Does this really happen with prius PHEV owners ??

They could've paid the incentives and rebates as payment coupons (codes/cards etc) that only worked on electric bills and E85 pumps.

Sure, that would've come with some baggage, but it could've worked.

 

An incentive system that works is possible. It just takes more work to devise. The big hurdle is separate from the cars though; having the alternative fuel available to use. The closest E85 station when I had the flexfuel Ranger was in the center of Philly.

 

That was the main reason why i got my PHEV. Luckily my charging situation happened to work out, but it was not certain at the time of purchase. I bought my brand new 2020 Prius Prime for under 27K out the door before any tax incentives. After incentives, a regular prius would have cost more and I wouldn't have access to the HOV lane. I live in an apartment with a detached one car garage. I was also thinking about a 2020 ioniq EV, but the dealer, Hyundai corporate and my apartment complex couldn't answer any of my questions about charging. The apartment complex said charging a vehicle in my garage overnight would trip the circuit. Turns out that was completely wrong. However, if they were right, I could have just ended up driving my PHEV like a regular HEV.

I agree. Many PHEV purchasers bought them for HOV access and price incentives. Now that those incentives are gone, I think most people buying them now will be plugging them in.

The ironic thing is that the Prius Prime completely changed my driving habits. I originally got it to be able to get to work faster, but then I realized I could do my 35 mile commute without any gas if there was moderate traffic. Eventually, I stopped using the HOV lane entirely, except for special situations.