Yes, there are specific countries where plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) tend to be more beneficial compared to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and this largely depends on regional preferences, infrastructure, and usage patterns.
Countries Favoring PHEVs Over HEVs
Europe, especially Southern and some Northern countries, favors PHEVs more than HEVs in terms of new electric vehicle sales. Countries like Greece, Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Finland have a relatively high share of plug-in hybrids among their electric vehicle purchases. In Greece, for example, about two-thirds of new electric vehicles are plug-in hybrids, and more than half in Belgium, Spain, Italy, and Finland. This suggests that in these countries, PHEVs are seen as more beneficial.
Reasons Why PHEVs Might Be More Beneficial in These Countries
- Infrastructure and Range Needs: PHEVs use smaller batteries than full battery electric vehicles (BEVs), making them cheaper and lighter, yet still allowing for electric-only range that can cover short daily commutes with zero tailpipe emissions. This can be crucial in regions where charging infrastructure is not yet fully developed or where users need occasional longer trips without reliance solely on charging stations.
- Utility Factors and Driving Patterns: European studies show that the real-world fuel consumption for PHEVs varies, but private vehicle users typically achieve moderate fuel consumption through electric driving combined with occasional gasoline or diesel use. The benefit of PHEVs is more pronounced in countries or regions where daily trips are often short enough to rely heavily on electric range, reducing fuel use compared to regular hybrids.
- Company Car Usage: In countries like Germany, PHEVs are often leased as company cars and tend to have lower utility factors, meaning they are not used electrically as much as expected, diminishing their environmental benefit. This suggests that in countries where PHEVs are used more personally rather than as company cars, they may be more beneficial.
Contrasting Countries Where HEVs or BEVs May Be Preferable
In contrast, countries such as Norway, the UK, the US, China, Canada, and India have a higher adoption of full battery electric vehicles, with about three-quarters or more of new electric cars being BEVs rather than PHEVs. For these countries, BEVs may be more beneficial due to better charging infrastructure and policy incentives promoting fully electric vehicles.
Summary
| Region / Country Group | Preferred Electric Vehicle Type | Reason for PHEV Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Greece, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Finland (Europe) | PHEVs | Infrastructure limits, shorter trips, cost advantages of smaller batteries |
| Norway, UK, US, China, Canada, India | BEVs | Strong charging infrastructure, higher BEV incentives |
| Germany (for company cars) | Limited PHEV benefit | Lower utility factors reduce PHEV efficiency and emissions gains |
Therefore, PHEVs tend to be more beneficial in countries with less developed charging infrastructure, more mixed trip patterns including frequent longer trips, and where cost considerations favor hybrids with smaller batteries. Southern and certain Northern European countries exemplify this trend, while others lean heavily toward BEVs or pure HEVs depending on local conditions.
This nuanced situation means that PHEVs occupy a valuable transitional role in some markets, whereas in others, pure electric vehicles or traditional hybrids may be better suited to local circumstances.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/are-there-specific-countries-where-phevs-are-more-beneficial-than-hevs/
