I have been keeping a record of the number of trips I have done in my Niro hybrid and their respective distances for a period of 4 months.
It can be summarised as a monthly average of 20 trips and 800 miles total comprising :-
1. 2 trips of 150 miles each way on average
2. 10 trips of 10 miles each way on average
3. 8 trips of 50 miles each way on average
We use our free wrinklies bus passes on the short trips to the local shops on other days
My present Niro had an average economy of 58 mpg over the 4 month period (but 62 mpg for the previous summer months).
If I swap my car for the PHEV version – I calculate that the monthly cost would be approximately as follows. (I have had to make several assumptions which you may not agree with. But one has to start somewhere)
This calculation assumes that the 8.9 kWh battery is allowed to output 6 kWh over the range of 25 miles (0.24 kWh/mile) and that the engine will run for the first 5 miles of each journey to warm up on low power at 120 mpg. Also that the car battery is fully re-charged each day before each trip.
Trip Type 1 (2 Trips. Total miles = 300 miles with 50 miles on EV power)
Engine warm up 2 x 5 miles at 120 mpg = 0.08 gallons
EV running 2 x 25 miles x 0.24 kWh/mile = 12kWh
Engine 2 x 125 at 58 mpg = 4.3 galls
Trip Type 2 (10 trips. Total miles = 100 miles with 100 miles on EV power)
Engine warm up 10 x 5 miles at 120 mpg = 0.42 gallons
EV running 10 x 25 miles x 0.24 kWh/mile = 60 kWh
Engine usage for propulsion = zero
Trip Type 3 (8 Trips. Total miles = 400 miles with 200 miles on EV power)
Engine warm up 8 x 5 miles at 120 mpg = 0.33 gallons
EV running 8 x 25 miles x 0.24 kWh/mile = 48 kWh
Engine 8 x 25 at 58 mpg = 3.5 gallons
Total miles on EV power = 350
Total miles on engine power = 450
Total petrol used per month = 8.63 gallons = 36 litres @ £1.20 = £43.2 (equals 88 mpg overall)
Total electricity consumed charging the battery = 120 kWh @ £0.15/unit = £18
Hence total running costs would be £61/month approximately = £732 for 12 months
Compare that with the cost of running my Niro at present
800 miles @ 58 mpg = 13.8 gallons = 63 litres @ £ 1.20 = £76 (equals 58 mpg overall)
Hence spending more than £10,000 to swap to a PHEV would save me £15 per month or £180 per year. It’s a no brainer.
