Ep 38 - Do Truck and Car Plug In Hybrids Make Sense?

The Dodge RAM and Ford Ranger pickup trucks have recently been announced coming out as plug-in hybrids (PHEV) versions.  Larry and I talk about PHEV use cases to see what makes sense.  There are also quite a few used PHEVs on the market. 

If you're considering a plug-in vehicle, this might be a good way to get into EVs without the range anxiety or needing to find public charging on a road trip.

Show Notes and Links

- How does a plug-in hybrid work? https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/how-do-plug-in-hybrid-electric-cars-work
- Plug-In America Vehicle Guide - https://pluginamerica.org/learn/guide/
- Which plug-in vehicles qualify for the federal tax credit?  https://electrek.co/2023/11/07/which-electric-vehicles-still-qualify-for-us-federal-tax-credit/
- CleanTechnica: “The PHEV Era Needs to End, Now” - https://cleantechnica.com/2020/06/10/the-phev-era-needs-to-end-now/
- RAM PHEV
   - https://www.cnbc.com/2023/11/07/new-ram-pickup-ev-has-gas-powered-electric-generator.html
   - https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1141355_2025-ram-1500-ramcharger-plug-in-hybrid-pickup-ev-range
   - Why a V6? https://insideevs.com/news/695698/2025-ram-ramcharger-v6/
- Ford Ranger PHEV - https://www.drivingline.com/articles/ford-introduces-ranger-plug-in-hybrid-is-this-a-game-changing-alternative-to-full-electric-pickups/
- Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid uses a 3.6 L Engine - https://www.caranddriver.com/chrysler/pacifica
- Hybrids vs. PHEVs - https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1137409_phevs-are-no-longer-a-no-brainer-vs-hybrids
- Used EV tax credit
   - Electrek overview - https://electrek.co/2023/08/07/here-are-all-the-used-evs-that-qualify-for-the-new-4000-tax-credit/
   - IRS - https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/used-clean-vehicle-credit

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 3:15 Larry’s PHEV Use Case
• 4:55 The PHEV Trucks Can Still Use DCFCs
• 5:12 Towing - The Game Changer
• 6:50 OEMs Make Good IC Engines
• 8:06 The Range Extender is a V6
• 10:53 PHEVs Batteries are Designed to be Run Down to
• 11:51 Fuel Flexibility is Super Useful
• 13:36 Why Did GM Sunset the Voltec Powertrain?
• 14:43 PHEV Use Case No Home Charging
• 17:10 EV Conversion Make Sense to Go Full Electric
• 18:21 What’s The Incentive to Drive a PHEV Electric?
• 20:04 How Convenient is it to Charge? It Depends.
• 21:29 What PHEVs are on the Market?
• 23:06 Used PHEVs
• 26:18 Hybrid Repair Shops Can Inspect Used PHEVs
• 26:54 Federal Tax Credit for Used EVs
• 30:02 PHEVs are a Great Segue for EVs