[Neanderthal]

Many People Aren't Plugging In Their PHEVs, According To Study

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are only effective if you keep them charged. Otherwise, they're just a gas-powered hybrid with harmful emissions.

insideevs.com

Why then would people even buy a PHEV if they don't plan to plug it in? Perhaps they thought it would work out differently at the time of purchase, or they just stopped dealing with the plug. However, now with the full $7,500 US federal EV tax credit available for PHEVs even with the slightest electric range, more people will likely buy them. Hopefully, with more education, more people will actually charge them.

Source: Green Car Reports

 

[Ruperts Trooper]

The reason people buy PHEVs in the UK is due to the Benefit-In-Kind (BIK) taxation of company cars - user-choosers pay less tax and don't plug in as their employer only pays for fuel.

 

[rand49er]

This is simply more evidence of how lazy people are.

They'd rather continue to fuel up at gas stations (because they've always done it) than install a silly plug into the side of the car when they get home.

Amazing.

 

[TruckMan]

Maybe the don't feel like paying the $1500+ dollars to install a charger at their house? Or they live in a location where they don't have access to a charger?

 

[Greg Burr]

They probably bought the car on price after the tax credit vs the conventional model. Installing the plug may cost too much money, maybe they live in an apartment.

 

[TruckMan]

Subtitle of the article:

If you don't plug in your PHEV, you're not only losing money, but also emitting harmful exhaust fumes into the environment."

When in fact you lost money as soon as you bought the PHEV as opposed to a conventional ICE. It should say "you're not only losing MORE money". And then there are all those SCARY exhaust fumes!

 

[nota2]

Maybe the don't feel like paying the $1500+ dollars to install a charger at their house? Or they live in a location where they don't have access to a charger?

Maybe they’re too stupid to understand the simple realities to successfully owning an EV

 

[Neanderthal]

Subtitle of the article:

If you don't plug in your PHEV, you're not only losing money, but also emitting harmful exhaust fumes into the environment."

When in fact you lost money as soon as you bought the PHEV as opposed to a conventional ICE. It should say "you're not only losing MORE money". And then there are all those SCARY exhaust fumes!

Bwaaa haaaa haaaa haaaaa! "Harmful exhaust fumes" are called Western Civilization. Enjoy!

 

[BlackGTP]

I agree with both the lazy and tax credit comments above. A third thought popped into my head - we have people that buy sports cars but never break 70 mph - they are buying for the image. Perhaps some people are buying to get that badge and image?

 

[TruckMan]

Maybe they’re too stupid to understand the simple realities to successfully owning an EV

That's probably it. I mean, you have to question one's cognitive ability if they're going to pay more for a vehicle with obvious shortfalls compared to their ICE counterpart. And then not go through the correct step be a successful owner? What are they thinking?

 

[BlackGTP]

Of course, there is always the survey itself - were the questions clearly written and clear choices for a response provided? I've seen many surveys where the choices for answers don't fit how I want to respond or I'm not clear on the question I'm responding to.

 

[eaton53]

Maybe the don't feel like paying the $1500+ dollars to install a charger at their house?

PHEVs don't need big chargers. The batteries aren't that large.
The cord that comes with the car and a wall plug gets it done overnight.
I plug mine in every day.

Or they live in a location where they don't have access to a charger?

It's a pretty dumb person that buys a plug in car with no place to plug it in.

 

[Greg Burr]

PHEVs don't need big chargers. The batteries aren't that large.
The cord that comes with the car and a wall plug gets it done overnight.
I plug mine in every day.



It's a pretty dumb person that buys a plug in car with no place to plug it in.

Could be, "I wanted the hybrid but I could not find one readily available with color and features that the plugin had, and I needed to get something fast, like in this tax year. Maybe I will charge at work, if it is cost effective, or maybe I don't trust other chargers. I'll get around to the home charger when I complete the wife's home project. Anyway it's nice to know that it's there."

 

[rand49er]

Subtitle of the article:

If you don't plug in your PHEV, you're not only losing money, but also emitting harmful exhaust fumes into the environment."

When in fact you lost money as soon as you bought the PHEV as opposed to a conventional ICE. It should say "you're not only losing MORE money". And then there are all those SCARY exhaust fumes!

Nowadays, cars emit almost exclusively water vapor and CO2 and very, very little hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen. To say they're "fumes" is stretching it.

 

[AWHoden]

Why then would people even buy a PHEV if they don't plan to plug it in?

Good question. People are stoopid?

 

[TruckMan]

Nowadays, cars emit almost exclusively water vapor and CO2 and very, very little hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen. To say they're "fumes" is stretching it.

Agreed. Of course some people also think that CO2 is a harmful "fume."

 

[big swede]

This is simply more evidence of how lazy people are.

They'd rather continue to fuel up at gas stations (because they've always done it) than install a silly plug into the side of the car when they get home.

Amazing.

I’m sure that’s a big part of it but in other countries around the world street parking is much more common so any type of charging might be a pain.

However if there are financial incentives just to owning one people will do that even if they are not using the technology to its full capabilities.

 

[BlackGTP]

Agreed. Of course some people also think that CO2 is a harmful "fume."

Isn't CO2 the reason we don't run our cars in a closed garage?

 

[Greg Burr]

Isn't CO2 the reason we don't run our cars in a closed garage?

CO.

 

[AWHoden]

Isn't CO2 the reason we don't run our cars in a closed garage?

Carbon Monoxide, but yes, too much Carbon Dioxide will kill you too.