Hybrid cars will no longer be defined as ‘electrified vehicles’ by an influential automotive analyst – because their main fuel type is petrol or diesel, not electricity.
JATO Dynamics says only pure electric and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles will now meet its definition of electrified vehicles.
The firm has also removed mild hybrids (mHEVs) from the category. Both have been moved to the traditional internal combustion engine class.
“The primary fuel type of HEVs is not electricity, but consists of either petrol, diesel or alcohol,” says JATO.
“Similarly, despite featuring an electric machine that can provide electric assistance (or torque boost), mHEVs are fuelled by an internal combustion engine.”
The move is in line with industry definitions, added JATO.
Define ‘hybrid’
The UK government has bought forward the phase-out of regular petrol and diesel cars to 2030 – but there is a five-year ‘grace period’ for hybrid vehicles.
The government hasn’t yet defined what it will consider ‘hybrid’, other than stating such vehicles must ‘drive a significant distance with no carbon coming out of the tailpipe’.
Minimum pure electric distance requirements will be ‘defined through consultation’.
Many are assuming that only plug-in hybrid vehicles, some of which can cover 50 miles or more in zero-emissions mode before the engine starts up, will be included in this definition.
JATO Dynamics’ redefinition of electrified vehicles may now form part of the government’s decision-making evidence.
In research, global hybrid vehicle leader Toyota found that its cars average more than 50 percent of everyday journeys in engine-off zero-emissions mode – and the new Yaris can travel up to 80 percent of a journey in carbon-free mode.
As the 2030 deadline nears, the argument on both sides is certain to harden.
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