‘The Worst Of Both Worlds’

• Polestar argues plug-in hybrids add complexity without bringing zero emissions.
• The Geely-owned brand claims people rarely charge them.
• Polestar thinks PHEVs are ‘fast becoming irrelevant.’

People are spoiled for choice when shopping for a new car. Gasoline, diesel, mild hybrid, full hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery EVs, and even fuel-cell hydrogen vehicles all make up today’s vastly diverse automotive universe. However, one automaker has put all its eggs in the electric basket and no longer considers plug-in hybrids a good choice.

Polestar Australia’s managing director candidly shared his take on PHEVs in an interview with local media. The executive from a company controlled by automotive giant Geely isn’t a fan of cars that combine a combustion engine with an electric motor. Speaking with Drive magazine, Scott Maynard delivered his blunt assessment:

‘I think [plug-in hybrid vehicles] are the worst of both worlds. So, you’ve got all the complexity of an electric drivetrain, coupled with all of the weight and complexity of a petrol drivetrain. You don’t have zero emission, you have an increase in maintenance requirements, because you’ve got all of those varying systems that need to be maintained independently.’

Maynard’s criticism goes beyond the complications stemming from the extra hardware. The Polestar official argues that many PHEV owners rarely charge their cars, failing to maximize the benefits of carrying a battery pack. An irrefutable point I’d add is that a plug-in hybrid running exclusively on its combustion engine will be less efficient than an equivalent ICE-only vehicle due to the added weight of the battery. Packaging constraints are also unavoidable.

We can all agree that Polestar’s Australian boss raises several valid concerns about the downsides of PHEVs. He believes they’re “fast becoming irrelevant” as advances in EV technology steadily ease range anxiety.

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However, there’s an element of irony in that stance. The company’s first production model after becoming a standalone brand was the Polestar 1, a plug-in hybrid. Production of the China-built PHEV ended in 2021, after which Polestar effectively transitioned into an EV-only automaker.

Additionally, Polestar is part of the Geely Group alongside Volvo and Lotus, both of which continue to sell PHEVs. The lesser-known Lynk & Co brand also offers plug-in hybrids, while the Chinese auto giant has EVs with range-extender combustion engines.

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Motor1’s Take:  Although Maynard’s reasoning has merit, the reality in 2026 is that EVs are still not a one-size-fits-all solution. Charging infrastructure remains uneven in many parts of the world, where plug-in hybrids can still make a strong case. PHEVs have also improved significantly, with models like Volvo’s XC70 offering a substantial electric range of 112 miles (180 kilometers), albeit under China’s more lenient CLTC standard.

Even diesel plug-in hybrids, such as those sold by Mercedes, can make sense for drivers who spend long stretches on the highway but want the option of electric driving in urban areas. Owning an EV as a second car isn’t practical for everyone. Beyond higher annual costs for taxes and insurance, there’s also the need for additional parking space.

EVs will continue to improve, and charging networks will expand, gradually pushing the combustion engine toward retirement. In the meantime, PHEVs still have a role to play. The rise of range-extender electric vehicles (REEVs) underscores the industry’s continued reliance on combustion engines, even as electrification accelerates.

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