Ars TechnicaAutomakers hedge their bets with plug-in hybrids as EV sales slow
Originally regarded as stopgap solutions, hybrids are in it for the long haul.
Narcogen@arstechnica did a hybrid write this
Olle Gladsø@arstechnica Maybe the EV sales are temporarily slowing in the US.
However, in the rest of the world, where they get good EVs, sales are brisk.
Why would you want a vehicle with double the complexity instead of a simple EV?
However, in the rest of the world, where they get good EVs, sales are brisk.
Why would you want a vehicle with double the complexity instead of a simple EV?
Kellic Tiger 
@Gladso @arstechnica mostly due to the piss poor state of EV chargers in the US. The reality is sure there are a lot of EV chargers but they are slow crappy systems that barely work. And now that's Tesla has basically rolled back their dev team who were working on the superchargers. Don't expect Tesla to save the US when it comes to charging networks. The simple fact of the matter is hybrids, while not as good as EVs allow you to go further. And simply put it takes 5 minutes to "charge" a hybrid at the gas station. I keep having to remind everyone that ICE vehicles have had over a hundred years of development. Both from an infrastructure standpoint and design standpoint. EVs have been around in bulk for about let's be generous and call it 15 years. And that's being exceedingly generous. It will get there as we HAVE to move to a different method of powering transportation. But it is going to take time.
Ryan Fraley@KellicTiger @Gladso @arstechnica Akio was making some good points TBH. That said third party charger providers have to step up their game. That market can be profitable once the capital costs are paid down.
@fraydog @Gladso @arstechnica they need to at least start their game. Because I have a couple friends who have EV's and consistently one of the biggest is Electrify America. And they are solid crap. They consistently have problems getting their EV to communicate with the station.
@KellicTiger @Gladso @arstechnica EA should hire Tinucci to run their network once the non compete expires
@Gladso @arstechnica Hybrid systems have been running reliably for two decades on the Prius. Also lots of rural places don’t have adequate charging infrastructure yet. This will take time.
Joby (chaotic good)@arstechnica honestly plug in hybrids make a lot of sense in a lot of the US given our sprawling size and lack of non car transportation options. If I were in the market for a new car that’s what I’d be looking at. Effectively an EV for grocery getting, but I can just use gas when I drive 11 hours in a day (which I do somewhat regularly)? Sign me up.
Tom BortelsI love my plug-in hybrid (2018 Toyota Prius Plus). I have a full EV for about 25 miles - which most days is enough - and when it's not, my full-tank range is nearly 600 miles and I can refill the 10 gallon tank in 5 minutes, anywhere. Best of both worlds.