Talking Cars (mp3)

We purchased over a dozen of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) for our auto test program at consumer reports, to study deeper and reveal many nuances of the most misunderstood vehicle. This week we share our initial impressions of some of our first interactions with plug-in hybrids and what we have discovered so far. Jake Fisher drafts a complex spreadsheet to help one of our audience members decide between a hybrid and a PHEV. We also answer if there is any correlation between the hybrid battery and the 12-volt battery in hybrid vehicles.   CR's PHEV cost calculator: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1AHW1tUQIXa5NMWAKLHxKh1Xoro6tkOHpyV6cDbAu6U8/edit?usp=sharing   More info on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles here: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/hybrids-evs/is-a-plug-in-hybrid-vehicle-right-for-you-a9339147016/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT Ratings and test results on every car CR purchases and tests: https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/?EXTKEY=YSOCIAL_YT     SHOW NOTES ---------------------------------