Results from a Mitsubishi study have given Australians insight into our plug-in hybrid EV (PHEV) buying habits are evolving.
The survey was commissioned by Mitsubishi Motors Australia in 2021 and undertaken by Platform One.
The results revealed that Mitsubishi’s PHEV technology delivered the best of both worlds, with owners using pure EV mode over 80 per cent of the time, significantly reducing CO2 emissions without the need for extensive charging infrastructure.
SEE MORE: Car news
As the Australian automotive industry adapts to reducing emissions and with the government’s New Vehicle Efficiency Standard in place, Mitsubishi continues to invest in PHEV technology. The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid EV now offers an electric range of up to 84 km (ADR 81/02) and a combined range exceeding 800 km.
Into the outland
The new Outlander PHEV has bolstered Mitsubishi’s sales, with PHEVs now making up 20 per cent of Outlander sales in 2024, compared to under 5 per cent in previous generations. Additionally, the Eclipse Cross PHEV has contributed 27 per cent of Eclipse Cross sales, leading Mitsubishi to hold 43 per cent of the Australian PHEV market as of August 2024.
A recent survey by Platform One of Mitsubishi PHEV owners showed that Outlander PHEV owners use EV mode 81 per cent of the time, while Eclipse Cross PHEV owners use it 75 per cent of the time. Most charge their vehicles daily, with 97 per cent of Outlander and 96 per cent of Eclipse Cross owners using home charging, often through a domestic socket.
PHEV charging behaviours help prepare owners for future Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) purchases, as they become accustomed to monitoring the state of charge and the benefits of overnight charging.
Mitsubishi PHEV owners value the ability to drive short distances in EV mode while retaining the flexibility for longer trips without range anxiety. Many view PHEVs as a stepping stone towards fully electric vehicles, citing lower running costs as a key reason for their purchase. According to the survey, 92 per cent of owners agreed that using EV mode improved fuel economy and reduced the need to visit fuel stations, while Mitsubishi’s market-leading 10-year warranty and capped-price servicing program further enhanced ownership satisfaction.
With PHEV technology driving strong conquest sales for Mitsubishi, two-thirds of owners intend to keep their vehicles for over five years, highlighting the real-world benefits of this transition technology.