Mitsubishi PHEV Owners Drive Mostly in EV Mode Study Finds

In 2021, Mitsubishi Motors Australia commissioned Platform One to survey its Plug-In Hybrid EV (PHEV) owners. The findings revealed that Mitsubishi’s PHEV technology delivers the best of both worlds, with owners driving in pure electric mode over 80% of the time, cutting CO2 emissions without needing additional charging infrastructure.

Since then, the Australian car market has shifted as manufacturers look to reduce tailpipe emissions, spurred on by the government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard. Mitsubishi has doubled down on PHEVs, launching the 2022 Outlander Plug-In Hybrid EV with up to 84km of electric range and a total range of over 800km.

Despite initial supply challenges, the new Outlander PHEV has helped the Outlander rank among Australia’s top 10 vehicles, with PHEVs now making up 20% of its sales. Eclipse Cross PHEV has also contributed, accounting for 27% of Eclipse Cross sales. Overall, Mitsubishi holds 43% of the Australian PHEV market.

To understand evolving PHEV trends, Mitsubishi expanded its survey with Platform One, growing the sample size to 800 PHEV owners and potential buyers. The research revealed that Outlander PHEV owners use EV mode 81% of the time, while Eclipse Cross PHEV owners use it 75%, significantly reducing their tailpipe emissions compared to traditional petrol cars. These figures stand out compared to European PHEV owners, who typically use electric mode around 45-49% of the time.

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ABOVE: Mitsubishi PHEV

Most Mitsubishi PHEV owners charge their cars daily, with 97% using home charging, highlighting the convenience of charging overnight using a standard domestic socket. This ease of charging prepares owners for a future transition to fully electric vehicles (BEVs) as technology and infrastructure improve.

Mitsubishi’s research also found that PHEV owners see these vehicles as a bridge to fully electric cars, balancing short-range EV use with the flexibility of a petrol engine for longer trips. Many owners chose PHEVs over BEVs due to cost and infrastructure limitations, making PHEVs a practical choice in today’s market considering the price and availability of public charging.

When asked about their top reasons for choosing an Outlander or Eclipse Cross PHEV, owners ranked lower running costs, fit-for-purpose design, and Mitsubishi’s warranty as their top considerations. Additionally, 92% agreed that running costs are reduced by charging the battery, and using EV mode improved real-world fuel efficiency.

Notably, 62% of Outlander PHEV owners and 64% of Eclipse Cross PHEV owners were new to Mitsubishi, showing how the technology is driving customer growth. With many owners planning to keep their PHEV for over five years, the research highlighted how educated owners have become about maximising their vehicle’s efficiency through features like regenerative braking and charge mode.

In short, Mitsubishi PHEV owners claim to be enjoying the benefits of short-range electric driving without worrying about charging infrastructure, while also lowering running costs and reducing emissions.