PHEVs should be a thing. And related news largely missed (because it’s nerdy and policy-heavy), but CARB updated its rules back in August 2022 to incentivize more PHEVs, starting with model year 2026, as long as they are strong PHEVs.

You gotta hand it to Hyundai/Kia - they are planning their work and working their plan. In other words, they share their strategy for cleaner vehicles (BEVs, plug-in hybrids, hybrids, etc.), and then are actually designing awesome ones and building them/making them available at scale.

So much PHEV. That sweet instant torque would be awesome off-road and a 40 mile range would cover most days’ driving.

This. Also better side visibility in a two door with the B pillar further back.

This. Well-said.

This.

Hello Toyota.

Dad wearing glasses hear. Too much reflection and reflections of reflections.

We were going to get one of these for work to demo. Work is in Palo Alto and a number of us live in San Francisco or the East Bay. Then Shell closed a bunch of its hydrogen fueling stations, including the new one on Mission in San Francisco.

This is screaming for a plug-in hybrid option, like Jeep is going to offer on the big Wagoneer. Big miss.

What I care about is outward visibility. This looks to have it in spades.

Right? Finally, a practical crossover.

1. How does this compare to a Toyota Highlander on the inside?

Yeah, it’s hard to take the safety regs completely seriously with the 100% focus on internal occupant protection. Who cares about anyone outside the cabin.

When is the PHEV version coming? Jeep is doing a PHEV version of the Gladiator.

Bring on the boxy plug-in SUVs. Check out that big greenhouse and what looks to be stellar outward visibility for the modern era.

Will there be a PHEV version?

Anyone know how this might compare to the upcoming Jeep Recon BEV? 

Yeah, that made me think, “Oh, Rivian is going to make an R/C car.” That makes sense. The link to Twitter had an update in the comments: 115.6 inches.

The ghost of the Willys FC-150 and FC-170 has entered the chat.