10 PHEVs With an EV Mode in 2024
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are a popular alternative to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in today’s market. They cut down on tailpipe emissions, save their owners money at the pumps, and eliminate EV-specific concerns like access to charging architecture. Better yet, some PHEVs can drive like electric cars for short distances, in something of an EV mode.
Can a PHEV operate in all-electric mode?
While not every manufacturer calls it an “EV mode,” many PHEVs have an EPA-estimated electric driving range that could suffice to get a commuter from home to their destination. Here are ten popular plug-in hybrids and their estimated electric-only driving ranges.
| Make and model | EV Mode distance (EPA est) | Starting price |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota Prius Prime | 45 miles | $34,070 |
| Toyota RAV4 Prime | 42 miles | $45,040 |
| Volvo S60 Recharge | 40 miles | $53,145 |
| Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid | 40 miles | $117,495 |
| Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | 38 miles | $42,045 |
| Kia Sportage PHEV | 34 miles | $40,965 |
| Kia Niro PHEV | 34 miles | $35,765 |
| Lexus RX450h+ | 33 miles | $70,580 |
| Mazda CX-70 PHEV | 25 miles | $55,855 |
| Jeep Wrangler 4xe | 22 miles | $52,590 |
Sure, you’re probably not going to be able to go road-tripping in EV mode. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that a handful of plug-in models will take their drivers over 40 miles without using gasoline. For instance, the perennially popular Toyota RAV4 has a plug-in Prime trim that will cover an estimated 42 miles before it uses its 2.5L four-cylinder engine. As a result, the compact SUV will manage 38 mpg combined.
However, some PHEV models won’t cover as much distance in EV mode. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Lexus RX450h+, for example, will drive an estimated 38 and 33 miles on electric power, respectively. However, any lengthier trip will require support from the SUVs’ inline-four-cylinder engines.
Finally, in some models, like the extremely popular Jeep Wrangler 4xe, drivers won’t get as far. Specifically, the electrified off-roader returns an estimated 22 miles of electric-only driving range. Still, despite the comparably short range, Stellantis and Jeep sold over 67,000 Wrangler 4xe models last year.
