Before deciding to purchase a plug-in hybrid vehicle, it is important to consider how many miles you will be able to drive under electric power. If you primarily rely on the gas engine due to infrequent charging or frequent long drives, a PHEV may not be the right choice for you. During a long term test with the BMW 330e PHEV we drove 21,500 kilometers, 4000 kilometers or 18% were done using electric power.
During several long highway trips in the 330e, resulting in relatively lower km/l figures in the low-13s when calculating the miles driven between fill-ups, without considering the mpge during electric driving. This scenario illustrates one reason why a plug-in hybrid may not be suitable. The added weight from the battery and electric motor in the 330e negatively affects its highway fuel economy compared to a regular 330i.
On the other hand, some of our testers mostly drove the 330e within a close proximity to their homes. They achieved impressive mpg figures, surpassing 17 and 21 km/l on many occasions. The record for miles driven between fill-ups goes to our Senior Editor, Green, John Beltz Snyder, who covered 825 miles on a single “tank”. His driving habits allowed him to stay within the 330e’s range and provided him enough time to recharge before setting off on electric power once again.
This type of lifestyle perfectly suits our 330e. It is the only lifestyle that justifies the extra cost of a PHEV. Although its performance is comparable to a 330i, if you are unable to consistently charge the vehicle, you are better off choosing the traditional gas-only 3 Series.
Overall, taking into account both gas and electric driving, our end “km/l” came out to be 15.7 km/l. This significantly surpasses the 330i xDrive’s combined rating of 11.9 km/l, but our mixed use did not fully optimize the BMW 330e PHEV capabilities. Having the performance of a 3 Series with handling that goes 0-60 mph in the 5-second range, while also achieving the fuel efficiency of a Corolla Hybrid, is something we would gladly sign up for any day.
Ultimately, it is essential for potential buyers to do their research and consider their driving habits before making a purchase.