Compelling perspective for PHEVs vs BEVs…
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 11,057
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From: FL
No doubt Phevs are more complex mechanically than a BEV, no way arount it.
Are they more complex electrically?
That may depend more on the mfg than anything else.
In my line of work I've seen things ridiculously over engineered and complicated when they didn't need to be. Lol
Are they more complex electrically?
That may depend more on the mfg than anything else.
In my line of work I've seen things ridiculously over engineered and complicated when they didn't need to be. Lol
Last edited by Margate330; Aug 20, 2025 at 10:15 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3,958
Likes: 409
i do. the garage ornament. i am looking at 'future options'.
Whats its potential replacement?
it's true that trips take a little bit of pre-planning. for some that's unacceptable. i bet objections would continue even if ev's took 5 minutes from 0-100% and had 500mi. of range.
500 miles of range and 5 min recharge, count me in!!
most humans don't want to go 4 1/2 hrs without a stop.
My family and I have healthy bladders 🚽
that's because you drive more distance than a commercial truck driver.
i think a lucid air with the 512mile range option or cadillac iq or other big gm range vehicle would work for you though. 
Watched this video today and I really like it https://youtu.be/emoDCMBaNNU?si=nuXAla5iRUP8FbIa
can we leave out gas anecdotes please? nothing to do with this sub-forum.
Doesn’t a PHEV take gas or is the EV side the only portion allowed to be discussed?
For me living in California, being able to charge at home, plenty of supercharging, almost zero maintenance, with the ability to beat most expensive sports cars, use it as a daily commuter and not having to ever visit a stinky *** gas station...ever, it's a no brainer. And if you live in a state that forces you to drive a gas car or hybrid, I feel sorry for you. Sorry about sounding so dismissive, but I ain't ever going back to old technology. No flip phones, no Blackberry, no dial up Internet 
There is nothing complex about a PHEV? Are we in clown world? A gas car is extremely complex hundreds of moving parts. Engine, transmission, exhaust, emissions all expensive and complex. And highly prone to failure as the car ages especially emissions equipment. Then you add a battery pack and everything that supports it PLUS electronics that have to blend the gas and electric components. You can argue all day how amazing a PHEV is but you can't make the ludicrous claim that there is nothing complicated about it.
🎪🎢
My 164k mile Prius has only required gas, oil changes, rotating and replacing a set of tires. Nothing complex about it. If the hybrid battery were size you find in a PHEV, would that make it more complex? On a PHEV what’s complicated about it:
You drive it
You can pump gas
You can charge it
You can do just 1
You can do both
If one fails, you have the option to use the other.
Ask me how I know.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Alberta
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
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From: ON/NY
Watched this video review from Harry’s Garage about his PHEV Range Rover Sport and he makes some really good points about PHEVs vs EVs. With the Pacifica we rarely drive on gas with 35 miles of EV range, but with this thing getting 65 miles and having better power out of the full EV mode, I gotta say he makes good points about a full EV being a tough sell from a practicality perspective give. 65 miles of EV range we would never use fuel except on a trip
https://youtu.be/YTPvw7i7EPA?si=sJ-vOsmdLKvf5Yiq
https://youtu.be/YTPvw7i7EPA?si=sJ-vOsmdLKvf5Yiq
From the manufacturers viewpoint, cars can be tuned in unique ways that give a distinct brand experience because of the gas motor. One can buy an ultra efficient plug in car and one can drive a twin turbo S Class AMG63e with AMG exhausts. Lexus halo couple has sound pumped into the cabin…that glorious V8 sounds wonderful..very hard to replicate sound
all of the above is very difficult to achieve with an all electric BEV. Electric motors make no noise or vibration, a lot of drivers find that boring
Manufactures are starting to make gas/hybrid and BEV off the same design. That’s good for consumers.
