Whether at the store or on an appointment, plug-in hybrids should be charged whenever possible.
While the purchase of plug-in hybrids is no longer subsidized by the government, the electric ranges are improving. But are the ranges really as high as promised in brochures? Here’s a look at all available models, including information on costs, range, and consumption.
Government Subsidy: Environmental Bonus Removed
ADAC Ecotest: Which Plug-in Hybrids Are Efficient and Low in Emissions
Currently, 187 Plug-in Hybrid Model Versions Available
It’s hard to believe, but it’s true: in the 2023 market overview, ADAC listed 113 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). For 2024 (as of early February), 187 model versions are now listed in the ADAC database. This is a much larger offering, even though the purchase incentive from the government has been withdrawn, leading to declining new registrations. Is the auto industry perhaps overestimating current customer demand?
Available Plug-in Hybrid Models
According to ADAC measurements, the total fuel and electricity consumption figures are not always accurate.
Conclusion: Range Makes PHEVs Expensive
ADAC Tips for Plug-in Hybrids
ADAC’s Demand for Manufacturers
FAQ on Plug-in Technology
For car buyers, something else is important: Finally, there are plug-in hybrids that can drive more than 30 or 40 kilometers purely on electricity — at least according to the WLTP value. About 40 of the current models claim to achieve over 100 kilometers without using the combustion engine.
If you want to check what’s available: Our extensive model overview with manufacturer details can show you. Tip: Click on the column to the far right to sort the models by range. You can also sort by purchase price or engine power. Try it out.
Consumption According to ADAC Measurements
There is, however, an issue with these figures: Manufacturer values are often not achieved. Especially in winter when the battery is cold, or if overtaking on country roads is necessary, or if drivers are in a hurry and speed up to 130 km/h on the highway. In these situations, too much energy is used, making laboratory ranges unattainable in daily life, leading to disappointment among buyers.
ADAC wants to provide clarity, conducting tests to precisely determine the real-world differences between the advertised and actual consumption and range figures for plug-in hybrids. These tests are based on realistic ADAC Ecotest measurements.
For context and understanding of ADAC Ecotest values (which can be found in the table under the right tab): three scenarios are tested:
Consumption with a charged battery ("combined consumption")
Consumption with an uncharged battery ("hybrid mode consumption")
Consumption in pure electric mode ("electric mode consumption")
Plug-in Consumption with a Charged Battery
The first and most important scenario is consumption per 100 kilometers in combined operation. This means the car starts with a fully charged battery and runs sometimes purely on electricity and sometimes with the support of the combustion engine. The engine kicks in when the load demand is too high for the electric drive — such as during strong acceleration or high speeds on the highway.
Plug-in Consumption without a Charged Battery
The second scenario is the hybrid combustion mode. Here, the car is driven with an uncharged battery in hybrid mode, using only the recuperation energy generated during driving. This value reflects the actual consumption for a PHEV customer who rarely charges their car. This is the cardinal sin in PHEV use: paying extra for an electric drive that isn’t used.
Plug-in Consumption in Pure Electric Mode
The third measurement checks how much electricity a plug-in vehicle consumes if it drives 100 kilometers purely on electricity (electric mode). This value gives good insight into the vehicle's basic energy efficiency, determined by its aerodynamics, weight, and driving resistance.
Fuel and Electricity Combined
Looking at consumption with a fully charged battery at the start of the drive, the sum of fuel and electricity used becomes critical. While lawmakers and manufacturers tend to overlook electricity consumption, focusing on CO₂ emissions instead, the driver must pay for both fuel from the gas station and electricity from the outlet.
For consumers, manufacturer figures are often unreliable. For example, ADAC tested the Mercedes C 300e, which showed a consumption of 1.6 liters of fuel plus 21.1 kWh of electricity per 100 kilometers, while the manufacturer stated 0.5 liters and 18.5 kWh. With more aggressive driving than in the ADAC Ecotest, the gap between these figures widens.
