Mitsubishi has published the results of a survey of Mitsubishi owners which it says reveals “the meaningful role that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) play in decarbonisation of transport.” Mitsubishi, of course, being a manufacturer whose lifeblood is the tax-friendly Outlander PHEV, which makes up the vast majority of its sales.
Still, the survey does have some meaningful things to say by virtue of the sample, which comprised Mitsubishi drivers split half and half between Outlander PHEV owners and those with conventional petrol or diesel cars. It seems that the Outlander squad is far more willing to choose a full electric vehicle next time around than those in the conventional stuff: 70% said they would, compared to just 27% of the other group.
Almost half (48%) of Outlander PHEV drivers said they actually considered an electric car before buying their Outlander, but chose not to mainly because of range anxiety, while just 9% of those who eventually chose internal combustion engine (ICE) cars had considered going electric.
It’s not clear exactly what it is about the Outlander PHEV that makes owners more confident about buying a full electric car next time around, because its existence makes no difference to the suitability of an EV for their needs; range anxiety is a real issue for potential EV drivers, of course, but quite how that’s assuaged by driving a PHEV more so than driving a standard car, that’s a qualitative issue that’s not explored by Mitsubishi. Perhaps it’s to do with the very idea of electric propulsion, which is still a nascent and novel thing?
Mitsubishi UK MD Rob Lindley explains: “This latest research reinforces the fact that PHEVs are a gateway to an all-EV future. Consumers still harbour concerns about pure electric vehicle range, affordability and relying on the nascent nature of the charging infrastructure in the UK, all of which can be addressed by PHEVs while these issues are resolved over time.
“In the interim, PHEVs can help both the industry and government make an immediate impact on climate change and air quality, especially in urban areas, and speed up the acceptance of electrified vehicles.”
PHEVs are tax efficient, for sure, but their real world fuel economy has been shown to be significantly lower than claimed – the Outlander achieves only 43% of the quoted figure according to these statistics.
That said, the stats don’t lie and if, for whatever reason, Outlander PHEV buyers do feel encouraged to go full electric as a result of their experience that’s a good thing. Sadly they’ll be unlikely to have a Mitsubishi as an option in any event, with the company recently declaring that it is to withdraw from the European market altogether as a result of catastrophic losses. Read our story on that by clicking this lovely blue text.
Keyword: “Plug-in hybrids are important” says Mitsubishi survey of Mitsubishi plug-in hybrid drivers