Harrys Garage is one of the best shows on YT
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Aug 20, 2025 at 07:14 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,434
Likes: 3,660
From: California
PHEV are better for the owner as they have access to two completely different driving experiences. Gas hybrid or EV. And its selectable for the driver. A long range is always a good thing. Some PHEVs have a range of 600 miles. An F150 PHEV would be better for the owner than a full BEV F150.
From the manufacturers viewpoint, cars can be tuned in unique ways that give a distinct brand experience because of the gas motor. One can buy an ultra efficient plug in car and one can drive a twin turbo S Class AMG63e with AMG exhausts. Lexus halo couple has sound pumped into the cabin…that glorious V8 sounds wonderful
all of the above is very difficult to achieve with an all electric BEV. Electric motors make no noise or vibration, a lot of drivers find that boring
Manufactures are starting to make gas/hybrid and BEV off the same design. That’s good for consumers.
Harrys Garage is one of the best shows on YT
From the manufacturers viewpoint, cars can be tuned in unique ways that give a distinct brand experience because of the gas motor. One can buy an ultra efficient plug in car and one can drive a twin turbo S Class AMG63e with AMG exhausts. Lexus halo couple has sound pumped into the cabin…that glorious V8 sounds wonderful
all of the above is very difficult to achieve with an all electric BEV. Electric motors make no noise or vibration, a lot of drivers find that boring
Manufactures are starting to make gas/hybrid and BEV off the same design. That’s good for consumers.
Harrys Garage is one of the best shows on YT
For me living in California, being able to charge at home, plenty of supercharging, almost zero maintenance, with the ability to beat most expensive sports cars, use it as a daily commuter and not having to ever visit a stinky *** gas station...ever, it's a no brainer.
For me living in Florida, being able to charge at home, plenty of all kinds of charging, almost zero maintenance, with the ability to beat most expensive sports cars, use it as a daily commuter and not having to ever visit a stinky *** gas station...ever, it's a no brainer.[/QUOTE]
congrats.
fyi, and not a crisis, but if you insert comments inside your quoted version of my post, i don't get those comments when replying making conversation more challenging.so pasted here to respond...
me: i do. the garage ornament. i am looking at 'future options'.
you: Whats its potential replacement?
not getting into that because of the predictable trolling no matter what might be a 'potential'.
me: most humans don't want to go 4 1/2 hrs without a stop.
you: My family and I have healthy bladders 🚽
i don't think it's healthy to do that. i don't like flying that long or longer without at least getting up, stretching, and yeah, bio breaks.
me: that's because you drive more distance than a commercial truck driver.
i think a lucid air with the 512mile range option or cadillac iq or other big gm range vehicle would work for you though. you: Watched this video today and I really like it (GMC Sierra ev)
nice... so when are you replacing your tundra with one?
me: can we leave out gas anecdotes please? nothing to do with this sub-forum.
you: Doesn’t a PHEV take gas or is the EV side the only portion allowed to be discussed?
your comments had nothing to do with a phev.
My 164k mile Prius has only required gas, oil changes, rotating and replacing a set of tires. Nothing complex about it.
On a PHEV what’s complicated about it:
You drive it
You can pump gas
You can charge it
You can do just 1
You can do both
You drive it
You can pump gas
You can charge it
You can do just 1
You can do both
PHEV are better for the owner as they have access to two completely different driving experiences. Gas hybrid or EV. And its selectable for the driver. A long range is always a good thing. Some PHEVs have a range of 600 miles. An F150 PHEV would be better for the owner than a full BEV F150.
Harrys Garage is one of the best shows on YT
he's the last person i'd take a recommendation from.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3,958
Likes: 409
For me living in Florida, being able to charge at home, plenty of all kinds of charging, almost zero maintenance, with the ability to beat most expensive sports cars, use it as a daily commuter and not having to ever visit a stinky *** gas station...ever, it's a no brainer.
congrats.
fyi, and not a crisis, but if you insert comments inside your quoted version of my post, i don't get those comments when replying making conversation more challenging.so pasted here to respond...
me: i do. the garage ornament. i am looking at 'future options'.
you: Whats its potential replacement?
