Polestar Executive Slams Plug-in Hybrids as Outdated

Scott Maynard, Managing Director of Polestar Australia, told media in an interview that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)—which combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor—suffer from multiple drawbacks. He noted that many PHEV owners rarely charge their vehicles, rendering the battery systems ineffective. Moreover, when operating solely on the internal combustion engine, PHEVs are heavier and less efficient than comparable conventional gasoline-powered cars due to the added weight of the battery pack, and they also face packaging constraints. Maynard believes that as battery-electric vehicle (BEV) technology advances and range anxiety diminishes, PHEVs are “rapidly becoming irrelevant.” Although Polestar’s first standalone production model, the Polestar 1, was a plug-in hybrid, production ended in 2021, after which the brand shifted entirely to a pure-electric strategy. Notably, several brands under Geely Holding Group—the parent company of Polestar—including Volvo, Lotus, and Lynk & Co, continue to sell PHEV models. Geely has also introduced electric vehicles equipped with range-extending internal combustion engines. Globally, charging infrastructure remains unevenly developed, and in certain markets, PHEVs still offer practical value. For instance, some newer PHEVs can achieve over 180 kilometers of all-electric range under specific testing standards, while diesel-powered PHEVs suit long-distance highway driving while still meeting urban zero-emission requirements. Until BEVs achieve full market penetration, PHEVs and range-extended EVs will continue to serve as transitional solutions.