Plug-in Hybrids
A plug-in hybrid or PHEV is an electrified vehicle that combines the efficiency of an electric motor with the flexibility of a conventional petrol engine, giving you the best of both worlds in a single car. Unlike a traditional hybrid, a PHEV carries a significantly larger battery, that you can charge from an external power source, allowing it to operate as a pure electric vehicle mode for many everyday trips (depending on usage and driving conditions) and seamlessly switch to petrol power when you need the range.
The electric motor is integrated directly within the transmission, which means the car can run on electricity alone, petrol alone, or a combination of both, with the system automatically blending petrol and electric power, depending on driving conditions and your selected driving mode.
Difference Between a Hybrid and a Plug-in Hybrid
Both hybrids and plug-in hybrids use an electric motor alongside a petrol engine, but the way they manage and store energy is quite different.
Standard Hybrids (HEV)
A conventional hybrid car, like a self-charging hybrid, uses a small battery that charges itself through regenerative braking and the petrol engine. It can drive short distances at low speeds on electric power alone and assist the engine to reduce fuel consumption, but it cannot be charged externally and relies primarily on the petrol engine for longer driving.
Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV)
A PHEV takes electrification a step further. Its larger battery can be charged from a wall socket, a home charger, or a public charging station, giving you a genuine electric-only driving range for daily use. Many Australian daily commutes fall within the electric only range of plug-in hybrids (depending on individual travel patterns), meaning many drivers can cover their daily kilometres without using a drop of petrol. When the battery depletes, the petrol engine takes over seamlessly, reducing range-related concerns for drivers who regularly travel beyond electric-only range.
The Benefits of a PHEV
Easy to Charge
Charging a plug-in hybrid car is straightforward. At home, a standard 240V power point or a dedicated home wall charger can fully replenish the battery overnight. At work or in public, an increasing number of AC and DC fast chargers are available across Australia. The Škoda Kodiaq Plug-in Hybrid and Superb Plug-in Hybrid both support 11 kW AC charging and 50 kW DC fast charging, the latter capable of charging the 25.7 kWh battery from 10 to 80 percent in just 25 minutes1.
Regenerative Braking
Every time you brake or lift off the throttle in a PHEV, the electric motor switches into generator mode and recovers kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost as heat. This recovered energy is fed back into the battery, extending your electric range with every journey. Over time, especially in urban stop-start driving, regenerative braking makes a meaningful difference to real-world efficiency.
Potential Environmental Benefits
PHEVs produce zero tailpipe emissions when operating on electric power, which is particularly beneficial in urban environments where air quality matters most. When regularly charged and used primarily in electric mode, PHEVs can significantly lower CO₂ emissions than conventional petrol vehicles. For drivers who consistently charge at home or at work, the potential environmental benefits are substantial.
Money Savings Over Time
Electricity is considerably cheaper per kilometre than petrol in Australia. Drivers who cover most of their daily distance on electric power can see fuel savings of 50–90%2 compared to a conventional petrol car, depending on how often they charge and how they drive. The Škoda Kodiaq Plug-in Hybrid, for instance, carries a combined fuel consumption claim of just 1.9 L/100 km3, a figure that reflects the exceptional efficiency possible when the battery is kept charged.
Difference Between mHEV and PHEV
Both mild hybrids (mHEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) electrify the drivetrain, but they represent very different degrees of electrification with different costs, capabilities, and lifestyle implications.
An mHEV uses a 48-volt electric motor and a small lithium-ion battery to seamlessly assist the petrol engine, recovering energy during braking and reducing fuel consumption by around 10–20%2. The system works entirely in the background, requires no external charging, and suits drivers who want real efficiency gain with zero change to their routine.
A PHEV, by contrast, carries a much larger high-voltage battery and a more powerful electric motor capable of independently driving the car for up to 110 km on a single charge3. This greater capability is reflected in the purchase price, backed by the sophistication of a larger battery pack and a more advanced powertrain. For drivers who drive relatively short distances and can charge regularly, the potential fuel savings when compared with the electricity costs can make a PHEV a compelling long-term investment. It is worth weighting the fuel savings when determining which technology best suits your situation, since the higher upfront investment pays off in the long term. But if you prefer no change to your routine and a lower upfront cost, an mHEV may be the better choice.
