Something that carmakers believe is a very good idea isn’t yet resonating with car buyers.
Plug-in hybrids seem perfect for people with EV range anxiety. You drive a short distance in pure electric mode, then the gasoline engine kicks in. Carmakers are planning more of them.
However, Brett Gruber with J.D. Power says there’s a problem.
“The problem is that there is a disconnect between what we think is a benefit to consumers and then the real world usage of those vehicles,” Gruber said.
Gruber, who heads the EV practice at J.D. Power, says buyers pay a premium for a plug-in hybrid, but find often the ranges aren’t enough to get them through the day without using some gasoline.
Plug-in hybrids only make up about 2% of the market, while full electrics are getting close to 10%.
