The endurance test with our Outlander plug-in hybrids18 is now months old and we have had absolutely zero problems pushing fuel consumption below the NEDC rating and instead of reporting endurance problems, the notebook reads in the Outlander PHEV like a boring soap opera. Weekly the same entries: charging at the socket, by battery the baby brought to the nursery, charged. The comfort in the facelift-Outlander PHEV has risen, annoying details like the bleeping tailgate were turned off with the facelift and it just does not break anything. This poses a real problem for the car tester. What should you complain about? What should you criticize? You could go back to that poor loading infrastructure in Germany received. Or we answer the most important questions from you. However, these also revolve around similar topics. Now, during the holiday season, there are more and more questions about how the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-in Hybrid is suitable as a holiday and towing vehicle.
Our “PHEV vacation report” from last year can be found here - We will now answer the three most current questions from you in this article:
1.) With the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV on vacation, as a towing vehicle for the caravan?
Our long-term test vehicle has no trailer coupling. But, Mitsubishi offers a trailer hitch for the Outlander PHEV. The trailer load is high enough with 1.500 kilograms to also pull a reasonable caravan. For short distance that is not a problem and also on the long haul you can leave carefree with the caravan in the direction of vacation. However, you have to set the consumption much higher, then the gasoline engine has more work to do. On the other hand, the towed caravan is also responsible for a higher recuperation performance. The more weight you push, the more you can recuperate. For the trip we recommend a very predictive driving. A frequent sailing supports the efficiency and only if one can foresee, that one must delay, one should really use the recuperation. If you keep that in mind, you can use the Outlander PHEV as a holiday towing vehicle. And how about Norway as a destination? There are at least significantly more charging stations than ours!
2.) Should you use the “Charge” button while driving?
A simple question, a simple answer: NO!
Using the gasoline engine to generate electricity from gasoline with 40% efficiency makes absolutely no sense. There is currently no region in Germany in which one can only drive electrically - because this function would only make sense in everyday life on the way there. There is a practical benefit in using the gasoline engine as a generator, but it is not an economical or ecological one. The efficiency of the internal combustion engine is not suitable for generating CO2 or electricity at no cost. It is better to download an app to find charging stations on your mobile phone. Hands off the “charge button”;).
3.) What is the E-car promotion in Germany?
Headache. For me personally: headache. After the funding was decided over a month ago, it is still not clear how the payout will work. And suddenly it is also a matter for the EU. The environmental bonus has to be approved by the EU Commission, but the talks between the German government and the EU are apparently not yet over. The “agreed” environmental bonus of up to € 4.000 for electric cars and € 3.000 for PHEVs is still pending.
Anyone who is now at the moment with the purchase of a new vehicle, whether PHEV or EV busy, but on the one hand unsettled and on the other hand, the purchase premium would like to take with you, I can current at the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control, the BAFA, inform. The phone number of the hotline is: 06196 / 908 1009.
