Agree. Harry knows his onions as an ex editor of EVO magazine and others. He has run a PHEV X5 and others and his comparison with a RR sport diesel was interesting. A few years ago, he presented some analysis of CO2 output from a gas fired power station that often charges a BEV. The disingenuous “sustainable” tag used by the ill- informed evangelists has again been exposed by another report on the wood burning DRAX Power station. Moving the tail pipe toxic and particulate emissions from urban to remote locations is brilliant, but the co2 savings more nebulous.
I checked some weights during my investigations, and your PHEVs are @25% or 400kgs heavier than a similar sized Touran. You have considerably more combined bhp and torque to shift the added weight, with the instant max torque of an electric motor available from standstill. The VAG 1.5 has a small amount of brake regen during “smart” start stop, shuts down two cylinders during low load cruise and the dsg disengages drive allowing coasting. The tractable engine pulls effortlessly from 1200rpm and allows a higher gear to be used at town speeds. A different approach from the highly sophisticated Tuscon powertrain and I physically could not cope with charging cables even though have a drive and external sockets. Good luck with the new cars, the HEV version might have suited but Mrs didn’t care for the looks, although the Touran won’t feature on many beauty lists!
ps: Tyre and road wear are a function of weight amongst other factors. Particulate pollution from tyres can be as toxic as diesel. 2.5 ton BEV pax cars are not a free lunch, imho. Harry didn’t mention the fire risks, so neither will I !!!
