Omoda & Jaecoo Philippines may be out to prove the merits of its Super Hybrid System (SHS) plug-in hybrid, but they inadvertently also proved that traditional hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) can just be as cost-effective to run as PHEVs and BEVs.
Using a 418.9-kilometer test route that started from Shell SLEX NB in Binan, Laguna, the Chinese brand brought its Jaecoo J7—the first model locally to be equipped with the SHS—along with a competitor plug-in hybrid PHEV) and traditional (aka self-charging) hybrid (HEV). They also brought their Omoda C5 combustion engine crossover and Omoda E5 battery electric (BEV) crossover along for the ride.
The key takeaway is that the Jaecoo J7 SHS managed the route with a cost of just P 3.33 per kilometer, using the Shell Recharge network. This is slightly lower than the competing PHEV (P 3.47 per kilometer), but surprisingly, much higher than the non-plug-in hybrid (P 2.87 per kilometer). In comparison, the Omoda E5 BEV does P 3.86 per kilometer, while the Omoda C5 ICE showed P 4.54 per kilometer.
The tables, however, are turned when home charging rates are considered. The Jaecoo J7 offers a per-kilometer cost of P 2.74, while the Omoda E5 does so at P 1.65 per kilometer. The competing PHEV? It’s at P 2.94 per kilometer, while the traditional HEV stays at P 2.87 per kilometer. The 10-cent difference may not seem a lot, but over a five-year period (100,000 kilometers), that amounts to P 10,000. The traditional ICE-powered Omoda C5 is almost double at P 4.54 per kilometer.
Omoda & Jaecoo Philippines’ transparency when it comes to these fuel efficiency results is laudable as it proves that PHEVs isn’t all it’s cracked up to be as some of its competitors so claim. Still, the carmaker points out that while this test proves that HEVs can just be as cost-efficient as a PHEV to run, PHEVs can still be advantageous during short, daily commutes. The extended electric-only range effectively transforms it into an EV, while still giving the overall versatility of an HEV when needed. It can still be a one-car solution, especially for those with access to a home charger.
The information is probably better presented in table form.
ReplyDeleteThis alone probes Toyota is doing the right thing.
ReplyDeleteElectrified vehicles may be cheaper to run. But what about when we consider replacing their battery as well as those software upgrades with fees, and the likes?
ReplyDeleteUnless you're BMW who charge to 'unlock' features, software upgrades are free as long as your car's hardware (computer) can support it. With batteries, companies like BYD are claiming that if you buy a car from them right now then by the time the 8 year warranty is expired the cost of a battery replacement in the future will be significantly lower (I forgot the exact price I was told) at like <30% of what it would cost now and your new battery even comes with another 8 years warranty. That's even IF your battery will need to be replaced soon after the warranty runs out.
DeleteThis is because the advantage of electric is a lot less in the highways compared to city driving. But if you make it more city driving or even if same km city driving and highway driving, you will see that the phev and ev will be way more cost effective than traditional hybrids.
ReplyDeleteAlso, this test is a bit unfair because the phev electric range is just 100km while the gas range is 1000km. So you are basically using 90% gas in testing the cost oper km here when the purpose of a phev is to use it like bev, charging it most of the time, and having the gas as backup only. Thus, if you charge most of the time, its cost will be nearer that of an ev.
Also, why charge outside when the rates are more than double that of home charging.
This article just stated using a 418.9-kilometer test route that started from Shell SLEX NB in Binan, Laguna. But it did not say how fast it traveled, how much city or highway driving it covered, and the modes it used like Pure EV or Sport, or Normal, etc.
DeleteWe removed the superfluous details, but for transparency:
Delete" The 418.90 km test route commenced from Shell SLEX NB (Biñan, Laguna), extended to Luna, La Union, and concluded back at Shell TPLEX (Rosario, La Union). This challenging and representative route encompassed a mix of highway and provincial driving, ensuring the data accurately reflects the cost savings and efficiency benefits that consumers can expect in various driving conditions."
