√Subaru to stop development of plug-in hybrid models

Plug-in hybrid power isn’t expected to be part of Subaru’s future, with the company instead focusing on hybrid and electric cars instead.

Japanese car-maker Subaru will shift its focus to electric and traditional hybrid vehicles, with plug-in hybrids no longer part of the company’s future plans, according to a new overseas report.

While some in the car industry see plug-in hybrids as a stepping stone between petrol engines and electric cars – typically offering between 50 to 80km of electric driving before the petrol engine kicks in – news outlet Nikkei reports Subaru has now halted development of plug-in hybrid engines in an effort to reduce costs.

The report claims the Japanese car-maker will instead focus on pure-electric propulsion, as well as its traditional hybrid cars – which, unlike plug-in hybrid vehicles, use a small electric motor to assist with acceleration to improve emissions and fuel economy, like a strong tailwind.

The news doesn’t affect Australia directly, with the company only selling plug-in hybrid versions of the outgoing XV in North America, where is is badged as the Crosstrek – though the Crosstrek name will adopted for the new-generation model in Australia, which replaces the XV.

Buyers in Australia will soon have the opportunity to purchase Subaru’s first foray into battery-powered vehicles, with the Solterra – an electric SUV jointly developed with Toyota – which is also planned to arrive locally in 2023.

The decision to stop development of plug-in hybrids means more money and resources could be used to improve the Subaru’s hybrid models, which have been criticised as not delivering the same fuel savings as their counterparts from other brands.

In June 2022, Subaru Australia boss Blair Read told Drive the company was already working on better and more efficient hybrid technology.

“Hybrid for us … was an introductory step to the technology. We’ve had, I would say, reasonable success,” Mr Read said at the time.

MORE: Subaru says better hybrid tech is coming

“We’ve seen some good uptake from existing customers moving over (to hybrid models) and it’s been a first transition into hybrid for them.

“Would we love to see that technology become more fuel-efficient and provide better performance and efficiency to customers? Absolutely. That is something that is in the pipeline and something that we’re working towards,” he said.

Mr Read confirmed Subaru was investing in hybrid and electric-car development, with advancements in those areas to be introduced in the coming years.

The post Subaru to stop development of plug-in hybrid models – report appeared first on Drive.