What is a plug-in hybrid? How a rechargeable hybrid differs from a hybrid and an electric car
A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is a car with a battery that can be charged from a socket and an electric motor, which carries on with a petrol engine when the battery runs out. In Türkiye, the ÖTV (special consumption tax) advantage is only granted to PHEVs up to 1600 cm³ with at least 70 km of electric range and CO2 below 25 g/km; there is no MTV (motor vehicle tax) discount. In January–October 2026, sales fell by 90% to 0.5% of the market.
By: Şarj Rehberim · Updated: · 5 min read
Short answer
A plug-in hybrid (PHEV, rechargeable hybrid) is a car with a battery of around 10–25 kWh that is charged from a socket or an AC charging station, an electric motor and a petrol engine. It covers short trips on electricity alone; when the battery runs out, or when speed and power are needed, the petrol engine comes in.
It differs from a regular hybrid (HEV) in that it can be charged from a socket and drives further on electricity; it differs from a fully electric car (BEV) in having a petrol engine and a fuel tank. That is why there is no range anxiety, but if it is not charged regularly it uses fuel like a heavy petrol car.
Hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric: the differences
| Hybrid (HEV) | Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | Electric (BEV) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charging from a socket | No | Yes (mostly AC only) | Yes (AC and DC) |
| Battery | 1–2 kWh | Usually 10–25 kWh | 40–120 kWh |
| Electric-only range | A few km | Usually 50–100 km | 300–800 km |
| Petrol engine | Yes | Yes | No |
| MTV | Full | Full | 25% of the equivalent |
Plug-in hybrid ÖTV in Türkiye
The ÖTV list has a separate group for plug-in hybrids, but only for those that meet both of the following conditions: weighted combined CO2 emissions below 25 g/km and an equivalent electric range of at least 70 km. PHEVs that do not meet these conditions, or whose engine exceeds 1800 cm³, are subject to the petrol car rates according to engine size.
| Engine size | ÖTV base | ÖTV (PHEVs meeting the conditions) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1600 cm³ | Up to 1,350,000 TL | 45% |
| Up to 1600 cm³ | Above 1,350,000 TL | 75% |
| 1601–1800 cm³ | Up to 1,350,000 TL | 85% |
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): Presidential Decree 10115 (Official Gazette 24.07.2025) · Revenue Administration: List (II), 31.07.2026
MTV: does a plug-in hybrid get a discount?
No. The 25% MTV rule in Law No. 197 applies only to vehicles that have nothing but an electric motor. Plug-in hybrids and regular hybrids pay full MTV like a petrol car, based on engine displacement, vehicle value and age.
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): MTV Law No. 197, art. 5 (Revenue Administration)
How much fuel does a plug-in hybrid really use?
That depends on how much the driver charges. According to data the European Commission compiled from the on-board fuel consumption meters of cars registered in 2021, plug-in hybrids actually used an average of 5.94 l/100 km; the official WLTP figure was 1.69 l/100 km, so about 3.5 times as much.
According to the ICCT's September 2026 report, the real electric driving share of about 920,000 PHEVs registered in 2021–2023 fell from 26% to 17%; type approval assumes this share is 79–82%. In short, a PHEV that is not charged regularly loses most of its fuel advantage.
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): European Commission: real-world CO2 emissions report (2024) · ICCT: PHEV report, September 2026
Plug-in hybrid sales in Türkiye
According to ODMD (Automotive Distributors' and Mobility Association), 3,791 plug-in hybrids were sold in Türkiye in January–October 2026; that is 0.5% of the market and a fall of 89.8% compared with the same period last year. In the same period, fully electric cars had a 19.5% share, and regular and mild hybrids a combined share of about 33%.
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): ODMD press release, 3 November 2026
Who is a plug-in hybrid suitable for?
- Those who can charge every day at home or at work and drive less than 50 km a day: daily use is almost entirely electric.
- Those who often take long trips in regions where charging infrastructure is sparse: the petrol engine removes range anxiety.
- It is not suitable for those who will not be able to charge: because of the heavy battery and two motors, it can use more fuel than a regular hybrid.
- Most plug-in hybrids charge only on AC; on a model without a DC socket, you cannot use the DC connector of a fast charging station.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a plug-in hybrid?
- It is a car with a battery that can be charged from a socket and an electric motor, which carries on with a petrol engine when the battery runs out. It covers short trips on electricity alone.
- What is the difference between a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid?
- A regular hybrid cannot be charged from a socket; it charges its battery while driving and can go only a few km on electricity. A plug-in hybrid is charged from a socket and usually goes 50–100 km on electricity alone.
- How much ÖTV does a plug-in hybrid pay?
- For a PHEV up to 1600 cm³ with at least 70 km of electric range and CO2 below 25 g/km, 45% if the ÖTV base is up to 1,350,000 TL and 75% if it is above. Those that do not meet the conditions are subject to petrol car rates.
- Does a plug-in hybrid get an MTV discount?
- No; the 25% MTV rule applies only to fully electric cars. A plug-in hybrid pays full MTV based on engine displacement.