YOU usually expect an SUV to be some dirty, gas-guzzling machine ratcheting up large fuel bills for their owners, but for Peter Young his visits to the bowser are few and far between.
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Mr Young is the owner of a plug-in hybrid electric SUV, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, and although he’s only owned it for two weeks, he’s already impressed.
“The range of the vehicle on electric only is 50-60 kilometres,” Mr Young said. “I can get most of my weekly commute on a single charge.”
On weekends, when Mr Young takes the car for a longer drive, the hybrid system displays excellent fuel economy.
“The official figures, and they’re always optimistic, say that the car will use 1.9 litres per 100 kilometres,” Mr Young said.
This is not Mr Young’s first foray into hybrid technology. His last car was a Toyota Prius.
“I really like both the technology in them and the environmental benefits of electric cars,” Mr Young said. “The PHEV is different to the Prius though because it’s all electric. The petrol engine in the PHEV is only there to charge the batteries when they get too low.”
Lower running and maintenance costs, the larger size of the vehicle plus some cool technology all cemented his buying decision.
“You get an app with the car that you can set to turn on the airconditioner at a certain time so that when you get to the car it’s already cooled down to the temperature you set,” he said.
The car can also be programmed to charge only during off-peak rates, with a recharge costing around $2.50.
“It takes about seven to eight hours on a 10-amp system,” Mr Young said. “It would be less if I had a 15-amp system.”
Those who read Mr Young’s column in the Daily would know he can relate almost anything to a movie. This car is no different.
“It makes almost no sound as it goes along,” Mr Young said, “so for pedestrian safety when it’s running under 40km/h it emits a hum that’s just like a Cylon from Battlestar Galactica.”
