The questions from you, the readers, about the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV are not decreasing. So we insert another “Reader questions – autohub answers Sunday”*. We would also be happy to receive many short messages from you if you simply tell us your own experiences in three lines. Thank you once again for this!

Answers to the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Questions from readers answered

1. Where does the Plug-in Hybrid Outlander get the electricity for the electrical preheating?
2. Is it possible to secure the charging cable from vandals by means of a central locking system?
3. Pure electric driving in winter?
4. What is the current status on the topic of “bi-directional charging?”

1.) Electric preheating, especially in winter

As long as the PHEV is connected to the power supply, it draws the power for the heating via the mains. Or, for the most part. In contrast to other vehicles, the preheating therefore does not affect the state of charge of the battery. To spare the driving battery on the first kilometers, therefore makes the use of preheating on the programming sense.

2.) The lock is missing

Unfortunately, the charging cable (type 1) cannot be locked automatically. Mitsubishi-Motors Germany has therefore decided to give charging cables to the vehicles that have a small device to hang a mechanical lock there. A small workaround - against vandals - but just an emergency solution. However, this does not matter for our long-term tester. We charge 99% directly at home in our own garage.

3.) Electric through the winter

Until the 2017 model year, this was only possible by deactivating the climate control. However, in my opinion this is only an emergency solution. Active air conditioning is a luxury that is not a luxury. But necessity. Preheating via the app helps, but at temperatures around 0 degrees you need a functioning heater when driving for a long time. From model year 2017, Mitsubishi now offers a “Pure EV mode”. We have not tested this feature yet.

4.) Bi-Directional Loading

Say goodbye to the idea. Unfortunately. In Germany, apparently, no industry partner has found, which adapted together with Mitsubishi the solutions from Japan. This leaves a great advantage of the ChaDemo connection unused.

Do you have questions about the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV? Or drive yourself such a plug-in hybrids? Write us! Contact the editor

* autohub.de is testing the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and every Sunday there is a new article with information, experiences and explanations.