In contrast, the Toyota Prius PHEV used 1.7 liters of fuel and only 11.5 kWh of electricity, resulting in a much better cost and environmental balance. Toyota earned 95 ADAC points and the highest rating of five stars, while the Mercedes received only 57 points and three stars.
Six other plug-in hybrids scored four stars: Volvo V60, Renault Mégane, Renault Captur, Opel Astra, Kia Niro, and Hyundai Ioniq. On the other hand, the BMW X5 plug-in hybrid performed poorly, receiving just one star, due to consuming 5.4 liters of fuel and 20.9 kWh of electricity. The Mercedes GLE also disappointed in terms of efficiency due to its large size and weight.
Conclusion: Range Makes PHEVs Expensive
Many new plug-in hybrids now come with larger batteries than before. Around 40 of the current models can achieve over 100 kilometers electrically under ideal laboratory conditions. Even if real-world figures are half that, most daily journeys can be covered with electric power. However, plug-in hybrids with 100+ kilometers of electric range currently cost around €60,000 or €70,000.
Slightly cheaper plug-in versions with less range are expected to arrive by mid to late 2024. However, the average driver travels less than 50 kilometers per day, meaning more affordable models with smaller batteries could still meet daily driving needs. Charging overnight at home further simplifies the process.
The general accusation that manufacturers' fuel consumption figures for plug-in hybrids are fraudulent isn’t accurate. Manufacturers meet legal requirements, and the real-world consumption of plug-in hybrids largely depends on how they are used.
ADAC Tips for Plug-in Hybrids
Plug-in hybrids should be charged as often as possible to maximize electric driving.
The car should be as small as possible and only as large as necessary.
For frequent long-distance driving, a diesel engine is still often more efficient and lower in emissions.
On highways, it’s better to drive in hybrid mode and use saved electric energy on country roads and in cities.
Avoid using the “charge mode” to charge the battery via the combustion engine, as it’s inefficient.
ADAC’s Demand to Manufacturers
Automakers usually only provide combined fuel and electricity consumption figures for plug-in hybrids with a charged battery. ADAC calls on manufacturers to also provide figures for purely electric driving and operation with an empty battery.
News
While the purchase of plug-in hybrids is no longer subsidized by the government, the electric ranges are improving. But are the ranges really as high as promised in brochures? Here’s a look at all available models, including information on costs, range, and consumption.
Government Subsidy: Environmental Bonus Removed
ADAC Ecotest: Which Plug-in Hybrids Are Efficient and Low in Emissions
Currently, 187 Plug-in Hybrid Model Versions Available
It’s hard to believe, but it’s true: in the 2023 market overview, ADAC listed 113 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). For 2024 (as of early February), 187 model versions are now listed in the ADAC database. This is a much larger offering, even though the purchase incentive from the government has been withdrawn, leading to declining new registrations. Is the auto industry perhaps overestimating current customer demand?
Available Plug-in Hybrid Models
According to ADAC measurements, the total fuel and electricity consumption figures are not always accurate.
Conclusion: Range Makes PHEVs Expensive
ADAC Tips for Plug-in Hybrids
ADAC’s Demand for Manufacturers
FAQ on Plug-in Technology
For car buyers, something else is important: Finally, there are plug-in hybrids that can drive more than 30 or 40 kilometers purely on electricity — at least according to the WLTP value. About 40 of the current models claim to achieve over 100 kilometers without using the combustion engine.
If you want to check what’s available: Our extensive model overview with manufacturer details can show you. Tip: Click on the column to the far right to sort the models by range. You can also sort by purchase price or engine power. Try it out.
Consumption According to ADAC Measurements
There is, however, an issue with these figures: Manufacturer values are often not achieved. Especially in winter when the battery is cold, or if overtaking on country roads is necessary, or if drivers are in a hurry and speed up to 130 km/h on the highway. In these situations, too much energy is used, making laboratory ranges unattainable in daily life, leading to disappointment among buyers.
ADAC wants to provide clarity, conducting tests to precisely determine the real-world differences between the advertised and actual consumption and range figures for plug-in hybrids. These tests are based on realistic ADAC Ecotest measurements.
