BMW Plug-in Hybrids.

A plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) combines a petrol engine, an electric engine and a high-voltage battery. This allows a reduction in fuel consumption as well as CO2 emissions. Interaction between the two systems also offers additional performance and acceleration power.

As its name suggests, a plug-in hybrid can be charged from a socket, a wall box or at a public charging station. The maximum efficiency of a plug-in hybrid is achieved with a fully charged battery; which means that a charging facility should be available at home and at the workplace.

The electric range for purely electric driving with a fully charged battery in the case of a BMW 530e, for example, extends up to 37 miles. During recuperation, that means whenever you lift your foot from the accelerator pedal, kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy and fed into the battery – and as a result, you gain further miles for the electric range.

As part of its “Power of Choice” strategy, BMW is offering its customers a large selection of plug-in hybrids as a conscious decision in favour of this particularly efficient drive system.

A plug-in hybrid is ideal for drivers seeking the greatest possible versatility: on the one hand, it provides an electric drive for everyday use, such as the cost-optimised and sustainable commute to the office. Optimum use comes with regularly recurring medium-distance commutes when driving in pure electric mode. On the other hand, the vehicles offer range and flexibility for long distances such as for the weekend excursion with the family.

Among the benefits for the driver of a plug-in hybrid are an almost silent driving experience in purely electric mode and additional acceleration power from the electric engine.

Depending on the individual home electricity tariff, plug-in hybrid models can result in significant savings compared with a classical combustion-engine vehicle. After all, daily distances travelled are frequently less than 30 miles. And there is no need to sacrifice the convenience of the range of a classical combustion-engine model with a plug-in hybrid. If the battery charge or capacity is insufficient, the combustion engine is switched on automatically to meet the need.

What's more, plug-in hybrid models will often have a lower benefit in kind tax rate than an equivalent internal combustion engine model, which can offer significant savings for company car drivers.

As its name suggests, a plug-in hybrid can be charged from a socket, a Wallbox or at a public charging station (charging times vary depending on the charging solution). When you are on the road, you need the charging cable for public charging (mode 3), which is standard equipment in the UK.

The maximum efficiency of a plug-in hybrid is achieved with a fully charged battery; which means that a charging facility should be available at home and at the workplace. Charge your BMW plug-in hybrid as often as possible so that you can always make full use of the additional electric drive.

One important external factor influencing the performance and capacity of a battery is the temperature. As you probably know from your mobile phone battery, the performance is restricted in cold and hot temperatures. This is why it is important, especially in winter, to “precondition” the vehicle during the charging operation – in other words, to heat the battery and interior. Or to cool them down in summer. This not only saves you energy for the journey but means that, with an optimally temperature-conditioned battery, you have an added measure of efficiency from the outset. Optimised operating strategies in your vehicle also reduce the influences of temperature to a large extent. And did you know that the capacity of the battery also yields information on your available range? Apart from temperature, other factors affecting the range are devices, such as the air conditioning, the load carried and your driving style.

If you don’t plan to use your vehicle for a longer period of time, such as during a holiday, there are various ways to positively affect the lifespan of your battery. Whenever possible, maintain a charge of between 30% and 50% and park your vehicle in a cool place or in the shade during the summer months and keep it in a garage in the winter. In addition, the vehicle should not be plugged in for charging if you leave it parked for a long period of time.

In your BMW plug-in hybrid, anticipatory hybrid operation helps you reach your destination efficiently with active destination guidance. So use the active guidance function even if you already know the way. The use of available electrical energy can be distributed intelligently and optimally according to your route, allowing you to drive electrically in town and in the destination area.

In a plug-in hybrid, the familiar BMW driving modes are also extended by the HYBRID ECO PRO driving mode. This optimises the efficiency of drive, comfort, light and air conditioning functions. The Forward View Assistant is a special feature of this model. It shows you situational tips for more efficient driving in the Head-Up Display or the instrument combination in your field of vision - for example, it recommends taking your foot off the accelerator if a speed limit is imminent. Another helpful function is the Driving Style Analysis, which analyses the efficiency of your driving style in the vehicle menu and provides helpful tips for even more efficient driving.

In newer BMW vehicles with hybrid drive (e.g. BMW X5 xDrive45e), adaptive recuperation also supports you when you release the accelerator pedal. With the help of an intelligent and situation-adaptive control system, the vehicle decides independently between coasting or recuperation. Whether a vehicle is in front, speed limits, roundabouts, turns or built-up areas - the system optimally adapts the level of deceleration to the traffic situation. As a result, brake pedal actuation can be reduced and driving comfort increased - and all this in an efficient way.