not getting into that because of the predictable trolling no matter what might be a 'potential'.
me: most humans don't want to go 4 1/2 hrs without a stop.
you: My family and I have healthy bladders 🚽
i don't think it's healthy to do that. i don't like flying that long or longer without at least getting up, stretching, and yeah, bio breaks.
me: that's because you drive more distance than a commercial truck driver.
i think a lucid air with the 512mile range option or cadillac iq or other big gm range vehicle would work for you though. you: Watched this video today and I really like it (GMC Sierra ev)
nice... so when are you replacing your tundra with one?
me: can we leave out gas anecdotes please? nothing to do with this sub-forum.
you: Doesn’t a PHEV take gas or is the EV side the only portion allowed to be discussed?
your comments had nothing to do with a phev.
yet you say an EV is boring. lmao
you're referring to operational complexity, and that's not what others are talking about... the HOW a phev does what it does and the fact that it's 2 drivetrains.
so when are you getting one?
[/QUOTE]
You race your Hyundai vs expensive sports cars? Whats your best kill to date?
On flights, I’m up for takeoff and landing only. The in between…😴😴😴
Replacing the tried and true, strong resale 3UR tundra with the EV Sierra when I can pull into the charging station and charge with my trailer still on the hitch. However, if Toyota makes a PHEV Tundra, the leash on my 3UR may get even shorter. I still like the EV Sierra but I’m a Toyota fanboy at heart. 😆
If you’re not ripping the EV red light to red light or accelerating fast out of turns where’s the fun? Serious question. I say that because that’s how I drive the Supra or how I’m running through the gears in my track car.
Last edited by BayeauxLex; Aug 21, 2025 at 06:06 AM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 19,434
Likes: 3,660
From: California
"If you’re not ripping the EV red light to red light or accelerating fast out of turns where’s the fun? Serious question. I say that because that’s how I drive the Supra or how I’m running through the gears in my track car"
I would answer this last question, but I promised no more EV talk in this thread. Ask it in General EV, and I'll answer. I will say, not everyone is a track junkie. I say that with respect
I would answer this last question, but I promised no more EV talk in this thread. Ask it in General EV, and I'll answer. I will say, not everyone is a track junkie. I say that with respect
Last edited by AMIRZA786; Aug 21, 2025 at 07:11 AM.
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,470
Likes: 196
From: San Francisco, CA
I have not much to add; obviously the convenience of having two powertrains is a benefit. I question how many people actually charge their PHEV when they know they can just use gas. To me, it didn't make sense to lug around extra components so I did not even consider a plug in. Not just for complexity sake, but a plug in eliminates some of the benefits of a pure EV. You still have to do oil changes, you still need to replace fluids, you need to "use" the gas within a duration of time.
Thread Starter
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 67,904
Likes: 3,837
From: Maryland
I used to be able to hold it for 5 hours no problem, not anymore if I am drinking anything while I'm driving. On a 4 hour trip I have to stop at least once. If I don't drink anything I can go the whole trip. BUT, thats a 5 min stop, not a 25+ minute stop. I usually stop at a rest area, use the bathroom, grab a soda from a vending machine and get back on the road. With the kids and the dog we stop for longer, so with them a 20 min charging stop as long as theres somewhere to walk the dog and grab snacks and drinks is no big deal.
I still like the EV Sierra but I’m a Toyota fanboy at heart. 😆
If you’re not ripping the EV red light to red light or accelerating fast out of turns where’s the fun? Serious question.
I say that because that’s how I drive the Supra or how I’m running through the gears in my track car.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3,958
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i have pretty much lost interest in driving altogether. i want it to be as serene and effortless as possible. and i know i'm not alone in this. i still like cars, but bring on the self-driving!
if you watch the harry's garage video i posted, you'll see one of his cars he brags about is a 12 cylinder jag sedan with a stick shift! no doubt costs him a FORTUNE to maintain but he has the bragging rights of being 'special'.
And Harry sounds like @Striker223 and his W16 Audis 🤣