Why aren’t more people buying plug-in hybrids that save time, money?

The plug-in hybrid, or PHEV, version of the Ford Escape compact SUV slipped into dealerships recently, generating — as always seems to be the case — less attention and acclaim than this exceptionally useful technology deserves.

Perhaps PHEVs are inherently confusing, but I suspect that automakers — and writers like me — have also explained them inadequately and praised them insufficiently.

Add to that the fact that full-electric vehicles — GMC Hummer EV, Ford F-150 Lightning, Rivian R1T, etc. — have been in the spotlight this year, and it’s easy to overlook PHEVs, which are widely seen as an intermediate step between gasoline engines and battery-only EVs.

I just drove a 2021 Escape PHEV and loved it, using just under 2 gallons of gasoline in a 149-mile week of mainly local driving and two 40-mile-plus runs to appointments.

That’s about 75 mpg, but the bigger takeaway is that I burned no gasoline at all for short to medium jaunts and parts of the longer drives, thanks to the Escape PHEV’s EPA estimate of 37 miles on a fully charged battery. Real-world range will vary depending on your driving style, time spent on the highway, weather and other factors, but 37 miles a day covers most or all regular driving for a lot of people. More if you add the growing number who charge at work as well as home. Much of the time, many PHEV owners live nearly free of tailpipe emissions.

Another benefit: I recharged it from a standard 120v household plug — no need for a professionally installed 240v charger — and spent a moment worried about running out of fuel.

Escape PHEV prices start at $34,755, according to Edmunds.com. The vehicle is eligible for federal and state tax credits that can take thousands off the price. I tested a loaded Titanium model that cost $38,855. Not cheap, but competitive with similarly equipped compact SUVs that rely solely on either gasoline or electricity.

EVs are almost certainly the future, but a PHEV can be a pretty sweet ride here and now.

MARK PHELAN Charging an Escape PHEV with 120v household current.