Towing with a petrol plug in hybrid.

[cooky1]

Just changed my car for a petrol plug in hybrid. I will be towing this coming weekend for the first time with it and would like some advice from anyone who tows with one.
I assume that I just leave the car in hybrid mode to tow and it will switch between petrol and electric as required. It only has an electric range of about 50 miles, which is fine for home use. I think I will probably use most of that range getting from home to the site towing the caravan. I wonder what I do when on site as I am unable to charge it there. Will the battery just get very low and I will not be able to use any electric power while I am away for a week pottering about? Is it worth while plugging it into a charging point somewhere to get some charge, or will that not be worth the cost?
Any advice from caravanners with hybrids would be appreciated

 

[otherclive]

Commercial chargers vary considerably in the rates they charge so only you can really determine whether it’s worth it. If you know your electric range/consumption you can compare that to the cost of petrol and the mpg that you get. I anticipate that there is probably quite a difference in energy consumption between different hybrids. I would use your trip as an opportunity to try different approaches.

There was a useful thread recently where Tobes quoted commercial charging rates, which varied quite a lot, but he uses fast chargers which are probably not suited to your car.

There’s a member with a Sportage PHEV so you will hopefully get a response based on real world experience.

 

[Tobes]

Hi @cooky1, as @otherclive has said, the cost to pubic charge varies considerably. You will need to get to know your PHEV and figure out the real range you get from the electric side on a full charge, and how many kWh of energy that is. I.e. the miles per kWh or kWh per 100 miles driven. Same for the petrol side of the car when driven on an empty battery (MPG). Then you can figure out how cheap petrol vs electricity has to be in order to select the appropriate energy source when out.

For example - if (when the battery is empty) you achieve 40mpg and fuel is £1.30 a litre or £5.85 a gallon, a mile costs you 14.6p.
If you have a 20kWh usable battery, and you can achieve 60 miles (3miles per kWh), then to be as cost effective as petrol, your electricity needs to cost (14.6p * 3) 43.8p per kWh or less to be as cost effective as petrol.
Charging at home will be massively cheaper (typically between 5p and 25p per kWh depending on electricity tariff), but public charging will be more than that.

 

[cooky1]

Thanks, will give it a go next week and see how I get.

 

[ProfJohnL]

My take on this is slightly different. I would avoid trying to tow on electric power only. Instead as soon as you can switch the car into hybrid mode. The battery power will be most effective supporting the ice power train to maximise mpg whilst towing. If you do deplete the battery completely it might be worth charging the car whilst your out and about on day visits, but don't easte time doing it.

I do not recommend when towing using the cars dedicated battery charge setting that uses the engine to charge the battery when driving. Just put it into hybrid and let it work it out for you.

 

[Oscarmax]

My take on this is slightly different. I would avoid trying to tow on electric power only. Instead as soon as you can switch the car into hybrid mode. The battery power will be most effective supporting the ice power train to maximise mpg whilst towing. If you do deplete the battery completely it might be worth charging the car whilst your out and about on day visits, but don't easte time doing it.

I do not recommend when towing using the cars dedicated battery charge setting that uses the engine to charge the battery when driving. Just put it into hybrid and let it work it out for you.

I always allow the battey to deplete down to 50/60% in EV mode, then switch to hybrid mode, the regenerative system runs more efficiently.

 

[GaryB]

I also run a plug-in hybrid (Audi A6), what I do is use the sat-nav as the car then knows where I'm going and if running in auto-hybrid mode it uses whatever mode of propulsion is the most efficient. I tried to better it but concluded it's more intelligent than me!

 

[otherclive]

I also run a plug-in hybrid (Audi A6), what I do is use the sat-nav as the car then knows where I'm going and if running in auto-hybrid mode it uses whatever mode of propulsion is the most efficient. I tried to better it but concluded it's more intelligent than me!

Mines a sc hybrid and like you I just leave it I normal and it’s surprising how often it runs in EV mode especially on our local A roads and B roads and towns. Very impressed at its overall economy. Plus I’m now quite relaxed not having a rev meter and with hindsight why should I need one as it would continually be flicking on and off. Seriously considering a used EV when we change our Rio runabout.

 

[Oscarmax]

I also run a plug-in hybrid (Audi A6), what I do is use the sat-nav as the car then knows where I'm going and if running in auto-hybrid mode it uses whatever mode of propulsion is the most efficient. I tried to better it but concluded it's more intelligent than me!

My EV auto mode is absolute rubbish, its about as much use as chocolate fire guard.

 

[ProfJohnL]

My EV auto mode is absolute rubbish, its about as much use as chocolate fire guard.

It just goes to show how different manufacturers systems are, and why you shouldn't condenm all hybrids or makes based on one single experience. Each solution will have strengths and weaknesses, and one persons weakness could be anothers strength.

And of course hybrids may not be the solution for everyone. I'd make similar comments about full EV's.

 

[GaryB]

My EV auto mode is absolute rubbish, its about as much use as chocolate fire guard.

I remember you saying before and I tried to better the Audi choices but concluded I'm better off just holding the steering wheel and pressing pedals. I know my place!