118 - PHEV - Plug In Hybrids - are they worth it?

A plug-in hybrid combines an electric motor and battery with a conventional engine. The key difference from a regular hybrid is that you can recharge the battery from an external power source, which can reduce fuel use for commuting.

A rear camera (often part of a broader driver-assist package) helps with visibility when reversing and maneuvering in tight spaces. The hosts are emphasizing coverage “front and back,” which typically means multiple camera angles to reduce blind-spot risk.

The MG ZS EV is an all-electric SUV model from MG. The caller says they’ve had one for nearly five years and are preparing to renew their lease, which makes it a relevant real-world ownership reference for the episode’s discussion.

MG is an automotive brand (owned by SAIC in China) that sells a range of vehicles, including electric models. In this segment, the host references an MG ZS EV as their current car.

Aircon (air conditioning) is the climate-control system that cools the cabin. In EVs, it can affect efficiency and range, which is why the host discusses whether the aircon was “not too good” and later mentions having it fixed under warranty.

Salary sacrifice is an employment arrangement where part of your salary is redirected to pay for certain benefits, often including vehicles. In the transcript, it’s used to explain why the EV is being handled as a lease and why the owner has to return or buy out the car.

In a lease, the residual is the pre-set value the car is expected to be worth at the end of the contract. The lessee can typically buy the car by paying that residual amount (plus any fees), which is why the host mentions paying out the residual.

Warranty is the manufacturer’s promise to cover certain repairs for a set period. Here, the host says issues they reported (like the aircon-related trim and seat coverings) were replaced under warranty.

A conversion to electric refers to taking a vehicle platform originally designed for a different powertrain (often petrol) and adapting it to run on an electric motor and battery. The host uses this idea to describe how the MG EV they bought was essentially a petrol-based car adapted for electric use.

FBT policy refers to Australia’s Fringe Benefits Tax rules, which can change the tax cost of employer-provided or salary-sacrificed vehicles. In this context, it affects whether buying or leasing an EV via salary sacrifice is financially attractive.

EV stands for electric vehicle, meaning the car is powered primarily by an electric motor and a rechargeable battery. The discussion focuses on whether EVs are practical for everyday driving and charging.

A wall charger is a home EV charging unit (often installed on a garage wall) that supplies electricity to the car more efficiently than plugging into a basic outlet. It’s central to making daily EV use convenient.

The Dodge Charger is a large, performance-focused American sedan that’s often discussed in the context of charging because some versions are electric or plug-in hybrids. In a podcast about EVs, it can come up when people compare how owners charge at home versus using public chargers. The “wall charger” and “granny charging” comments point to the practical side of everyday charging for this kind of car.

“Granny charging” is slang for charging an EV using a standard household outlet (typically slower than a dedicated home charger). The hosts argue it can still be enough for commuting if your daily range needs are modest.

“Four-wheel drive EVs” are electric vehicles with power sent to both the front and rear axles, improving traction and enabling better control in low-grip conditions. The speaker notes that such options weren’t common at the time, which is why they’re watching for new releases.

Denza is a premium EV brand associated with BYD, positioned to compete with other luxury-focused electric offerings. The speaker specifically mentions Denza as a potential contender for four-wheel-drive EVs and “super hybrid” products.

BYD is a major Chinese automaker known for producing both EVs and plug-in hybrid technology. Here, BYD is referenced as the parent behind a “premium brand” that the speaker expects to compete in the four-wheel-drive EV space.

“Super hybrid” is a marketing-style phrase implying a plug-in hybrid or advanced hybrid system with stronger electric capability than a basic hybrid. In this segment it’s used to describe what the speaker expects from BYD’s premium brand.

PHEV stands for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. It combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and a battery you can recharge from an external power source.

Roadside assistance is a service that helps if your vehicle breaks down or you have an issue on the road. It’s commonly included in new-car deals for a set period and may cover towing or on-site help.

The hosts discuss the idea of “EV influencers,” meaning people who publicly review or promote electric vehicles and influence other buyers. In this context, they’re referencing how someone used their information to make an independent purchase decision.

“CarPlay dropouts” means Apple CarPlay temporarily disconnects or loses its connection to the car’s infotainment system. It can show up as the screen going black, audio stopping, or the interface repeatedly reconnecting. In this episode, it’s treated as a software/infotainment issue that might be fixable.

