The Golf GTE _is_ a plug in hybrid. The eTSI is a mild hybrid (no electric only range - just mild assist). The Golf GTE and e-Hybrid are both plug-in hybrid models, with "up to" 80 or so miles electric only range. However, that 80 mile figure is for the latest variant. Older GTEs had smaller batteries with much lower electric only range.
AFAIK there are no regular hybrids (self charging is an awful marketing term coined by Toyota) with an electric range of 10 miles, after all - what would be the point?
The only form of charging in a regular hybrid is from regenerative braking. Because there is inherent loss in the charge / discharge (power) cycle in the form of heat, you never get back quite what you put in. This being the case, having a battery that is big enough to drive 10 miles would be a waste of weight and resource as it would never ever get filled, unless you start your journey at the top of the Stelvio pass, coast all the way way down and use only the regen breaks to fill the battery - for at least 11 miles!
Well Dusty has led me astray on that one. My self charging hybrid does well to get me off of the drive, but I’ve not yet explored all of the many menu options. 🤣
Doesn’t an X trail self charge using the engines well as regenerate. ?
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Not me Clive My mate who bought the GTE it’s an early 22.
This article explains the performance of the latest model. Seems that all that glitters isn’t gold.
Best you guys talk to VW. Beyond me🤪
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Some hybrids will charge their own battery if there is engine power otherwise going to waste. For example, if the engine is running just to produce heat for the cabin, or to drive the AC compressor (if it is not electric), and the engine has a starter/generator, it may add some energy to the battery. This is not the case for all hybrids.
However, in a plug-in hybrid, there is usually a specific mode (charge or save or some other name) that will force the ICE to charge the battery. Unless you engage that mode, the battery will be slowly consumed by the motor, until you have an empty battery and revert to regular hybrid mode.
Conservation of energy (2nd law of thermodynamics) essentially says that a hybrid with big battery is pointless, and a big battery is only useful if you can plug in.
I.e. there is no "free" energy to charge the battery from an ICE engine, and any charging that is done direct from the engine purely for that purpose will use more energy than you can get back via the electric motor.
The _only_ time direct charging a battery from the engine can make any kind of sense (and even that is questionable IMHO) is if you have a setup like the Nissan X-trail e-power. A small petrol engine that has only one job - to drive a generator to charge the battery. There is no conventional transmission and the engine only runs at its most efficient RPM, to try and maximise its total efficiency and remove the loss from the transmission from the system. Those cars also have a small battery (1.8kWh) for the same reason a regular hybrid does. carrying more weight does not help unless you can actually plug in to charge.
It was your comment “hybrid” which led me astray as that’s normally used for non plug in variants. But you’re forgiven. 🤣
Clive
Jokes apart you know I’m no fool but play a bit on here as a thicko. I think I really am a thicko now. The hybrid understanding came from this statement:-
The powerful hybrid drive in the Golf GTE is made up of an almost silent electric motor with seamless power transmission and an innovative 1.4L TSI direct injection petrol engine with 150 PS, which generates an incredibly dynamic drive with low consumption.
I’m Confused dot com on hybrid🙉😉
Dusty
Likewise, so I think I will “dust” the ice off of the car and go and fetch a nice Chinese takeaway and we can watch a nice film. Exciting day tomorrow, I’m off with daughter to pick up her new car……I’m told it’s a hybrid with more Zumba than her late beloved 9.5 turbo. 😂🥢🧧
Frankly Tobes I am even more confused from all your statements
Let me be a Devils Advocate and ask. But please I do not expect you wasting your time replying.
.
I understand my son’s Volvo XC 40 Recharge, now ,how it works and its limitations. I keep a close eye on it and do appreciate the good and indeed the numerous bad points.
My friends VW Golf GTE has caused some issues. Beyond me but clearly there are disparities on what’s what about self charge or plug in.
Perhaps with your wealth of EV knowledge you could give us all a simpletons explanation of the variations. Please don’t say Google it!
Buckman mentioned elsewhere about pollution from mining etc. Yes he is correct and we cannot ignore the terrible waste pools and youngster labour in South America mining the Lithium. Australia of course are more sympathetic to the ecology but their pricing is 4 times more. I am sure things will improve globally but not by 2030.
Let’s not bash the ghost but lest we forget the U K is not a major polluter and I for one do not wish to be clean while dumping on someone else doorstep.
With few exceptions the EV will evolve but not within the time frames suggested. We are entering a massive economic recession meaning Sillybands fantasies may well be delayed by decades.
If the proposed evolution and costs of EVs doesn’t reduce then caravanning will cease to be a hobby and staycation will become the norm .
Maybe a train ride from Euston to a Blackpool B&B Guest House.
You have to ask if the average person can afford the EV route? I wonder🙉
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.....this report below maybe of interest as the UK is bound to follow the EU's lead regarding B driver licencing.
Caravanning may decline due to lack of user friendly towing vehicles but I can see a corresponding increase in motorhomes.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"Extension of driving licences to 4.25 tonnes for motorhomes gets one step closer.
Further progress has been made towards an extension of the B driving licence to 4.25 tonnes for motor caravans by the European Parliament.
In its first reading on the reform of the Driving Licence Directive, the European Parliament approved an extension of the B driving licence to 4.25 tonnes for motor caravans and in December 2023, the second EU institution also gave the green light for the driving licence amendment the caravanning industry has been calling for.
