Mitsubishi Australia boss: Why PHEV is the hybrid worth having
The boss of one of Australia’s biggest vehicle distributors says EVs aren’t the only way to a cleaner future.
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As CEO of Mitsubishi Motors Australia, I have the privilege of speaking to people both inside and outside the automotive industry every day.
Unsurprisingly, the conversation almost always turns to vehicles and EV technology.
As Australia works toward our 2030 and 2050 emissions targets, these conversations are more important than ever. The path to Net Zero will be driven by technology – and there is more than one way to get there.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are often seen as the ultimate solution – and we’re proudly launching a new one next year – but they are not the only answer.
In the race toward a cleaner, greener transport future, Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) represent a smart and practical choice for many Australians.
When people hear the word hybrid, they often think of traditional hybrid vehicles – cars powered primarily by a petrol engine, supported by a small battery and electric motor. These batteries charge through regenerative braking and the internal combustion engine, with no need to plug in.
While the petrol engine in a hybrid vehicle is always in use, it will produce lower fuel emissions than a standard vehicle with an internal combustion engine.
PHEVs, in contrast, can be plugged in – combining a significantly larger battery than a standard hybrid, while still retaining an on-board generator that can recharge the battery when needed. And that’s the key distinction between PHEVs and hybrids: with a hybrid you are never travelling in pure electric mode – there is always reliance on petrol.
But with a PHEV, you can drive in 100 per cent electric mode and for many Australians, use zero fuel on daily commutes.
In Australia, the average daily commute is just 35km – often to drop the kids at school, drive to work, and stop at the shops on the way home. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV delivers up to 84km of EV range – easily covering most people’s daily needs without using a drop of petrol.
In fact, our customer surveys show that 81 per cent of trips in a PHEV are completed in electric mode. Personally, I drive on battery 98 per cent of the time – thanks to solar panels at home and at work.
Unlike fully-electric vehicles, PHEVs don’t need expensive chargers. You can plug them into a regular socket overnight – just like your mobile phone. And when a longer journey is required – whether a family trip interstate or to the outback in search of adventure – the on-board generator takes over without the anxiety of trying to find a charger.
This is why we believe PHEVs are perfectly suited to the Australian landscape and lifestyle.
PHEV technology is the best of both worlds: benefits of electric driving with the flexibility of an on-board generator when you need it.
Think of them as electric cars with a built-in safety net. This is important, because only 15 per cent of Australians agree with the statement: “It’s easy to find a place to plug in and recharge my vehicle”.
At Mitsubishi, we’re proud to offer vehicles that support adventure and sustainability.
Our PHEVs give drivers the freedom to go anywhere, anytime – while immediately reducing fuel emissions. They also help overcome one of the biggest barriers to electric vehicle adoption: charging anxiety. It’s a challenge that won’t be fully addressed until public charging infrastructure is more widely available.
They’re also future-ready.
Mitsubishi PHEVs come with bi-directional charging – meaning your vehicle can power your home or even feed energy back to the grid. You don’t need to invest in a separate home battery – you already have one in your driveway with a Mitsubishi badge on the front!
Although this technology is just beginning to roll out across Australia, early adoption has been strong. The Australian Renewable Energy Agency predicts bi-directional charging could be as widespread as rooftop solar, with up to 2.6 million residential installations by 2040.
With solar, if you don’t use it, you lose it – and PHEVs can store the energy for you until you need it.
As a side-note, Mitsubishi was the first manufacturer to bring a PHEV SUV to market. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV launched in 2013, became a global bestseller, and the nameplate was one of the top-two best-selling PHEVs in Australia last year.
So if you’re in the market for a new vehicle – one that reduces your fuel costs, removes range anxiety, and can even power your home – make sure you consider our PHEV EOFY offers!
Originally published as Mitsubishi Australia boss: Why PHEV is the hybrid worth having
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