Apple CarPlay is a smartphone integration system that mirrors compatible iPhone apps onto the car’s infotainment display. It typically uses a wired or wireless connection and provides navigation, music, calls, and messaging through the car’s screen and controls. Issues like “dropouts” usually point to connectivity or infotainment software stability.

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid car best known for popularizing fuel-saving technology for everyday driving. It often comes up in EV and hybrid discussions because it represents a stepping stone between traditional cars and fully electric vehicles. The podcast mention of “the first model Prius” and “the second Prius” suggests they’re talking about early generations and how ownership experience can differ by model year.

In this context, “hybrids” refers to vehicles that combine an internal-combustion engine (petrol) with an electric motor. The key idea is that the car can use both power sources, but the system can be complex because it has to manage how and when each one contributes.

An electric motor is the component that converts electrical energy from the battery into rotational force to drive the wheels. In hybrids and plug-in hybrids, it can provide propulsion on its own for some driving and also assist the petrol engine.

The Holden Volt is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sold under the Holden brand in Australia. It uses a gasoline engine and an electric motor, with the battery charged from an external power source.

The Chevrolet Volt is a plug-in hybrid that can run on electricity for a period, then switches to a gasoline engine to keep driving. It’s frequently discussed in EV-focused podcasts because it sits between pure EVs and traditional cars, and charging habits matter to how it’s used. The “Volt was the Volta Volt” comment reflects how the name and concept get remembered in conversation.

A petrol engine is the internal-combustion engine that burns gasoline to produce mechanical power. In plug-in hybrids, it often acts as a generator and/or backup propulsion source when the battery is depleted or when more power is needed.

An electric battery stores energy that powers the electric motor. In plug-in hybrids, the battery can be charged from the grid, allowing the car to drive electrically for a limited range before the petrol engine takes over more often.

The Volvo V40 is a compact car that the speaker currently owns, described here as a diesel. The discussion uses it as a practical baseline for why they need a different vehicle due to space constraints for family members.

Diesel refers to an engine that runs on diesel fuel and typically uses compression ignition rather than spark ignition. Diesel cars can be chosen for efficiency and torque, but they may be less suitable depending on local regulations and personal use needs.

Pickles is mentioned as a place to buy a second-hand car (“second hand off pickles”). In Australia, Pickles is known for auctions and vehicle sales, which can affect pricing and availability when shopping used.

The Volvo C40 is a compact battery-electric crossover from Volvo. In this segment, it’s mentioned as part of the “Volvo family” the speaker wanted to stick with while shopping for a second-hand EV.

“Dealer demos” are cars used by a dealership for test drives and showroom/marketing purposes. They’re often sold with lower mileage than a typical used car, but they may have been driven more aggressively or have more wear than a private-party used vehicle.

“Z car” appears to be a mishearing or shorthand for a specific EV model, but the transcript doesn’t provide enough clarity to identify the exact make/model. It’s still a meaningful part of the shopping story because the speaker compares options and dealer demos.

“Vehicle for grid” refers to using a plug-in vehicle as part of the power grid—typically by allowing the car’s battery to be charged from the grid and, in some setups, to supply power back. This is often discussed alongside “V2G” (vehicle-to-grid) capabilities, which can make a PHEV/EV more than just transportation.

A panoramic sunroof is a large glass roof opening that typically spans much of the cabin, letting in more light and sometimes improving the sense of space. The speaker’s complaint about it lacking a cover/awning highlights how usability can differ from the “looks great” expectation.

A software update is a change to the car’s onboard computer that can fix issues or improve features after the vehicle is already sold. In this segment, the hosts credit an update for transforming the car from “annoying” to “one of the best,” implying the earlier problems were software-related.

A window blind is a retractable or adjustable cover that blocks light and improves privacy. In cars, it’s often a specific feature on certain trims or models, and it can be part of what the hosts mean by “ticking every box.”

“Boot” is the British term for the trunk/storage area at the back of a car. The hosts mention it as a practical requirement, implying they wanted more cargo space than some alternatives.

Budget creep is when planned spending gradually increases over time, often because of added options, higher trims, or unexpected costs. Here, the hosts describe starting around 30 and ending up at 42 as they moved up in options.