The exact framework conditions for the extension of driving licences will be negotiated in the trialogue between the Commission, Council and Parliament after the new elections to the European Parliament (6 to 9 June 2024).
An extension to 4.25 tonnes offers the opportunity to make sustainable and family-friendly travel by motor caravan accessible to millions of people in the future.
The increase in the maximum permissible weight to 4.25 tonnes for the B driving licence is to apply to motor caravans and ambulances, regardless of the type of engine. For other vehicle types, the increase in the gross vehicle weight is linked to the use of an alternative drives.
The European caravanning industry has been campaigning for years through its umbrella association, the European Caravan Federation (ECF), to extend the weight limit of the B driving licence to 4.25 tonnes for all motorhomes. Simple, consumer-friendly regulations are necessary to enable people to enjoy climate-friendly, family-friendly and safe holidays. An increase in the weight limit to 4.25 tonnes, which is open to all technologies, will also serve regional development and contribute to the fulfilment of European sustainability goals."
Caravanning may decline due to lack of user friendly towing vehicles but I can see a corresponding increase in motorhomes.
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
"Extension of driving licences to 4.25 tonnes for motorhomes gets one step closer.
Further progress has been made towards an extension of the B driving licence to 4.25 tonnes for motor caravans by the European Parliament.
In its first reading on the reform of the Driving Licence Directive, the European Parliament approved an extension of the B driving licence to 4.25 tonnes for motor caravans and in December 2023, the second EU institution also gave the green light for the driving licence amendment the caravanning industry has been calling for.
The exact framework conditions for the extension of driving licences will be negotiated in the trialogue between the Commission, Council and Parliament after the new elections to the European Parliament (6 to 9 June 2024).
An extension to 4.25 tonnes offers the opportunity to make sustainable and family-friendly travel by motor caravan accessible to millions of people in the future.
The increase in the maximum permissible weight to 4.25 tonnes for the B driving licence is to apply to motor caravans and ambulances, regardless of the type of engine. For other vehicle types, the increase in the gross vehicle weight is linked to the use of an alternative drives.
The European caravanning industry has been campaigning for years through its umbrella association, the European Caravan Federation (ECF), to extend the weight limit of the B driving licence to 4.25 tonnes for all motorhomes. Simple, consumer-friendly regulations are necessary to enable people to enjoy climate-friendly, family-friendly and safe holidays. An increase in the weight limit to 4.25 tonnes, which is open to all technologies, will also serve regional development and contribute to the fulfilment of European sustainability goals."
Clearly an initiative to enable electric motorhomes to be more viable. Good idea.
Either way it is such a shame that so many people at caravan dealerships lost their jobs just before Christmas spoiling their holiday enjoyment.
How true your post is.👍
My local dealer is pushing hard on a number of very attractive add ons for motor homes , new and used. Only a few minor offers on caravans. Must keep an eye on their stocks😉
I had a mild hybrid (mHEV) Volvo XC40, and now have a Hybrid (non plug-in) Sportage.
The mHEV is a real load of marketing rubbish. About all the Volvo did was enhanced start/stop, and only delivered about 36 mpg. The Sportage is a revelation. The "EV" element is very good in town and slow traffic (<30mph). It's average MPG solo is around 55 mpg. This drops in winter because the ICE is the source for heat, and so runs much more. Winter mpg is around 47mpg. The noticeable feature is seeing 90+ mpg when on a short errand type run (where the car warms up on the way out and is already warm on the return)... Transition from EV to ICE (and even Hybrid - both prime movers working) are unnoticeable, although with judicious use of the right foot one can ease off a little and reinstate EV mode...
I'm a convert to HEV, and would have gone for PHEV (Plug-in) if the towing limit wasn't so small (1300kg compared with 1650kg)
The mHEV is a real load of marketing rubbish. About all the Volvo did was enhanced start/stop, and only delivered about 36 mpg. The Sportage is a revelation. The "EV" element is very good in town and slow traffic (<30mph). It's average MPG solo is around 55 mpg. This drops in winter because the ICE is the source for heat, and so runs much more. Winter mpg is around 47mpg. The noticeable feature is seeing 90+ mpg when on a short errand type run (where the car warms up on the way out and is already warm on the return)... Transition from EV to ICE (and even Hybrid - both prime movers working) are unnoticeable, although with judicious use of the right foot one can ease off a little and reinstate EV mode...
I'm a convert to HEV, and would have gone for PHEV (Plug-in) if the towing limit wasn't so small (1300kg compared with 1650kg)
I wonder if there are any motorhomes under 3500 kg GVW with a 3500 kg towing limit - that way you could put a nice car on a trailer and use it once you sited the motorhome.
Your experience mirrors mine with a RAV4 hybrid. Today took daughter to a dealership to collect her new MG hybrid. Mine showed 54 mpg driven just the same as my previous Kia Xceed 1.5 turbo auto which would have probably shown around 40-45mpg on that trip. Yet the RAV4 is 2.5 litre plus electric. I’m surprised how often even on a longer speedier trip it cuts into EV mode as you ease off on bends, go downhill, touch brakes etc. Still learning how it works though, but it’s no tow car with 800 kg braked load. At least I’m confident it hasn’t been used for caravanning 😂
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