Likely, they stuck with whatever default mode the models have. That's the typical standard when doing these FC runs.
Also, i would be the traditional hybrid battery will die out much faster, with less than 1kw capacity and having ran so many cycle in just one full tank due to its small capacity. I have asked a lot of prius owners and their efficiency drops so much in just 2 to 3 years. I wouldn't be surprised if you test phev and traditional hybrid which has clocked in 50,000 km using this same test, and the phev has already become much more economical.
ReplyDeleteExcept that PHEV is the most unreliable of the type of engine than ICE, hybrid or electric
DeleteKaya ba lumusob sa baha hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, fuel cell electric?
DeleteI am not that familiar with Toyota's proprietary (inhouse) battery tech but the standard I've heard (at least with chinese P/H/BEVs) is that you are eligible for a replacement battery if the SOH (state of health) goes below 80%. So those Prius owners should really be taking that up with Toyota if that's true.
Delete@anon 11:22 AM
I know that BYD's batteries are rated at IP67 meaning submersion in water up to 1 meter for at least 30 minutes. Their IP68 batteries are in their expensive cars (the ones they show driving in very deep water). I take this to mean that IP67 P/H/BEVs can withstand the same flood exposure as ICE cars. If the flooding is bad enough to kill ICE cars than your IP67 P/H/BEVs are also 50/50 and should be looked at afterwards just to be safe.
@anon 5:38 AM If you are referencing the latest report from J.D. Power then I'd like to point out that they are not referring to unreliability purely on engine performance/problems but ALL problems (even the smallest non-issue which many respondents do care to count) reported for the cars then reported by type of car (ICE, HEV, BEV, etc.) which is why I find their method of lumping all the scores of the different problem areas together misleading (Consumer Reports, the other big player who also collects data like this, also does the same thing btw).
DeleteThis is their criteria (from the J.D. Power 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study Product Page):
Problem symptoms are evaluated in eight vehicle system categories:
• Exterior
• Seats
• The Driving Experience
• HVAC
• Features/Controls/Displays
• Interior
• Audio/Communication/
Entertainment/Navigation
• Engine/Transmission
If you prefer to watch a video which goes further on this, may I recommend the video; JD Power Explained - Why These Scores Aren't All About "Reliability" on the Youtube channel: Auto Buyers Guide | Alex on Autos.
One final point, to compare in that same 2025 J.D. Power study, the two most problematic car types are; diesel (233 PP100); and PHEVs (242 PP100). That's a 9 point difference or a measly 3.86% more problems being found with PHEVs over diesel cars (which I assume have less tech overall) over 3 years of ownership. So, is there that much to worry about PHEVs? And diba don't Filipinos LOVE diesels?
ICE are still cheaper to run than all of em..
ReplyDeleteNo matter it be ICE, HEV, PHEV, BEV, or FCEV, the thing is that it's still a car that brings you from Point A to Point B.
DeleteICE last a life time, ph jeepneys with isuzu diesel engines last a century💪💪💪
ReplyDeleteI have a well maintained typewriter at home. To hell with phones and computers! Simple technology, simple minds the best! 💪💪💪
DeleteYou're right. Keep things simple. Don't fix if it ain't broken. People these days are adding more and more tech just to be able to make more and more money. Feels like a scam.
DeleteThis is such a misleading article. Shell recharge betwork charging rate is 35 per kwh Expectedly, evs and phevs will cost more. Try cmnparing that with the household charging cost and you will wonder why did you even owned and hev. You have to note that most of the time you wilp be charging at home which wouod coat you only around 10 to 12 php per kwh. You only charge oitside when you do long travels specially that most ev range are now 400 km and up.
ReplyDeleteREAD THE 4TH PARAGRAPH.
DeleteAlso, the data didn't come from us...it came from Omoda & Jaecoo themselves.
Of you have an ev and solar at home it's a free fuel :)
ReplyDelete