Analysis by ChargeUK has found that three-quarters of the UK's top-20 selling plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) cannot use rapid chargers with 50kW or more power output. This limitation means drivers cannot quickly recharge mid-journey and may instead fall back on their petrol engines, undermining the vehicles' purported environmental benefits. The finding raises concerns that many PHEVs function as costly petrol cars burdened by a heavy battery rather than genuine progress towards electrification.

Only 26% of vehicles in the top-20 models—including the Ford Kuga, Hyundai Tucson and BMW 3 Series—can access rapid chargers, whilst none can use ultra-rapid chargers (150kW+). This contrasts sharply with pure electric vehicles, where every top-20 model supports rapid charging and 64% support ultra-rapid. PHEV sales have soared 35% year-on-year to 227,000 vehicles, yet government data acknowledges that drivers charge infrequently and real-world emissions substantially exceed official figures. Despite these concerns, the government is expected to weaken EV targets further following industry lobbying, with carmakers simultaneously increasing discounts on hybrids whilst cutting them on pure electric cars.