Hybrid SUV
Plug-in hybrid SUVs combine electric driving with the flexibility of a petrol engine, making them ideal for families and longer trips. They can travel meaningful distances on electric power alone—perfect for daily commuting—while retaining the space, ride height, and versatility SUVs are known for.
Škoda Kodiaq Select PHEV
The Škoda Kodiaq Select Plug-in Hybrid has arrived with impressive credentials. Combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an 85 kW electric motor and a 25.7 kWh lithium-ion battery, the system produces a combined output of 150 kW and 350 Nm, with a claimed 0–100 km/h time of 8.4 seconds4. Most significantly, it offers an electric-only range of up to 110km3 on the WLTP cycle, enough to cover most Australians’ daily commutes without using any petrol.
Priced from $63,490 before on-road costs, the Kodiaq Select PHEV comes generously equipped with a 13-inch infotainment system, tri-zone climate control, heated front seats, keyless entry, and a power tailgate. Purchase the optional Signature Package, adds surround-view cameras6, massaging front seats, and a head-up display. With a five-star ANCAP safety rating and Škoda’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty7, it’s a plug-in hybrid SUV that makes a compelling case.
Hybrid Wagon
Plug-in hybrid wagons offer an efficient alternative for drivers who want practicality without the bulk of an SUV. Delivering electric-only driving for shorter trips and a petrol engine for longer journeys, they provide excellent fuel savings alongside generous boot space, lower ride height, and a more car-like driving experience.
Škoda Superb Wagon Select PHEV
The Škoda Superb Wagon Select Plug-in Hybrid is Australia’s most affordable PHEV wagon, priced from $66,990 driveaway5. It shares the same proven PHEV powertrain as the Kodiaq, a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine paired with an 85 kW electric motor and 25.7 kWh battery, producing 150 kW and 350 Nm of torque and delivers an electric-only range of 125 km3 on the WLTP cycle. The 25-minute 10–80 percent DC fast charge1 capability makes topping up during the day entirely practical.
Inside, the Superb Wagon’s famously spacious cabin remains intact, with a 13-inch touchscreen, 10-inch digital instrument cluster, tri-zone climate control, heated front seats, wireless phone charging, and a power tailgate all standard. The Superb Wagon PHEV is especially well suited to fleet and business buyers who require an executive-grade vehicle with meaningful environmental credentials and the running-cost benefits of frequent electric driving.
Electric Car Technology
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
For drivers ready to take the next step beyond a plug-in hybrid, Škoda’s growing battery electric vehicle range offers zero-tailpipe-emission driving with no petrol engine at all. The Škoda Elroq and Enyaq deliver competitive range, fast-charging capability, and all the space and technology the brand is known for. If you’re weighing up whether a full EV or a PHEV better suits your lifestyle, the decision often comes down to access to home charging and the nature of your typical journeys.
Mild Hybrid Vehicles (mHEVs)
If you want improved fuel efficiency without any change to your refuelling habits, Škoda’s mild hybrid (mHEV) range offers a compelling entry point into electrified driving. The Škoda Kodiaq Select Hybrid and Octavia Select Hybrid both use a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, delivering meaningful fuel savings over their petrol-only predecessors — all without a plug in sight.
Plug-in Hybrid FAQs
How can I charge my plug-in hybrid vehicle?
A PHEV can be charged in several ways. At home, the simplest option is a standard 240V power point, which will fully charge the Škoda Kodiaq or Superb PHEV battery overnight. For faster home charging, a dedicated wall charger installed by a qualified electrician can reduce charge time to around two and a half hours. While out and about, AC public chargers are available at shopping centres, workplaces, and council car parks across Australia, while DC fast chargers can bring the battery from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 25 minutes1.
What impacts the driving range of a PHEV?
Several factors influence how far a PHEV travels on electric power alone. Speed is the most significant, electric range is highest at lower speeds, such as urban commuting, and reduces on faster highway driving. Cold weather temporarily reduces battery efficiency, as does heavy use of climate control or accessories that draw from the battery. Driving style also plays a role: smooth, progressive acceleration and anticipating stops to maximise regenerative braking will extend your electric range. The Škoda Kodiaq and Superb Wagon Plug-in hybrids both offer selectable regeneration levels and driving modes, giving you control over how the car manages its energy on any given journey.