For context and understanding of ADAC Ecotest values (which can be found in the table under the right tab): three scenarios are tested:
Consumption with a charged battery ("combined consumption")
Consumption with an uncharged battery ("hybrid mode consumption")
Consumption in pure electric mode ("electric mode consumption")
Plug-in Consumption with a Charged Battery
The first and most important scenario is consumption per 100 kilometers in combined operation. This means the car starts with a fully charged battery and runs sometimes purely on electricity and sometimes with the support of the combustion engine. The engine kicks in when the load demand is too high for the electric drive — such as during strong acceleration or high speeds on the highway.
Plug-in Consumption without a Charged Battery
The second scenario is the hybrid combustion mode. Here, the car is driven with an uncharged battery in hybrid mode, using only the recuperation energy generated during driving. This value reflects the actual consumption for a PHEV customer who rarely charges their car. This is the cardinal sin in PHEV use: paying extra for an electric drive that isn’t used.
Plug-in Consumption in Pure Electric Mode
The third measurement checks how much electricity a plug-in vehicle consumes if it drives 100 kilometers purely on electricity (electric mode). This value gives good insight into the vehicle's basic energy efficiency, determined by its aerodynamics, weight, and driving resistance.
Fuel and Electricity Combined
Looking at consumption with a fully charged battery at the start of the drive, the sum of fuel and electricity used becomes critical. While lawmakers and manufacturers tend to overlook electricity consumption, focusing on CO₂ emissions instead, the driver must pay for both fuel from the gas station and electricity from the outlet.
For consumers, manufacturer figures are often unreliable. For example, ADAC tested the Mercedes C 300e, which showed a consumption of 1.6 liters of fuel plus 21.1 kWh of electricity per 100 kilometers, while the manufacturer stated 0.5 liters and 18.5 kWh. With more aggressive driving than in the ADAC Ecotest, the gap between these figures widens.
In contrast, the Toyota Prius PHEV used 1.7 liters of fuel and only 11.5 kWh of electricity, resulting in a much better cost and environmental balance. Toyota earned 95 ADAC points and the highest rating of five stars, while the Mercedes received only 57 points and three stars.
Six other plug-in hybrids scored four stars: Volvo V60, Renault Mégane, Renault Captur, Opel Astra, Kia Niro, and Hyundai Ioniq. On the other hand, the BMW X5 plug-in hybrid performed poorly, receiving just one star, due to consuming 5.4 liters of fuel and 20.9 kWh of electricity. The Mercedes GLE also disappointed in terms of efficiency due to its large size and weight.
Conclusion: Range Makes PHEVs Expensive
Many new plug-in hybrids now come with larger batteries than before. Around 40 of the current models can achieve over 100 kilometers electrically under ideal laboratory conditions. Even if real-world figures are half that, most daily journeys can be covered with electric power. However, plug-in hybrids with 100+ kilometers of electric range currently cost around €60,000 or €70,000.
Slightly cheaper plug-in versions with less range are expected to arrive by mid to late 2024. However, the average driver travels less than 50 kilometers per day, meaning more affordable models with smaller batteries could still meet daily driving needs. Charging overnight at home further simplifies the process.
The general accusation that manufacturers' fuel consumption figures for plug-in hybrids are fraudulent isn’t accurate. Manufacturers meet legal requirements, and the real-world consumption of plug-in hybrids largely depends on how they are used.
ADAC Tips for Plug-in Hybrids
Plug-in hybrids should be charged as often as possible to maximize electric driving.
The car should be as small as possible and only as large as necessary.
For frequent long-distance driving, a diesel engine is still often more efficient and lower in emissions.
On highways, it’s better to drive in hybrid mode and use saved electric energy on country roads and in cities.
Avoid using the “charge mode” to charge the battery via the combustion engine, as it’s inefficient.
ADAC’s Demand to Manufacturers
Automakers usually only provide combined fuel and electricity consumption figures for plug-in hybrids with a charged battery. ADAC calls on manufacturers to also provide figures for purely electric driving and operation with an empty battery.
News