This year, the Mitsubishi Outlander Plug-In Hybrid is finally coming to America. While it’s ultra-popular in Europe and Japan, plug-in hybrids aren’t quite as common in the US yet, and lots of car shoppers might not be familiar with the concept. What is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and what makes it different from a conventional hybrid? Here’s a preview of the technology in the newest Outlander version, coming this summer!
Hybrid vs Plug-In Hybrid: What’s The Difference?
In traditional hybrid cars, the gasoline engine is the main source of power, with the electric motor helping to increase its efficiency. A plug-in hybrid is the next step closer to an electric car. The battery and electric motor are the main source of power, but since the car still has a gasoline engine, you avoid some of the biggest drawbacks of a fully-electric vehicle.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Read More: 3 Big Ways to Maximize Your Fuel Economy This Winter
The Outlander plug-in hybrid has an all-electric range of up to 32 miles, so for short-range driving, it operates just like a fully electric car. However, once the battery is used up, the gasoline engine seamlessly takes over. So, unlike electric-car owners, Outlander PHEV owners will be able to make longer trips without having to worry about the availability of a charging station. The Outlander PHEV has an SAE charging port and will come with 120 V portable charging leads, so owners will be able to charge the car in their home garages, in the same way as other electric and plug-in hybrid cars that are already available in the US.
In all other respects, it’ll be identical to the regular 2016 Mitsubishi Outlander models already available at Continental Mitsubishi. It’ll be available with All-Wheel Control, and it’ll be able to tow just as much weight.
