Plug-in Hybrid EV

There are two PHEV models to choose from: the Outlander Plug-in Hybrid EV and the Eclipse Cross Plug-in Hybrid EV. Built with Mitsubishi’s Plug-in Hybrid Technology, the Outlander PHEV seats seven, has a good electric-only range, AWD on most grades, and a solid safety package. The Eclipse Cross PHEV is smaller and has more of a sporty coupe-SUV look, but it runs the same plug-in hybrid setup and works well for urban and suburban driving. Both models use an electric motor backed by a petrol engine, so you get real-world range flexibility regardless of where you are driving. 

The Outlander PHEV has an electric-only range of up to 84km under NEDC testing. In practice, that is plenty to cover the average Australian daily commute, which sits around 30-40km, without touching the petrol. The battery charges overnight on a standard 240V household outlet, so you will typically start each morning with a full electric range. When the battery runs low, the petrol engine kicks in automatically and keeps you moving without any interruption.

A plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) has two power sources: a rechargeable battery that drives an electric motor, and a conventional petrol engine. For shorter everyday trips, you can drive on electric power alone, which costs less per kilometre than petrol and produces no direct tailpipe emissions. When the battery runs low, or when you need extra grunt for overtaking or highway driving, the petrol engine takes over automatically. PHEVs also use regenerative braking, which captures energy each time you slow down and feeds it back into the battery. Unlike a regular hybrid, you can plug a PHEV in to recharge the battery from an external power source.

Charge time varies depending on which power source you use. On a standard 240V household power point, a full charge takes around 8-10 hours. Most people plug in overnight and wake up with a full battery, which works well for daily commuting. A dedicated home wall charger cuts that down to roughly 3-5 hours. Public AC chargers run at a similar speed to wall chargers, while DC fast chargers can add a useful amount of charge in less time. For regular commuters, overnight home charging handles everything.

Government incentives for plug-in hybrid vehicles vary by state and territory, and the criteria can change. Several Australian states offer benefits for low-emission vehicles, such as stamp duty exemptions, registration concessions, and purchase rebates, though not all of these apply to PHEVs in every state. Check with your state or territory government's transport or environment department for current details, or ask your local dealer, who should be across what is available at the time of purchase.

PHEVs do use petrol, but for many drivers it is not much. If your daily driving is short, you can cover most of it on electric power and use very little fuel across the week, which means you’ll see real savings on your fuel costs compared to a conventional petrol car. For longer trips or when the battery runs low, the petrol engine takes over and gives you full driving range. You can refuel at any petrol station as you normally would. That is a real advantage over a fully electric vehicle, especially for drivers who regularly travel to regional areas where charging infrastructure is limited.

PHEVs are perfect for long journeys. When the battery runs out, the petrol engine takes over automatically, and there is no noticeable interruption to the drive. You can refuel at any service station along the way, just like a regular car. There is no need to plan your route around charging stations, which is a genuine advantage on long regional drives or interstate trips.

PHEV models include both the standard connected tech and additional features specific to the hybrid system. Most grades come with a digital driver information display, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a dedicated EV drive interface showing real-time power flow between the battery, electric motor, and petrol engine. Higher grades add a larger touchscreen, premium audio, and a multi-view camera system. The EV drive modes, which include series EV, parallel, and battery save, let you manage how the system uses electric and petrol power for different driving situations.

Mitsubishi’s PHEV models carry the same 10-year/200,000km vehicle warranty as the rest of the range, provided you service at an authorised Mitsubishi dealership. The high-voltage drive battery is also covered separately, with its own 8-year/160,000km warranty. On top of that, capped-price servicing runs for 10 years, so you know what each service will cost before you book it in.