Why is 'self-charging hybrid' being sold as a thing?

[mrochester]

So the first hybrid cars available were 'self-charging hybrids' and they are self-charging because the batteries are relatively small and the electric engines are relatively weak. This means they can only go a very short distance on electric only and usually under 30mph.

A step up from these are plug-in hybrids, with much larger batteries and much more powerful electric motors. These cars can typically go 20-35 miles on the battery alone.

So why, all of a sudden, is Toyota and Lexus advertising 'self-charging hybrids - no need to plug in' as a thing when a plug-in hybrid is better than a non plug-in? Is it just because many people believe hybrids have to be plugged in to charge? The message in the advert seems to be backwards as if it were suggesting self-charging hybrids are better than plug-in hybrids even though the opposite is true.

 

[paradigm]

Aren’t plug-in hybrids also self-charging, at least to a degree? I always assumed they were.

If not, why not?

 

[mrochester]

Aren’t plug-in hybrids also self-charging, at least to a degree? I always assumed they were.

If not, why not?

Yes they are, which is why I don’t understand the advert!

 

[Joe T]

It's just marketing.

 

[Simon]

Because people thought plug in > hybrid I guess.

I guess in simple termas making it clear they are self charging and there is no need To having to plug them in is a benefit to people without the possibility to charge them

 

[Django x2]

So the first hybrid cars available were 'self-charging hybrids' and they are self-charging because the batteries are relatively small and the electric engines are relatively weak. This means they can only go a very short distance on electric only and usually under 30mph.

A step up from these are plug-in hybrids, with much larger batteries and much more powerful electric motors. These cars can typically go 20-35 miles on the battery alone.

So why, all of a sudden, is Toyota and Lexus advertising 'self-charging hybrids - no need to plug in' as a thing when a plug-in hybrid is better than a non plug-in? Is it just because many people believe hybrids have to be plugged in to charge? The message in the advert seems to be backwards as if it were suggesting self-charging hybrids are better than plug-in hybrids even though the opposite is true.

Because they charge from an engine, so they self charge, as opposed to the first cars that didn't I'm not seeing the confusion here.

A PHEV doesn't (can't) use it's engine to charge the batteries. They only use regenerative recycling from engine braking or coasting, if it did, that too would be "self charging"

 

[mrochester]

Because they charge from an engine, so they self charge, as opposed to the first cars that didn't I'm not seeing the confusion here.

A PHEV doesn't (can't) use it's engine to charge the batteries. They only use regenerative recycling from engine braking or coasting, if it did, that too would be "self charging"

Why can’t a PHEV charge the battery from an idling engine?

 

[Django x2]

Why can’t a PHEV charge the battery from an idling engine?

I'm sure it could, they just don't.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Cos some people don’t want the ‘hassle’ of plugging in so it’s an easy way to appeal to those as they swerve from diesel.

It’s just targeting to a customer segment.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Why can’t a PHEV charge the battery from an idling engine?

Cos that’s a waste of fuel... PHEV incentive is you can charge from the grid. They do tend to charge to about 10% so that they have a buffer of energy for bursts of power etc.

 

[Jokester]

What’s the actual purpose of self charging? Is it just that they can run the petrol engine at it’s most efficient point on the curve whilst charging so that the energy cost of lugging the battery and motor about is “paid for” compared to just driving on petrol?

 

[Joe T]

To be fair, I think most of the 'self-charging' comes from braking regen, which all electrified vehicles can do.

 

[[TW]Fox]

A PHEV doesn't (can't) use it's engine to charge the batteries

Yes it does.

 

[mrochester]

To be fair, I think most of the 'self-charging' comes from braking regen, which all electrified vehicles can do.

That’s what I thought. The ICE on mine will idle for a short time but then switches off.

 

[Jonnybmac]

They've obviously done market reseach to understand that there is an opportunity in that area.

To create a plug in means more weight for larger batteries as to plug in you'd want a decent range, rather than a self charge that is pretty much a petrol but has the ability to recoup some of its inefficiency.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

What’s the actual purpose of self charging? Is it just that they can run the petrol engine at it’s most efficient point on the curve whilst charging so that the energy cost of lugging the battery and motor about is “paid for” compared to just driving on petrol?

Down sized the main petrol engine, avoid need for turbos etc. More efficient charging system and doesn’t waste all energy just heating brakes up.

Basically what my 18year old car does.

 

[lordrobs]

They are just clearly defining the difference for Joe public who may not know the charging requirements of each power type.

The reason it wasn't advertised as such previously is that there was only one type of hybrid, the plug ins came later.

 

[Joe T]

They are just clearly defining the difference for Joe public who may not know the charging requirements of each power type.

The reason it wasn't advertised as such previously is that there was only one type of hybrid, the plug ins came later.

While true, it's also causing some members of Joe Public to think that their self-charging hybrid is better than a PHEV as "they dont have to plug it in".

 

[mrochester]

While true, it's also causing some members of Joe Public to think that their self-charging hybrid is better than a PHEV as "they dont have to plug it in".

This was my point. It seems to be sending the wrong message and has the potential to cause confusion if you don’t know any better.

 

[Randomface74]

What’s the actual purpose of self charging? Is it just that they can run the petrol engine at it’s most efficient point on the curve whilst charging so that the energy cost of lugging the battery and motor about is “paid for” compared to just driving on petrol?

Yeah that's it.