• • • ELECTRICAL VEHICLES • • •
SAY HI TO HYBRIDS WITH BIGGER ELECTRIC HEARTS
Car manufacturers are feeding the growing consumer demand for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) with larger batteries, says Viktors Nikolajevs from the EV charge point manufacturer, CTEK By Viktors Nikolajevs, CTEK
T
he extra kWh available from the bigger battery is enabling longer distances of electric-only driving.
Viktors, UK Key Account Manager for EVSE at
CTEK, said: “It’s affecting how drivers use their PHEVs and potentially increasing the demand for away from home charging, such as at destinations.” While earlier-generation PHEVs offered
electric-only ranges of just 20 to 30 miles, new and upcoming models are providing a range suitable for daily driving. The BMW 530e now provides up to 64 miles of electric range. The Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e offers up to 80 miles, thanks to large batteries. Similarly, the Volvo XC60 Recharge, Range Rover
P460e and Peugeot 408 Plug-In Hybrid now routinely offer 40 to 75 miles, enough to cover most daily commutes entirely on electric power. And the new BMW X5 PHEV supports quicker 3-phase charging and also has a large battery (25.7 kWh, good for more than 60 miles) and a price that makes it a potential company car for some businesses.. This trend aligns with what drivers are saying:
most daily travel needs fall within the 30-to-40-mile range, and with these new PHEVs the use of petrol can be the exception rather than the rule. Viktors said: “I’ve read of one XC60 driver saying ‘I drive electric 90 per cent of the time. On longer trips, I use petrol, but that’s a trade-off I can live with’. This shift isn’t anecdotal, it’s showing up in sales data.”
According to the UK’s Society of
Motor Manufacturers and Traders: • Electrified vehicles (BEVs & PHEVs) made up 36 per cent of new car registrations in June 2025
• PHEVs saw a 28.8 per cent rise in sales in June 2025 compared to June 2024, growing market share from 9.3 per cent to 11.2 per cent
• The 21,382 new PHEVs registered in June 2025 were more than double the number of new diesel-only cars (10,716).
Viktors said: “This market share growth is
happening alongside the release of longer-range PHEV models, suggesting that consumers are responding to improved electric capabilities. “Our research underlines the growing
importance of destination charging, being able to charge where the vehicle is parked during a stay or visit, such as at hotels, tourist attractions, restaurants or shopping centres. “Many PHEV drivers are now comfortable using
petrol occasionally but prefer to recharge whenever possible, especially while staying somewhere for a few hours or overnight. “I heard another EV driver say ‘we used petrol
on the motorway, sure. But we charged at our hotel and used only electricity for all our local driving the next day. That made the trip feel cleaner, and more relaxed’.” With destination charging, even long journeys become more electric, reducing fossil fuel use and
20 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • NOVEMBER 2025
emissions without disrupting travel plans. Modern PHEVs don’t just go further, they now charge faster. Many support 11kW 3-phase AC, allowing a full recharge in under two hours. That means destination charging doesn’t need to be limited to overnight stays. Short stops for a meal, event or shopping trip can easily restore a full battery, if the chargers are there. Viktors said: “Destination charging is quickly
becoming an expected amenity. For hotels, retail parks, leisure venues and restaurants, offering EV charging can attract eco-conscious customers, enhance dwell time and spending, demonstrate sustainability leadership and futureproof facilities for growing demand. Just like Wi-Fi a decade ago, charging access is fast becoming essential, not optional.” CTEK’s findings, supported by strong 2025 sales
data, confirm a major evolution in PHEV use: electricity for the everyday, fuel only when needed. The growth in battery size, real-world EV range and smart charging capability has turned PHEVs into highly capable, low-emission travel tools. Viktors concludes: “But for this electric-first
model to thrive, infrastructure must evolve too. Destination charging, accessible, convenient and reliable, is now essential to making PHEVs a fully effective bridge to zero-emission mobility.”
https://www.ctek.com
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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