Mitsubishi slams policies on plug-in hybrids

Mitsubishi has released research highlighting the benefits of plug-in hybrid ownership in Australia amid claims state and territory governments are “ignoring” the technology by favouring full-electric cars in recent policy announcements.

The ‘Road to Net Zero Emissions White Paper’ released by the Japanese brand this week also spruiks PHEV’s role as a transition technology to full battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) – both in Australia and abroad.

Plug-in hybrid technology combines a conventional petrol or diesel engine with an electric motor for partial or full battery assistance – usually up to 100km in EV range – together with the convenience of traditional long-journey capability on an internal combustion engine.

Citing an independent survey of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV owners in Australia, the car-maker’s white paper found plug-in hybrid drivers spent 84 per cent of their daily commute in full-electric mode, and that drivers who travel less than 25,000km a year could theoretically complete 100 per cent of their daily commuting with zero tailpipe emissions using a PHEV.

“As this data indicates, switching to PHEVs would help Australia to accelerate reductions in emissions before 2030 – specifically it would take the average driver 84 per cent down the road to zero immediately,” Mitsubishi said.

“In addition to this, it can also assist the transition to EVs for Australian drivers by familiarising them with EV technology and its benefits while overcoming the barriers to entry.

“The uncertainty regarding Australia’s ability to cut CO2 emissions by 2030, the debate regarding the 2050 climate change timeline, along with growing public concern about climate change supports the case for immediate action.

“PHEV is available now to meet the moment and reduce vehicle-related CO2 emissions.”

As carsales has detailed in our report ‘Do EV incentives apply to plug-in hybrid cars?’, PHEVs are often missing out on a broad range of fronts as states and territories design and implement policies for encouraging the uptake of electric cars.

At the same time, controversial EV road user taxes – already underway in Victoria, with other states preparing to follow suit – could hit PHEV owners, and car-makers selling them, particularly hard.

That’s because slugging PHEV owners with a road user charge while also hitting them at the bowser via the existing petrol excise can be viewed as a double penalty, and could prompt buyers to avoid PHEVs altogether.

 “While PHEVs are classified by the states and territories as an EV variant and offer a range of immediate benefits including access to existing infrastructure and an affordable entry price, emerging Australian state government policies do not support it on an equal footing with the other two main variants: battery-electric (BEV) and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV),” Mitsubishi said.

“This is despite both BEV and FCEV being new or emerging technologies that require significant infrastructure investment, offering limited utility for Australian drivers, and being unaffordable for many.

“This emerging state-level policy and legislation is creating a patchwork, which further risks the country’s progress, potentially placing Australia’s net-zero goal by 2050 and the planet at risk.”

Mitsubishi currently offers two plug-in hybrid models in Australia – the Outlander PHEV (from $47,990) and the soon-to-be-released Eclipse Cross PHEV (from $46,490).

Elsewhere, car-makers including Volkswagen and its sister brand Cupra, Kia and Hyundai are all increasingly embracing PHEV technology as part of a broader suite of new drivetrain technology.

Luxury marques including BMW, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz have already rolled out PHEV versions of their most popular models locally.

Speaking to media, including carsales, at the Munich motor show this week, Mercedes-AMG chief technical officer Jochen Hermann said: “The long-range plug-in hybrid, if you get up to 100km WLTP, means you can get 70-80km in the real world.

“Up to 100km takes care of everyone’s need, more or less, from Monday to Friday going back to work. But you still have a car that can go places where charging is not omnipresent.”

Last year, Greenpeace described PHEVs as a “wolf in sheep’s clothing” after analysis found the technology emitted almost three times the carbon emissions claimed in laboratory testing based on real-world habits of drivers.

Car-makers have also conceded the long-term viability of the PHEV drivetrain will be limited by new electric architecture that isn’t compatible with internal combustion engines.

However, Mitsubishi says PHEVs have far-reaching benefits until that stage, including the ability to provide power to the home and even an act as a generator during extreme weather events or natural disasters – a concept showcased in the white paper by its Dendo Drive House.

Mitsubishi Australia’s marketing and operations director Rob Nazzari believes that while EVs comprise such a small proportion of the Australian market, and are subject to inferior infrastructure and big pricing premiums, PHEVs should be supported in government policy.

 “Today, we are proud that our PHEVs are an affordable and practical choice for South Australian households when compared to many EVs. If our customers could access them utilising a subsidy, our entry level plug-in hybrid EV would be within a whisker of the $41,000 average purchase price for new vehicles in Australia,” he said.

“They can also help fast-track the future uptake of EVs by familiarising consumers with the technology. Eighty-three per cent of Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV owners say they will opt for an EV as their next vehicle.”