Hybrid: should you switch to plug-in?

Faced with the persistent rise in prices at the pump and the limited enthusiasm for electric vehicles, the hybrid is emerging as a pragmatic alternative. It remains to decide between the sobriety of the classic hybrid and the versatility of the plug-in.

The electric car (EV) still remains a concept for many Moroccans, and the reasons are numerous. Firstly for its acquisition cost, which remains relatively high compared to thermal vehicles, despite the arrival on the domestic market of more accessible models like the Dacia Spring, against a backdrop of continued rising prices. pump, in particular gasoline which has settled above the 13 DH mark (see box).

Worse, there is the lack of charging infrastructure and the reluctance of users to develop a certain dependence on public stations, particularly among apartment dwellers without a charging station at home. Added to this is the lack of incentive measures and the uncertainty linked to the resale value of electric vehicles which is still poorly established on the market, in a fleet dominated by more than 95% by diesel.

Close match
However, energy sobriety does not remain inaccessible. If the attraction for electric still remains weak for various reasons, hybrid gasoline-electric propulsion is attracting the interest of many buyers. By combining these two energy sources, this technology presents itself as an attractive promise, capable of redefining the standards of sustainable mobility.

The only downside is that the hybrid is a catch-all range. It is necessary to distinguish the full hybrid, whose engine is intended to be sufficiently powerful to allow the car to drive without being plugged in, from the micro-hybrid (mild-hybrid), where the electrical contribution is mainly limited to auxiliary functions such as air conditioning or interior lighting. But the real battle between manufacturers is between two categories, the classic hybrid (HEV) and rechargeable hybrid (PHEV). While the classic hybrid, like the Toyota Prius and the brand’s other models, recharges only via regenerative braking and the combustion engine, the PHEV requires external charging to fully exploit its capabilities.

The HEV stands out for its extremely limited electric range, often between 1 and 3 kilometers, which is sufficient for short periods at low speed, typically in urban environments, with frequent stops. This configuration optimizes fuel consumption, especially in heavy traffic environments.

For its part, the PHEV offers a true electric range, ranging from 15 to 600 kilometers in all-electric mode, and the possibility of making short trips, particularly in urban areas, thus reducing fuel consumption and emissions. of greenhouse gases.

“The full hybrid allows substantial savings to be made provided that you have a charging station, otherwise the plug-in hybrid loses its advantage,” says an expert in the automotive sector.

For him, the classic hybrid remains a more pragmatic option, without the constraints linked to recharging with lower maintenance costs. Economically, the PHEV is more expensive than the classic hybrid, due to the on-board battery and its dual propulsion technology. That said, government incentives and potential savings on short trips can offset this gap in the medium term.

Transition durable
Faced with gasoline prices around 14 dirhams per liter, the choice between a classic hybrid and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is, in fact, essential in buyers’ purchasing criteria. A classic hybrid, with an average consumption of 5 to 6 liters/100 km, generates a cost of 70 to 84 dirhams per 100 km traveled.

In comparison, an electric PHEV consumes between 15 and 20 kWh/100 km. At an electricity cost of 1.50 dirham/kWh, the same journey costs between 22.50 and 30 DH per 100 km traveled. On short urban distances, plug-ins thus offer a significant advantage, reducing fuel requirements.

However, on longer journeys where the combustion engine takes over, this advantage tends to fade. The adoption of this type of vehicle remains dependent on the establishment of a denser charging network and greater financial incentives to offset high purchasing costs.

The dilemma thus arises between short-term profitability and the commitment necessary for a sustainable transition. That said, despite the efforts made to promote electric mobility, Morocco remains faced with several challenges. Although the exemption from the vignette and the luxury tax represents appreciable tax incentives, these measures are considered insufficient to boost the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles.

Hybrid or plug-in, which engine in the face of soaring fuel prices?

With gasoline prices approaching 14 DH/liter, the choice between the classic hybrid and the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) becomes an interesting alternative for motorists seeking to reduce their fuel consumption while limiting related costs. to soaring prices. The classic hybrid, although economical with an average consumption of 5 to 6 liters/100 km, remains directly affected by the fluctuation of prices at the pump, imposing a cost of 70 to 84 DH per 100 km.

On the other hand, the PHEV allows you to travel around 50 km in 100% electric mode, thus reducing dependence on gasoline for urban journeys, with a recharging cost of around 22.50 to 30 DH per 100 km. However, this technology requires a charging infrastructure, which is still limited in Morocco. With the country entirely dependent on imported refined products, these hybrid solutions offer partial respite from soaring fuel prices, but their effectiveness depends heavily on the type of journey and access to charging stations.

Ayoub Ibnoulfassih / ECO Inspirations