Comment by cbhl | Hacker News Reader

Comment by cbhl | Hacker News Reader

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I live in the west so I won't comment on charging networks. However, I currently drive a PHEV, so leaving some thoughts more generally about things I learned when I started:

- EVs are most energy efficient at slower speeds (varies by temperature, but in my experience, in the range of 30-45 mph) whereas ICEs are most efficient at highway speeds (65 mph). The energy consumption at different speeds varies enough that in-car range estimates can be off by a lot.

- Some PHEVs can recharge the EV battery from the gas engine; others only can recharge the EV battery from being plugged in. Check before buying.

- Using heating / A/C will reduce EV range noticeably. This is much more noticeable than ICE (where heating will reuse heat from the engine, and A/C is powered by the alternator).

- The PHEVs I've seen don't support DC Fast Charging at all. You can only use L2 chargers or the provided (slower 110V) AC adapter.

- For an EV, DC Fast Charging plugs tend to lock for "safety". A malfunctioning charger can leave you stranded.

- Nobody seems to be selling new PHEV Sedans except Toyota (who released a new Prius Prime this year; not eligible for tax credit under new rules and its charger only goes 16A which is slow even for L2 but would be fine for overnight-charge-at-home-and-commute-to-work use). Honda and Hyundai discontinued PHEVs in 2021, 2022 respectively to focus on just selling EVs and ICEs.

- The tax credit rules changed for cars put into service after April 18th, 2023. Cars must "meet critical mineral and battery component requirements". In particular, certain Teslas are eligible again, only certain PHEVs (currently no sedans) meet the new requirements. [0][1]

[0] https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/credits-for-new-clean...

[1] https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/tax2023.shtml

> EVs are most energy efficient at slower speeds (varies by temperature, but in my experience, in the range of 30-45 mph) whereas ICEs are most efficient at highway speeds (65 mph). The energy consumption at different speeds varies enough that in-car range estimates can be off by a lot.

IMHO, this is the best thing about a hybrid/phev. You can (and your car generally will) use what's best for the conditions and tends to run the ICE at high efficiency when it runs.

> Some PHEVs can recharge the EV battery from the gas engine; others only can recharge the EV battery from being plugged in. Check before buying.

There are several hybrid designs. The style that Toyota calls 'hybrid synergy' style is probably the best. The ICE is directly connected to motor one, the wheels are directly connected the larger motor two, and motor one and two are connected via a planetary gear. This allows for several paths for power to the wheels: the ice can power them alone through the gears, motor 1 can run as a generator and the electricity can power motor two which turns the wheels, and many combinations. Also, electricity from the battery can power one or both motors. This is also somstimes called eCVT, as the effective ratio between the ICE and the wheels depends on what the motors are doing. It's not exclusive to Toyota, Ford and FCA also use this arrangement in some if their hybrids.

My PHEV has a pretty lame battery only range, but the highway range on a single tank is the best of any car that uses gas that I've driven while it also has the smallest tank. It's a 2013 though, and I think PHEV battery only range has incresed in the last decade? Personally, I'm a terrible person and only got a PHEV for the carpool stickers, but it's hard to get rid of it because the fuel costs are so low and it goes two years between oil changes at low usage. When I replace it, it will probably be for another PHEV that can act as a backup generator for my well (240v@30amps, some of the hybrid f-150s will do that, but I want my trucks to be single cab, and I'd rather a smaller truck too)

I think this is a very balanced take. Your point on checking to see if the gas engine will charge the EV battery is really important to keep in mind and I'll make sure I do that.

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