Texasota

Well, that is a no brainer. More highway miles, such as when I drive from Minnesota to Florida, results in more fuel consumption. During my drive 98.3% of the 1750 miles are in hybrid mode for which I averaged close to 40 MPG. Only a glutton for punishment would charge a PHEV on a highway trip. When at home most of my driving is city EV miles. And if I drive 1750 miles in the city I am using almost no fuel. Speculation on my part, but I think this is how most owners use their PHEVs. My PHEV driving style is not unique. Ford marketing recently said, in regards to the Ranger PHEV, that PHEVs are the "best of both worlds" for customers. It would appear an increasing number of customers agree.

Basically what that is saying is that PHEVs are being driven the way manufactures intended and not according to the grossly inaccurate assumptions of the WLTP. Customers are embracing PHEVs because they are an excellent bridging technology that provides an efficient and convenient driving experience on long trips and an excellent EV experience for city driving and short commutes. Claiming that PHEVs are not being plugged in because the data does not match WLTP is absurd.

This clearly illustrates you do not understand the purpose or rational for PHEVs. They were never intended to be plugged in all the time and driven 100% in EV mode. They are excellent at being driven 100% in EV mode for shorter city trips and commutes. They are also excellent for long highway trips which BEVs are currently not. During my recent three day highway trip to my snowbird location I averaged over 40 MPG (no charging). While driving in my home town I'm always in EV mode and no gas is burned. Again, you are either unable or unwilling to understand the point of PHEVs. I'm confident the majority of PHEV owners are using them exactly the way their manufacturer intended. After all, they paid a premium for them. I assure you that I am using my PHEV properly.

Oh boy, yet another bunch of regurgitated nonsense. But, let's assume the ridiculous claim "people simply don’t plug them in" is true. It is still a hybrid and in the case of the Escape PHEV, when operating in hybrid mode, it's EPA MPG rating is almost as good as the Escape HEV. This never ending nonsense is really old. This article and all the other ones you have posted are propaganda from EV evangelists who are freaked out that PHEVs will slow down EV adoption.

My college car was a used orange 1975 Pinto Wagon. It served me faithfully for five years and was great for camping with the backseat folded down.

A ranger PHEV would open my wallet.

There are a lot of customers that want to tow a heavy trailer but prefer a luxury SUV over a F-150. The Navigator is far from useless.

Who or what is Borg?

True, I waited 10 months for Escape PHEV. I was thinking more of all the new battery capacity that Ford has sourced but not yet online and could be redirected to HEVs/PHEVs.

But, Ford does seem to have an oversupply of battery capacity right now. PHEVs could put some of that overcapacity to use. From my understanding, there are differences between hybrid batteries and BEV batteries that would need to be figured out.

Recently the GM CEO announced that the company would be investing in hybrids. More specifically, it would be PHEVs and they announced they would be rushing PHEV versions of the Sliverado and Sierra to market. This is polar opposite of what Farley has said about Ford's increased emphasis of hybrids. Farley said that the hybrid focus would be on HEVs, not PHEVs. Dropping the Aviator PHEV is consistent with Farley's stated direction. Any thoughts on this dichotomy? I've thought for a long time that GM had made a big mistake by not having a presence in the hybrid sector, but now I think they are displaying more foresight than Ford. PHEVs help on CAFE/carbon issues, customers get a Federal tax credit/rebate, and it is a logical interim step for customers that aren't ready for BEVs. I'm thinking GM has a better plan than Ford on this matter.

Not really a valid comparison. There is a huge difference between being forced to buy an EV vs a conventional ICE that is modified to run on unleaded gas and uses a catalytic converter. The EV experience/transition is radically different.

That is also what is used in the PHEV Ranger and it will also be used in the PHEV Bronco.

I almost wish a certain member that was recently banned was still here. It would be fascinating to hear his take on the EV slowdown.

And it is not just the automotive industries. Chinese companies across all kinds of industries are establishing a huge presence in Mexico. They avoid all import tariffs this way and you can bet bottom dollar they are still being quietly subsidized by the Chinese government. This is especially true of the State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) who do not have to concern themselves with making a profit.

Totally normal during winter/cold weather. If you use the heater during cold weather, then that will impact your EV range in a big way. BEV owners in Chicago and other northern cities are having a terrible time in the cold weather. Your electric range will begin rising as the temperatures rise in the spring/summer.

Worked for IBM 31.5 years as an operating systems programmer and you are spot on. In my experience error/crash recovery was the most difficult part while at the same time maintaining acceptable performance.

In the case of the Escape PHEV (14.4 kWh) and the Escape HEV (1.1 kWh) you can build 13 Escape HEVs for 1 Escape PHEV.

When Farley was talking up hybrids he made a point to mention that the increased hybrid emphasis would not be including PHEVs. I'm not sure why that is unless there is a concern about the larger battery size competing with battery resources for BEVs. I hope that Ford reconsiders that policy in light of the BEV slowdown. I had to wait 10 months for my Escape PHEV and Ford could have sold a lot more of them if they were more readily available.

I agree with you for a HEV. But for a PHEV it will make a "huge" improvement assuming your daily commute and your city driving are within its EV range. A PHEV Ranger falls into this category perfectly.

With that type of hybrid system in a Ranger it would be a huge step backwards in towing ability. It would not work for my needs at all and I don’t think there would be a market for it. We already have the Maverick hybrid for the hybrid system you are describing. My 2020 Ranger’s towing ability is what makes it a great truck for my needs. The 2.3 Ranger PHEV will truly be the best of both worlds with great towing/hauling ability and all EV for town driving.

A PHEV version of the Ranger is already announced for ROW. I've got my heart set on it eventually coming to North America since other midsize trucks are being hybridized. If Ford does not bring it to the USA , then I am going to crawl into a dark corner somewhere and not come out. I suspect the MAP plant rumors about no hybrid drive trains was well before EV sales dropped off. The PHEV (4XE) is the top selling power train in the Wrangler series (https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a44364210/2024-jeep-wrangler-drive/). I think Ford will want to compete with that given the importance of the Bronco family. I guess you could say any PHEV is smoke and mirrors if they are not plugged in. Sure wish you would let go of this argument that PHEVs are not plugged in. It's really old.

Even with a steep ramp up of HEV/PHEVs Ford does not need as much battery production capacity with this EV slowdown. You can put 4-6 PHEVs on the road for one EV. You can put around 40 HEVs on the road for one EV. You can bet on the Bronco getting the same 2.3 PHEV power train as the Ranger. Ford will not let the Wrangler 4XE go unchallenged. And, unlike a HEV Bronco/ Ranger, PHEV versions will see excellent MPG increases with daily commutes and city driving.

GM will be at a competitive disadvantage if they don’t. Right now Ford has a great hybrid portfolio and it will be even stronger as the new 2.3 Ecoboost/PHEV power train is deployed.

Because with the federal tax credit PHEVs can cost less or about the same as a HEV. I accept that some people don't charge PHEVs as they should but we'll never know to an accurate degree how big or small that number is. I can only speak for myself, but my Escape PHEV is always plugged in when it is not being driven. The Escape PHEV is a great car, fits my needs perfectly and I'm buying no gas for my local driving. Another bonus about a PHEV is I'll still be driving to the grocery store if the grid goes down and I'll still be driving to the grocery store if gasoline is unavailable at an affordable cost. The dual fuel flexibility is attractive to me. A small solar PV system I am planning will provide even more self sufficiency.