> Meaning, if you don't do much driving, say a short commute or just puttering around on errands, you might be able to get through your day without using the internal combustion engine at all.
The problem is that those cars cost way too much just to drive small distances.
In that case, an e-bike is a cheaper option, possibly as a cargo-bike to haul stuff.

I wonder how far it will go at -25c with the heater and defroster running!

"Charge sustaining" is a common term used to describe a state in a hybrid EV where the charge in the battery is sustained (not used) and the vehicle is powered by the, usually, IC engine. (Regen braking is only distantly involved and they are not the same thing.) In some vehicles, this mode of operation can be at different levels of battery charge. The Chevy Volt has a "hold" mode that when selected, allows the battery charge to be sustained and the car runs with the IC engine turning a generator, making electrical power for the electrical motor to drive the wheels.
Also, the term is "shebang", not "she-bang".
Finally, the Volt has provided good-looking and sporty plug-in hybrid performance at moderate cost since 2011. The Sonata is a nice looking car that adds to the market and I hope this version does better in the marketplace than the last one.

@Aross ,,,, you can go as far as the money lasts. Just stop at the next GAS station after about 300 miles. That's what's nice about a PHEV.

22 miles? So what!

"...the Sonata PHEV is expected to return 38 mpg in the city, 43 mpg on the highway and 40 mpg combined."
Am I missing something here? My diesel Volvo XC70 has exactly the same figures and it's a tank with wheels.

Hyundai makes really nice cars. I wish their would hurry with their HND-9 Genesis Coupe, a hybrid version would be good also.

@Neil Farbstein: "22 miles, so what?" So my job is 2.5 miles from my house; meaning 5 miles a day. This car can take me to work and back on electric alone for 4 straight days.
@Freyr Gunnar: I prefer to commute to work each day regardless of weather. So an e-bike is not a particularly attractive option.
@Pat Pending: It's true that there are many standard fuel cars that match or beat the mileage stats they give. However, as a commuter vehicle, the "mileage" is much higher. Also, as a commuter, we're talking zero emissions. Not saying it's for everyone, but it's nice to see as an option.

the author of this article seems to lead one with the impresion there is only ONE Japanese car mfg that has hybrid cars - in fact there are TWO Japanese mfg that make hybrid cars - Toyota and Honda - the Honda insight has been around for a while - the new one looks a lot like the Prius
and speaking of Honda ... with my 1979 Honda Civic 5 speed with the 1458cc CVCC engine went 425 miles on 10 gallons of gas - 42.5 MPG so I gues the Hyundai Sonata is better - it gets 43 MPG hwy

Wow. My Volt goes 44mi "before you even have to start burning fossil fuels", but its battery is twice as big... go figure. To be totally honest though you should mention that most all electric cars burn fossil fuels, coal usually.