Plug-in electric vehicles are here to stay in the auto industry, considering the recently proposed vehicle pollution standards by the Environmental Protection Agency. However, most automakers do not have plans to boost their PHEV choices volume, per Green Car Reports citing the US Department of Energy.
EVs increased from 20 to 38 various models in a year
For the first time since 2014, the DOE discovered that the number of EV models outnumbered PHEV models when it came to light-duty vehicles. The count jumped from 20 to 38 different EV models in only one year, from 2021 to 2022. Additionally, fewer PHEV vehicles were produced in 2022 than a year earlier.
The DOE claims that despite some models having several configurations, it only tallied each model name once when determining the total number of models.
Since about 2018, EVs have been significantly outselling PHEVs in sales. By the end of 2022, EV sales in the United States were around 6%, while PHEV sales were just over 1%.
EPA’s 2027-2032 proposal
Plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are still highlighted in the EPA’s proposal for vehicle emissions from 2027 to 2032 as alternate compliance options for automakers as part of a “technology-neutral” strategy. California’s Advanced Clean Cars II (ACCII) regulations, which take effect in 2026, will require plug-in hybrids to have a real-world electric range of at least 50 miles.
It is also worth noting that automakers and authorities have promoted PHEVs as an integral component of a response to tighter pollution regulations. However, recent studies by the European environmental organization Transport & Environment (T&E) revealed that certain PHEVs emit more CO2 than their official CO2 ratings when used in real-world situations.
Remarkably, Volvo has hastened its plug-in hybrid lineup while increasing its EV offerings. Earlier this month, Japanese automaker Toyota disclosed that it aims to increase its plug-in hybrid electric range to 125 miles and beyond (200+ km). Furthermore, Volkswagen just made the first mention of plug-in hybrids as a viable option for the US market following the diesel disaster and the ensuing EV push.
The fact that plug-in hybrid specifications haven’t kept up with demand over time may be a contributing factor to the market’s stagnation. Nonetheless, some of these vehicles accelerate faster than their gasoline-only equivalents.
