How Far Can You Drive Electric on the 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV?
The larger battery uses a new chemistry that switches from pouch to prismatic cells and has a 60 per cent higher power output which increases acceleration, but more importantly increases the electric range to a total of 72 km. Total power from the system is now rated at 297 hp.
What Is the Electric-Only Range of the 2026 Outlander PHEV?
Real-life range figures will vary depending on how quickly you drive and the type of terrain you’re on. It’s also dependent on temperature as range will drop in the colder winter months, and with increased use of the climate control system. This is also true of gasoline vehicles that see range degradation in coldest and hottest parts of the year.
With the Outlander PHEV, however, range anxiety isn’t a concern because there’s still a 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine that picks up where the battery leaves off. Total range when combining the gas engine and battery is rated at 690 km, which means even longer road trips aren’t an issue. NRCan states the combined fuel economy of both gasoline and electric powertrain is 3.2 Le/100 km.
In most use cases the 72 km of electric range is enough to cover the daily commute and errands of most Canadians who average a one-way distance of 15.5 km taking roughly 27 minutes.
Is 72 km Enough for Everyday Driving in Canada?
If you plug in the Outlander PHEV every night, it’s possible, when considering the average Canadian commute, to use little to no fuel over the course of a typical week.
Considering the median commute for a typical Canadian is 15.5 km one way, there’s still 41 km of range left for extra curriculars like:
- grocery shopping
- picking up the kids from school
- going to the gym
- doctor and dentist appointments
- meeting with friends
If something unexpected comes up or you feel like an impromptu weekend getaway, the gasoline engine is always there to serve as a backup when things go beyond the daily routine.
The Outlander PHEV can be easily charged by plugging it in to a common 110 V household outlet which will take about 16.5 hours to fully charge a depleted battery. If a Level 2, 240V charger is installed, charging time drops to just 6.5 hours.
What Happens When Outlander PHEV’s Battery Runs Out?
There’s always a small amount of charge leftover in the battery to run the electric motors, so there’s no power loss either. There’s also a drive setting called “Charge” which uses the gasoline engine to charge the battery pack, which can be done especially quickly on the highway.
Scenario |
Outlander PHEV power source |
Battery fully charged |
Electric motors |
Battery low |
Electric + Gasoline (hybrid) |
Long drives |
Electric + Gasoline (hybrid) |
How the Outlander PHEV Maximizes Your Electric Driving
EV Priority mode
In this mode the Outlander PHEV will prioritize use of battery-only propulsion, provided that it’s charged. The gasoline motor will not engage until the battery runs out.
Regenerative braking
Like most EVs, the Outlander PHEV features regen-braking that essentially reverses the electric motor when braking, which in turn charges the battery.
Paddle shifters
The paddle shifters behind the steering wheel allow you toggle the amount of regenerative braking force in four different levels.
Innovative pedal
This button allows you to switch to one-pedal drive mode, where lifting off the accelerator will immediately begin slowing you down almost to a complete stop.
Each one of these settings allows you to maximize battery range depending on the scenario. EV priority mode is perfect for city driving where electric operation is at its most efficient. Regenerative braking is also helpful in this situation capturing energy every time you tap the brake pedal. The one-pedal drive mode might take some getting used to but is also an effective way to maximize battery range.
Charging the Outlander PHEV: How Quickly Can You Recharge?
Finding a place to plug in can sometimes be a challenge if you don’t have the luxury of an accessible plug point near where you park, which means you cannot take full advantage of the battery pack.
The Outlander PHEV has an advantage here, because it offers three different ways to charge: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 DC fast charging.
Level 3 DC fast charging, which you typically don’t find on a PHEV, can replenish the Outlander PHEV’s battery pack in just 29 minutes at a speed of up to 50 kW.
Charging Type |
Time |
Best for |
Level 1 (120V) |
100% ~16.5 hours |
Overnight charging |
Level 2 (240V) |
100% in 6.5 hours |
Home or public |
Level 3 (DC fast 480V) |
100% in 29 minutes |
Public |
So, How Far Can You Really Drive Electric?
Even when going to the gym before work or doing the groceries after work, the Outlander PHEV’s larger 22.7 kWh battery pack is more that sufficient to complete daily tasks on electric power alone.
Of course, longer drives and road trips are completely possible too as total range climbs to 690 km when factoring in the 2.4 L 4-cylinder gasoline engine.
For those that aren’t ready to commit to a full battery electric vehicle the Outlander PHEV is the next best thing, offering pure electric operation with a gasoline engine backup. It really is the best of both worlds.
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