Some automakers turned to plug-in hybrids when electric vehicle sales started to decline. However, PHEVs might not be the best way to bridge the gap between EVs and gas-powered cars as sales plummet. 

Sales for PHEVs are rapidly declining 

First of all, a PHEV or plug-in hybrid vehicle can use both gas and electric power. You can plug it in to gain an electric charge. These vehicles will run on electricity alone, just gas, and a combination of both. 

Ideally, options like the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Toyota RAV4 PHEV are logical options for those who aren’t ready to fully transition to an EV. 

However, drivers aren’t so sure about this. According to Green Car Reports, plug-in hybrids only accounted for 1.9% of new cars sales between January and August. 

Conventional hybrid models accounted for 10.7% of sales and EVs represented 9.4%. During that period, there were 41 plug-in hybrid models, 60 EVs, and 39 regular hybrid vehicles available. 

So, even though hybrids have fewer options available, drivers are scooping them up. Price could be a deterrent. The average transaction price for a PHEV during this time period was $48,700 compared to $37,700 for a regular hybrid. 

I suspect that reliability also plays a role. Drivers believe that hybrids and EVs are less reliable than gas-powered cars. 

EVs and plug-in hybrids have the highest rates of problems and complaints. However, hybrid cars are now seen as more reliable than gas-powered cars.

Automakers are racing to meet increasing emission standards by 2027 but plug-in hybrids aren’t taking off as expected as automakers like Ford pull back on EV plans.

Also, plug-in hybrids might not be as green as they seem. These models are cleanest when regularly plugged in but there’s no way to ensure drivers actually plug in. They could be polluting more than claimed.