PHEV

The current-generation Mitsubishi Outlander was introduced in 2014 and a plug-in hybrid model (PHEV) arrived shortly thereafter. The PHEV combines the best of both worlds, offering the experience of all-electric driving with the assurance of longer range via a gasoline engine. We jumped behind the wheel to put it through its paces.

The new 2020 Ford Escape Plug-In Hybrid model, announced last year, has finally entered showrooms in the US. Using Ford's fourth-generation hybrid technology, the Escape PHEV is rated at 100 MPGe (2.4 l/100km).

Volvo is known for safety, but consistently delivers some of the more well-designed luxury vehicles in the American market as well. With the 2020 S60, Volvo has found a sweet spot that combines luxury, safety, and daily driveability in a small sedan.

While the world waits for electrics to improve their range and charge time figures, the plug-in hybrid is a terrific compromise. Ford has released a plug-in hybrid version of its new Escape SUV that allows fully electric city driving and extended range gasoline touring when necessary.

Mitsubishi is going plug-crazy at Geneva, with the new Engelberg Tourer next-generation sport utility concept. The vehicle incorporates the Dendo Drive House System, which creates an energy ecosystem between a home and an electric vehicle.

BMW’s i division has launched a wireless charging system for plug-in hybrids. The factory-fitted, fully-integrated inductive charging system is a world-first. BMW says that production for BMW Wireless Charging will begin in July and is available for order now, for the 530e iPerformance model.

​Electric three-wheeled scooters that tilt into turns occupy one of the more interesting spaces when it comes to futuristic vehicle design. Peugeot's new hybrid scooter is no exception, built to weave its way through urban centers and hum along at freeway speeds when the time is right.​

BMW is busy electricking all kinds of things. The latest is the MINI Countryman hybrid, the first of the British brand’s line to get a power cord and go mainstream. Unlike MINI EV experiments of the past, the Countryman PHEV retains all of the good qualities of the (wait for it) biggest MINI.

In an effort to bring the fuel consumption and emissions benefits of plug-in hybrid technologies to heavy duty vehicles in the construction industry, Chinese companies Efficient Drivetrains, Inc. (EDI) and Shannxi Automotive have teamed up to develop the world's first PHEV cement mixer truck.

Plug-in hybrids promise serious benefits for anyone who spends lots of time sitting in traffic, but the technology hasn't taken hold in the world of commercial vehicles just yet. Ford is hoping to change that with its new Transit PHEV, which will be put to the test in London this year.

Taking inspiration from nature, engineers at the UC Riverside have found a way to cut the fuel consumption of many PHEVs by over 30 percent, just by changing the way the split between combustion engine and battery power is handled.

Starting in July 2016, BMW will begin using the iPerformance designation on all of its plug-in hybrid vehicles. The iPerformance sub-brand will be debuted at the Geneva Motor Show on the BMW 7 Series plug-in hybrid, which will be called the 740e iPerformance.