Charge rate is how quickly the battery can be recharged, usually measured in kilowatts (kW) for EV charging. It depends on the car’s onboard charging hardware, the charger’s output, and sometimes battery temperature and state of charge.

A trickle charger refers to a low-power charging method that tops up the battery slowly over many hours. It’s commonly used with overnight charging when daily driving doesn’t require a full fast charge.

Charging refers to replenishing the battery in an EV or plug-in hybrid by plugging into a power source (home charger, workplace charger, or public charging network). The hosts emphasize getting into a routine rather than stressing about it.

“Driveway price” is a shopper’s way of talking about the total cost to get the car into your possession—often similar to an out-the-door price. It typically includes fees and add-ons beyond the base sticker price.

Ordering online refers to buying a vehicle through an online sales process rather than only through a local dealership. The hosts mention it as one way shoppers try to reduce cost or improve deal terms.

“Getting a car off the boat” means importing a vehicle that’s still in transit by sea, then selling it once it arrives. The hosts use it to describe another route shoppers sometimes take to find better pricing.

The Honda Jazz is a small, practical hatchback known for its efficient packaging and easy everyday driving. In this segment it’s mentioned as the current car the speaker has while discussing what they’d buy next.

The Fiat 500 is a small city car designed for tight streets and easy parking. It’s often mentioned in EV podcast conversations when comparing “small car” practicality—especially when someone says it’s too small for larger drivers or for certain uses. The reference to other small cars in the same breath highlights how size and packaging affect comfort and everyday usability.

The Mitsubishi Outlander is a popular SUV that’s offered in plug-in hybrid form (depending on market/trim). Here it’s brought up as what the speaker’s parents drive, and it’s used to illustrate that plug-in hybrids can reduce how much petrol they use.

Instant torque is the immediate twisting force electric motors deliver from a stop, without waiting for engine revs. That’s why EVs often feel especially responsive during acceleration compared with many petrol cars.

“Zero to 100” refers to how quickly a car accelerates from 0 km/h to 100 km/h. It’s a common performance metric used to compare how fast different EVs (and other cars) feel in acceleration.

The Hyundai Ioniq is a family of electrified cars (including hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, depending on generation). The hosts mention it as a possible used alternative when shopping for an EV/PHEV-style option.

This appears to refer to a “novated lease,” a leasing arrangement common in some countries (notably Australia) where an employer and the lease provider structure payments through salary packaging. In the EV context, it can affect affordability and eligibility for certain vehicle types.

The Mercedes-Benz GLC 350 is a compact luxury SUV from Mercedes-Benz. In this episode it’s mentioned in the context of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), meaning the GLC 350 variant they drove likely has both an electric motor and a gasoline engine, with the ability to charge from the grid.

Electric mode is a drive setting that prioritizes using the electric motor and battery instead of the petrol engine. In a PHEV, electric mode may still limit how aggressively the car can accelerate or may switch out if the battery falls too low.

Battery saver is a PHEV drive mode that protects the battery’s charge level. Instead of using the battery as much as possible, the system uses the petrol engine more to keep the battery from dropping too low.

Plugging in nightly is a usage strategy for PHEVs to maximize time spent driving on electricity. If your daily driving is within the car’s electric range, consistent charging can mean the petrol engine stays mostly unused.

Fast charging refers to higher-power charging that can add significant battery energy in a shorter time compared with home charging. It matters most when you need to top up quickly for longer trips or when you can’t charge overnight.

MBUX is Mercedes-Benz’s infotainment software/platform. It’s the system that powers the car’s screens and controls, so when the hosts say it’s the same “MBUX,” they mean the interface and features feel similar.

An EV charger is the charging station (home wallbox or public station) used to replenish the battery in an electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid. The discussion highlights “range anxiety” concerns—whether chargers will be available when you need them.

Hybrid mode is a driving setting that blends electric drive and the gasoline engine rather than forcing the car to run purely on electricity. The hosts want to compare how much petrol is used when the car is allowed to manage power in this way.

Recuperation is the process of recovering energy during deceleration—often called regenerative braking in EV and hybrid discussions. Instead of wasting that energy as heat, the system uses it to recharge the battery.

The EV plug is the connector used to charge the vehicle’s battery from an external charger. PHEVs typically have a dedicated charging port (separate from the fuel filler) and may show charging instructions on the dashboard.