If I bought a PHEV but don’t have a charger… is it just a regular gas car?

Seeking Help
1

I bought a 2020 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, but I don’t have a charger or anywhere to plug it in right now. If I keep driving it like a regular car in hybrid mode, will the battery run out and just leave me with a gas-powered car?

2

The gas engine will kick in to charge the battery as needed. You’ll be using gasoline most of the time, but PHEVs usually get better fuel economy than regular gas cars.

Also, this car can charge with a standard 120v outlet. If you have access to one, it could help you drive on electricity more often and save some money on gas.

3

With the smaller battery in a PHEV, a 120v outlet charger is usually enough to keep it charged if you can use one.

4

5

I have a Chevy Volt and sometimes I drive it using only gas when I don’t have access to a charger. It works just fine, but I definitely prefer driving on electric.

6

You don’t need a charger. Plugging it into a regular 120v outlet each day is enough for most people. If you don’t, it will act like a regular hybrid, so no worries.

7

Nope, it’s still a hybrid—just not as efficient as a full EV or hybrid that’s fully charged.

8

MAKENA said:
Nope, it’s still a hybrid—just not as efficient as a full EV or hybrid that’s fully charged.

Actually, the Outlander PHEV isn’t as efficient in hybrid mode as non-PHEV hybrids. You’ll notice it uses more gas compared to a regular hybrid when the battery isn’t charged.

9

@Mark
That’s a pretty unique design! Hard to believe they couldn’t optimize it better for hybrid mode.

10

@Mark
This happens with a lot of PHEVs. They’re not as efficient in hybrid mode compared to non-PHEV hybrids. The Chevy Volt was notorious for getting around 30 MPG in hybrid mode. The Prius Prime is one of the few that didn’t lose any efficiency compared to the regular Prius.

11

If you aren’t planning on charging your PHEV regularly, you might want to consider switching to a regular hybrid. PHEVs aren’t as efficient in gas-only mode because of the added weight of the battery. If you can charge it, you’ll save on gas, especially if you charge during off-peak hours.