km.
On the road both have a similar feel, where the electric motor assists off the mark or under acceleration but the petrol engine does the bulk of the work. With such small petrol engines it means only modest performance and they can be noisy under acceleration. But the Prius has the edge thanks to its more powerful electric motor.
The Hyundai hits back though with a better driving experience, with a more refined ride and more responsive handling.
The problem conventional hybrids face is the technology is increasingly being seen as outdated. The arrival of more and more plug-in hybrids (PHEV) and BEV has become an image problem for hybrids. Which is part of the reason why Toyota has rebranded its tech as ‘self-charging hybrid’ in a bid to get more cut-through and explain the benefits of the technology.
But with more PHEVs and BEVs on the way, not to mention increasingly efficient internal combustion engines that are almost as frugal for less cost and complexity, regular hybrid technology is already feeling like yesterday's news.
2018 Toyota Prius price and specifications
Price: From $34,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol electric hybrid
Power: 72kW (petrol), 53kW (electric)
Torque: 142Nm (petrol), 207Nm (electric)
Transmission: CVT automatic, front-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 3.4L/100km
2018 Hyundai Ioniq price and specifications
Price: To be confirmed
Engine: 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol electric hybrid
Power: 77kW (petrol), 32kW (electric)
Torque: 147Nm (petrol), 170Nm (electric)
Transmission: Six-speed automatic, front-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 3.2L/100km (claimed), 4.3L/100km (as tested)
Plug-in hybrid - Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
The PHEV is the next rung up the ladder, effectively swapping the roles of the petrol engine and electric motor. So the primary motivation comes from the electric motor, while the petrol engine adds a boost when needed or can charge the batteries when they become depleted.
While a more complex system than the conventional hybrid (and therefore typically more expensive) and requiring owners to plug the car into an outlet to recharge, the PHEV does have some significant advantages.
The obvious benefit of this technology is dramatically reduced fuel consumption even when compared to a hybrid. For example, the Audi Q7 e-tron is a full-size, five-seat luxury SUV that uses a claimed 1.9L/100km, which is significantly less than the Ioniq.
But the car we chose to represent plug-ins in our test is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Not only was it one of the first of its kind but it has also persevered when other more high-profile offerings have faded - notably the Holden (nee Chevrolet) Volt.
The Outlander has a battery range of 54km (according to Mitsubishi) so if your average commute is less than that you can stretch your visits to the service station to weeks and even months.
When it relies on the electric motors the Outlander feels a lot like a BEV to drive. There’s instant pick-up off the mark thanks to electric motors delivering peak torque almost immediately. It’s also nice and quiet, with only the hum of the motors noticeable the cabin.
And unlike BEVs if you find yourself in the sudden need to take a longer trip the petrol motor will kick-in and help and can be refueled just like a regular internal combustion engined car. So in some respects the PHEV gives you the best of both the old and new worlds, depending on how you drive it.
However, PHEV technology has its drawbacks. Firstly the fuel consumption is significantly more if the petrol engine is charging the batteries and drive the wheels. So if you drive regularly beyond that 54km range you will find yourself consuming a lot more than 1.7L/100km.
Then there’s the weight penalty brought about by having to carry the petrol engine and a battery pack. The range is limited in order to keep the battery pack small in order to package everything into the car. That weight and complexity is apparent when you drive the Outlander PHEV as it can feel sluggish at times and the response from the chassis is dulled.
2018 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV price and specifications
Price: From $45,990 plus on-road costs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol/ twin electric motors
Power: 87kW at 4500rpm (petrol); 120kW (petrol and electric)
Torque: 186Nm at 4500rpm (petrol); 332Nm (petrol and electric)
Transmission: Direct-drive automatic, all-wheel-drive
Fuel use: 1.7L/100km/54km EV range
Battery Electric Vehicles - BMW i3s
The future of Tesla may be under a cloud but it’s place in history isn’t. The American upstart will forever be recognised as the company that jump-started the established car makers into the electric car revolution.
There are very few major car makers left that aren’t offering or planning to offer a BEV in the next few years. Companies such as the Volkswagen Group and Mercedes-Benz have made a huge commitment to the concept, confirming dozens of new electric cars over the next decade.
Hybrid and plug-in hybrids reduce our reliance on fossil fuels but BEVs cut the ties completely, consigning the internal combustion engine to the scrap heap.
Unlike PHEVs which have to include the combustion engine, by committing to the electric motor BEVs are able to accommodate larger battery packs for a greater range.
In the case of the 2018 BMW i3s it has a claimed range of up to 255km, but the real-world figure is closer to 200km. That’s still plenty of charge for most people’s daily driving needs and it means never having to stop at the service station again.
However, it also requires a major behavioural adjustment if you own one, needing to charge it regularly like a smartphone. That also means having access to a power outlet, preferably a higher amp plug for faster charging, where you regularly park your BEV. For those without a garage that means a significant barrier to owning a BEV.
The benefits are more than just the lack of fuel though. In the case of the i3s it is powered by a 135kW/270Nm electric motor which gives it excellent performance for a city car. There’s a sense of urgency whenever you step on the accelerator with the instant torque propelling you forward with more shove than an equivalent-sized petrol-powered BMW.
And you need to keep your foot on the accelerator because unlike internal combustion engined cars that will coast when you ease off the throttle pedal, BEVs use regenerative braking to harvest energy to charge the battery. That means as soon as you lift off a BEV will start to slow and in most cases even come to stop without you touching the brake pedal.
It’s an adjustment that may become the new-normal as BEVs become an increasingly common sight on our roads.
2018 BMW i3s price and specifications
Price: $69,900 before on-road costs
Motor: 135kW electric motor
Power: 135kW
Torque: 270Nm
Transmission: Single-speed, rear-wheel drive
Range: 235-255km
Verdict
Which technology is best? That’s a hard question to answer because at present each has its own pros and cons.
The hybrid technology in the Toyota and Hyundai may be old news, relatively speaking, but it still offers good fuel efficiency, ease-of-use and does both at a reasonable price.
Plug-in hybrids like the Mitsubishi Outlander make for an appealing bridging technology, for those that want the benefits of BEVs for daily commuting but crave the security that the petrol range-extender engine brings.
BEVs appear to be the future because that’s where car companies are investing most heavily. At present they are limited by range and cost, but increased sales will help drive down the price and car makers are investing millions into battery research for improved range.
It may sound like a cliche but the real winner is you - the car buyer. Never before have you had so much choice in terms of efficiency. Depending on your budget and driving needs you can choose any of this quartet and know you are part of the electrified revolution.