PHEV instead of Electric if home charging a issue?

Hello Dan,
In your scenario a PHEV would be the better solution since you can't level 2 at home otherwise you will need to DC fast charge the vehicle most of the time and sit at chargers waiting for a charge to finish.

In my area my wife's or my commute to work is less than the range in all electric so in theory the gas engine would only be used for distance trips.

One feature to look for is that the vehicle can be operated in electric mode only while there is battery range without switching over to hybrid. Not all vehicles have this feature and I don't know if the Escape does.

My wife currently has a gas escape and we were looking at the PHEV version for when her lease is due but the PHEV version only comes in front wheel drive. The new Jeep Wrangler 4xE is PHEV and 4x4, I don't know if it can run in electric only.
Al

 

I just bought a BEV, my first non-ICE vehicle in 6 decades of car ownership. I only have a 120v outlet available at home for charging. But I’m okay with it because of the availability of L2 chargers in my area if needed and my mileage requirements. Plus I see the networks are continually growing and more chargers will be built closer to me going forward. For many people, the car sits for many hours a day so there is plenty of time even with only a L1 charger to recharge a battery pack full enough to safely use the next day.

I live in a condo and have started a conversation with the HOA to install community L2 chargers. It’s still early days but I’m optimistic. Also, many landlords of MUDs are being encouraged to add chargers to make their properties more attractive to potential renters. EV Match is one company that is involved in this, I’ve spoken with them about my situation, too.

 

Dunno how long your commute is, but with 37 miles, 60 kms, on electric in the summer, you might be covered. And should be able to recharge the batteries overnight on 120VAC.

In the winter you'll be using gas mostly for heat as well as range. The cold really reduces battery capacity.

The Hyundai Ioniq PHEV is another one to consider. It has very good highway gas economy if you regularly go for longer trips. It's been out for a while and has a loyal following.

 

Luckily for me my commute is 30km round trip so the lower range of PHEV will work for me. I haven't researched the PHEV much but if you can preheat the cabin on electric while plugged in like BEV that would solve the heat load for the morning part of the commute.

If only the PHEV manufacturer's would add a few more kWH to the battery pack I think more people would be eager to adopt them.

 

Some folks in the North put a timed electric heater in their car's cabin. But that wouldn't leave many amps for charging the battery on an 120VAC extension cord.

But the main problem with PHEVs (I've been told) is that a lotta people can't be bothered to plug them in. Which I find weird; why pay for it if you're not going to use it?

 

If you only have to recharge a few kms a day, I can't imagine any problems with 120VAC charging even in the Winter. And unless you wanted to also do longer trips, a BEV with a small battery would be fine.
A PHEV would give more flexibility though.

 

The default mode for the Clarity is electric. True, there's no setting for Electric Only, but unless you push the HV switch, or press the throttle all the way to the floor, it uses the battery. And if you use it for acceleration, it resets to EV mode after you let off. In normal driving for me, I never have the ICE start unless I drive farther than the battery has capacity for.

Gene 2020 Honda Clarity
Sent from my Pixel 3 using Inside EVs mobile app

 

That's more of an issue in Europe due to the CO2 cap legislation and how European companies game the system.

In some states, rebates/tax credits can make some PHEVs cheap enough when combined with a HOV sticker to make them attractive even without charging them.

 

What about the Mini Cooper SE? It's a city car, Bev with a small battery. But doesn't sound like you want a log range highway cruiser. And your daily driving should be easily recharged with 120VAC overnight, even in the winter.

 

MINI Cooper SE uses the same motor and batteries as the i3 but is about $10,000 cheaper. Is RWD really that much more expensive, or is it the BMW emblem?