Used plug-in hybrid electric car buying guide

Plug-in hybrids (also known as PHEVs) have been around for some time. This means that the state-of-the-art vehicles from a few years ago are no longer available for leasing and are ending up on used car lots. A used PHEV can be tempting, especially (at least for now). possible eligibility for a federal tax credit. But the prospect can also cause greater anxiety than a typical used car purchase.

PHEVs are more complicated than internal combustion engine cars – and bring complications that buyers are unfamiliar with. There were some high-profile PHEVs Subject to callbacks And suffered from reliability issues. Battery technology and the market are also evolving. So we don’t know exactly how PHEVs will age and how much buyers will then value them.

As with any used car purchase, potential buyers need to do their due diligence and answer some critical questions before moving forward.

How do you want to charge and drive the PHEV?

The first natural question when buying a plug-in hybrid: Do you need one? A plug-in hybrid can seem like the “best of both worlds” on paper. But theory is different from practice.

The optimal environment for using a PHEV – short trips, convenient access to the plug – overlaps greatly with the optimal use case for an electric vehicle. Buyer fear or inability to purchase the type of vehicle they want (e.g. a used three-row family minivan) as an electric car could be the reason for switching to a PHEV.

On the other hand, if a buyer has legitimate concerns that would preclude an electric drive – long commutes or long road trips – a traditional hybrid would likely offer just as good if not better efficiency, cost less upfront and be less intrusive.

PHEVs can be very useful and very efficient – if you can charge them regularly with regular access to the socket. Conveniently for buyers, no installation is required a level 2 charger. Many PHEV batteries can be charged overnight from a standard 110V outlet. Ideally, the charging cable provided by the manufacturer is fine. If not, buyers can typically purchase a third-party portable charging cable for $100 to $200.

Is the used PHEV eligible for the federal tax credit?

Currently, a used plug-in hybrid can still receive a federal clean vehicle tax credit worth up to $4,000. To qualify, the vehicle and buyer must meet certain thresholds.

The vehicle must be sold at a dealer, have a price of $25,000 or less, and be at least two years past the calendar year in which it was purchased (in 2024, it would have to be the 2022 model year or older). The PHEV battery must have a capacity of at least 7 kWh and a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 14,000 pounds.

The federal tax credit is income limited for the buyer. A buyer must have earned no more than $150,000 as a co-applicant, $112,500 as a head of household, and no more than $75,000 as an individual.

Chevrolet Volt battery pack rendered

How much battery warranty does the used PHEV have?

Replacing a battery in a plug-in hybrid is rare. The failure rate of PHEV batteries in vehicles built after 2016 – not including recalled vehicles – is “well under one percent.” However, if you need to replace the PHEV battery, the repair can cost several thousand dollars. And that’s something you’d ideally want to do under warranty.

PHEVs typically come with bumper-to-bumper and powertrain warranties similar to those of internal combustion engine vehicles. But many newer models also come with a battery warranty of up to 100,000 or more even 150,000 miles. A battery guarantee gives you peace of mind when purchasing a used PHEV. It should also help protect resale value if the buyer doesn’t keep the vehicle past the 100,000-mile mark.

Has PHEV battery performance deteriorated over time?

All batteries weaken over time. However, if you buy a used plug-in hybrid – at least a current classic car – the deterioration shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Vehicle batteries are last longer than the manufacturers initially feared. Rates of deterioration depend on the vehicle in question and are not always linear. But overall, a PHEV battery should remain within usable range (at least 70-80% of its original capacity) after 100,000 miles.

PHEV batteries in particular are designed for durability. Most PHEV batteries have a lot of unused capacity. This keeps the PHEV battery, which is constantly filled to 100% and discharged to 0%, in a good operating range and puts less strain on the battery.

The loss of range also plays a smaller role with PHEVs than with electric vehicles. Let’s assume that a battery experiences a 10 percent range loss. An electric vehicle with a range of 225 miles instead of the initial 250 miles is a bigger deal than a PHEV with 27 miles of range that offers 24 miles before the gasoline engine kicks in.

Testing the degradation yourself will be difficult; Most dealers will not allow you to borrow the car, drain the battery under simulated daily use, and compare it to expected results. The dealer should be able to perform a battery health test to determine the condition of the vehicle battery. Failure to do so should raise suspicion. This also applies to the stated range on a full charge, which looks significantly less than it should be.

Are you planning to drive your used PHEV in cold weather?

Like full-fledged electric vehiclesPlug-in hybrids can lose all-electric range in extremely cold weather. As with electric vehicles, the main cause is heating the interior, which is difficult to do efficiently. Heat pumps allow a vehicle to heat the interior more efficiently. But this technology is relatively new for full-fledged electric vehicles, let alone PHEVs.

Some PHEVs use an electric heater that draws power and therefore range from the battery. Other PHEVs do not have an electrical component for heating and run the gasoline engine to heat the vehicle when necessary. In any case, you may lose a lot of the efficiency you would normally get from driving a PHEV, especially an older PHEV with a range of less than 20 miles.

Has the used PHEV been properly maintained?

Service history is crucial when purchasing a new car. A plug-in hybrid can be the worst of both worlds from a service perspective. They have complicated and expensive battery packs and electric motors like an electric vehicle. But unlike an electric vehicle, it also has all the moving parts and traditional maintenance required of an internal combustion engine vehicle.

Make sure the seller has detailed, up-to-date service records and that required services have been performed. Like electric vehicles, PHEVs can put more strain on their tires due to the additional weight than combustion engine vehicles. Make sure the tires are in good condition and designed to handle the additional load of the plug-in hybrid.

Interior of the 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Has the PHEV software been updated?

Today, all cars are de facto technical products. Many modern reliability problems will be software related rather than mechanical. You want to ensure that a used PHEV has all software updates installed and the interface is working properly.

A newer infotainment system is better than an older one – it’s less likely to be outdated and more likely to be supported with updates. Also helpful is the ability to perform over-the-air software updates without having to go to the dealer.

Conclusion: Should you buy a used plug-in hybrid?

A plug-in hybrid shouldn’t deter used car buyers in a vacuum. Yes, a PHEV loses efficiency and performance as it ages. But this also applies to vehicles with combustion engines. The expected lifespan of the battery is not that far from that of most internal combustion engines. With due care, buyers can be confident in what they are purchasing. The final question with a used PHEV is not so much whether it makes sense to buy, but whether a PHEV is the vehicle you need.

If a buyer chooses a used PHEV, the best strategy is to find the newest, least wear-and-tear vehicle available within the budget. PHEV technology has become more powerful and resilient in recent years. Longer remaining life means higher value, whether that means longer ownership or better resale value.