ChargeUK Finds Most Top PHEVs Cannot Use Rapid Chargers

Research from the industry body ChargeUK reveals that 74% of the top 20 best-selling plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in the United Kingdom cannot utilize rapid chargers of 50kW or more. None of these leading models are compatible with ultra-rapid chargers of 150kW or more, which forces drivers to either wait several hours for a recharge or rely on petrol engines during long-distance travel.

Shane Brennan, chief executive of ChargeUK, stated that a plug-in hybrid that is never plugged in is a "costly petrol car pulling round a heavy battery." He warned that drivers unable to access the public charging network quickly become petrol reliant and argued that the government should not be "hoodwinked" into viewing PHEV sales as a meaningful step toward electrification.

These findings emerge as the Government of the United Kingdom maintains that real-world carbon emissions for these vehicles remain 40% lower than the average petrol or diesel car. Simultaneously, the automotive industry is lobbying to weaken zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate targets. Nissan has indicated it may withhold a £170m investment in its Sunderland factory if the government does not relax these rules.