Plug in hybrids are stupid imo. Worst part of an EV, plugging in. Worst part of ICE, fuel burning / engine parts. At a premium (suppose that counts as a bad aspect of EVs too)
Hybrids can be a benefit. But it will depend on the journeys taken, and the size and usefuleness of the battery.
In a pure ICE car, whenever we slow down, the energy used to get us there has been lost. We cannot coast for long distances, so we have to lose momentum, and therefore energy, by using the brakes, which converts the energy into heat, to be lost. Using an electric motor to recover some of that energy, as regenerative braking, storing that energy in a battery, is a gain. Then the electric power is used to help push later.
In this respect, the 'mild hybrid' seems a good idea. A small battery, with a small, but useful boost. This allows a smaller, more efficient engine once desired speeds are reached. Downside, is that we then need to carry a battery around with us, and we cannot run on electric alone. There is usually no additional electric motor, as it will use the alternator for both drive and regeneration purposes. Some use an electric motor built into the engine flywheel, with a little additional weight, but the normal alternator can be deleted.
A big advantage (to me the only real benefit), of an EV, is the zero emissions at the tailpipe. This makes town use much better for those around us.
A hybrid is the next step up from the mild hybrid. A bigger battery, still only charged by regenerative braking, but allowing a reasonable distance on electric only. Useful for short distances in town, so most useful for commutes from outside town. If more driving is done out of town, longer distances, the hybrid can lose out as it wastes energy carrying around the battery and motor. (A relative had a Prius for a few years, and was pleased to average 45mpg. My Fabia averages over 50mpg, without having to carry a battery and electric motor, but does try to suffocate people around town.)
A plug-in hybrid has a larger battery, which can be charged separately. Range on electric is greater than the hybrid. Useful for longer journeys around town, and still able to travel long distances without long stops to charge, as generally these are intended to plug in at home.
As long as batteries are heavy, EVs will spend so much energy just carrying themselves, so for me make no sense. Long charge times, and reduced range over an ICE, don't win me over. And few have proper legroom in the back, making them huge 2+2s.
Currently the manufacture of batteries creates a huge carbon footprint, that will take years before the EV 'breaks even' with an ICE. The argument for EVs to reduce carbon output is nonsense. They will have few years beyond the break even before the battery capacity has reduced enough to make it unusable. At that time the car is scrap. My Panda is nearly 18 years old. Any current EV getting to that age will have so little battery range it will be of little use. And as EV batteries die, we can look forward to a significant pollution problem there, as we currently have no viable recycling process.
Have you noticed how so many car ads now push hybrids.
each to their own, not my scene!
(I wish)
www.autocar.co.uk
