You may not be maximizing the efficiency of your PHEV
One major issue with the way the EPA conducts fuel economy tests is that the tests are conducted in a manner that does not mimic real-world driving. The vehicle is run on the dyno for a specific amount of time and at a specific speed, yielding official EPA fuel efficiency figures. To match EPA fuel efficiency numbers for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), a vehicle would need to be fully replenished with both electrics, but in the real world this is not done and fuel efficiency increases for owners. It can get worse and increase emissions. .
According to a new study from the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), green car report The distance that a PHEV can travel entirely on electricity could be reduced by 25% to 65% compared to what regulators had envisioned. This gives you 42% to 67% more fuel economy than the official EPA numbers found on your car’s window sticker. The study derived these figures based on self-reported fuel economy figures from Fuelly.com and engine off mileage data driven by the California Department of Automotive Repair (BAR).
To get the best fuel economy from a PHEV, owners should charge their vehicles and replenish their battery packs as often as possible. But unlike fully electric vehicles, where charging is mandatory, this is not the case with PHEVs. PHEVs can run on gasoline, so they don’t need to be recharged regularly like pure EVs. Driving on gasoline is more convenient for the owner, but less efficient. There is no primary explanation as to why the PHEV owner is choosing not to charge his vehicle, but the lack of available chargers may be his one reason.
The ICCT provides several recommendations on how the EPA obtains actual fuel efficiency figures for PHEVs. The organization believes regulators should look into the actual mileage her PHEV owner has driven in all-electric mode. The EPA can apparently do this by collecting data “through its in-flight diagnostic reporting requirements.”
Additionally, the organization recommends setting minimum electrical range requirements for PHEVs.As green car report As you point out, California has coverage requirements for zero-emission vehicle credits under the Advanced Clean Car II standard. In the future, California will require PHEVs to have a range of 50 miles based on specific test cycles. At the moment, Toyota RAV4 Prime It has one of the longest ranges of any PHEV on the market, with an all-electric range of 42 miles.
Analysts have some suggestions for making PHEVs more like EVs so owners need more charging. Some suggestions include maximizing the size of gas tanks, requiring PHEVs to have fast-charging capabilities, and minimizing the amount of power drawn from all-electric parts of the powertrain. will be
Most consumers would prefer to buy a PHEV over a pure EV, but studies like this show that PHEVs are not always the most efficient option on the market. In 2020, a report from an environmental group called Transport & Environment found that the actual emissions from his PHEV in Europe are much higher than official estimates. green car report.
sauce: green car report
http://www.carsdirect.com/automotive-news/awards-and-research/you-may-not-be-maximizing-your-phev-s-efficiency You may not be maximizing the efficiency of your PHEV
