A lot has been said and written about the real impact of plug-in hybrids (PHEV) on the reduction of CO2 emissions. But the discussion reaches another dimension with the position recently taken by the VDA (Verband der Automobilindustrie). The largest German association representing the automotive industry advocates for the continuation of the commercialization of PHEVs beyond 2035, the year set by the European Union (EU) for the end of the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines, proposing, for this purpose, the introduction of a condition for the continuity of the technology: the mandatory charging of the battery.
The reason for the VDA’s position is easy to explain: currently, there is no control over the number of kilometers driven by PHEVs in 100% electric mode, or whether the batteries are, in fact, charged regularly. In practice, there is incorrect use of this technology by many drivers, which results in higher fuel consumption and, consequently, more CO2 emissions. Thus, by disregarding (or ignoring) the concrete benefits of the system, it contributes to the negative “fame” of PHEVs, models that also tend to be more powerful and heavier than their internal combustion engine counterparts.
Hildegard Müller, president of the VDA, states that it makes sense to encourage PHEV drivers to use the electric motor more, a behavior that requires more frequent battery charging: “In the future, we need to think about designing PHEVs with technology that mandates frequent battery charging at private and public power supply points”. In practice, after covering a previously defined distance, the battery would need to be recharged at least once. And, if the driver continued their journey without fulfilling this obligation and persistently used only the combustion engine, the power delivered by the system would be limited, a measure that would encourage, in the opinion of the same official, the use of electric traction more frequently. The discussion is just beginning, so it is anticipated that the story will have many more chapters…
