Share

Hybrid Outlander could power 150 homes?

CIRENCESTER, England – In October 2014, Wheels24 reported on Roz Drinkwater (50), a mum-of-two from Christchurch, England, who enjoys free motoring, thanks to the solar panels on her home also recharging her hybrid Mitsubishi plug-in Outlander PHEV.

The Outlander PHEV uses a unique energy recovery system to harvest electricity that would otherwise be lost. The hybrid, Mitsubishi says, has a claimed overall fuel consumption of 1.9 litres/100km with emissions of 44g/km.

The automaker reports that during 160km of mixed driving, as much as 15kW/h of otherwise wasted energy is harvested and put back into the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery.

POWERING HOMES?

Mitsubishi said: "This means that, in a year of driving (16 000km), a single Outlander plug-in could create enough electricity to keep on the lights and appliances in 150 suburban homes for a day – OFGEM*  figures put average daily electricity use in a UK home at around 10kW/hr."

The recovery of kinetic energy is maximised by the car using what the automaker claims is a unique paddle-shift system that selects from five precise levels of regenerative braking.

IMAGE GALLERY: 2015 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

Drivers control when and where kinetic energy is harvested significantly increases the mix of battery power in the vehicle’s hybrid drive-train. The automaker comments: "Replenishing the battery in this way extends the petrol-free driving range and offsets the need for power that would otherwise be drawn from a power-grid charging infrastructure."

The Outlander plug-in accurately displays harvested energy and use while paddle-shifts enable the driver to optimise the level of regenerative braking.

Steep descents and motorway speeds allow for stronger regenerative braking using level five. Levels two, three and four provide a productive level of regeneration in urban areas. Level one provides a lighter but still beneficial level of energy recovery.

PLUG-IN CAR GRANT

The Outlander plug-in attracts zero vehicle excise duty in the UK and is exempt from the London anti-pollution charge. It also qualifies for the UK's R86 000 plug-in car grant.

For company-car drivers the Outlander attracts only 5% benefit-in-kind tax, saving the equivalent of R141 390 in personal tax over three years compared to a similar normal 4x4 SUV.

The family-sized SUV has both battery and petrol power but the Outlander PHEV can travel 50km on battery power.

* Office of Gas and Electricity Markets - Regulates the electricity and gas markets in the UK.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE