Jakarta – The growing number of electrified vehicles is giving drivers more choices, but each powertrain comes with its own considerations. The LEPAS L8 PHEV takes a middle-ground approach by combining electric driving capability for daily trips with a gasoline engine for longer journeys, offering a claimed combined range of more than 1,300 km.
Introduced in Indonesia at Rp589 million, the LEPAS L8 PHEV is aimed at urban drivers whose daily routines can vary considerably. A typical weekday may involve commuting across the city, while weekends or holidays can require significantly longer distances.
That flexibility is one of the key characteristics of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Instead of relying exclusively on battery power, a PHEV can use its electric system for shorter journeys while retaining a gasoline engine for situations where longer range is required.
Up to 100 Km of Electric Driving
For everyday urban mobility, the LEPAS L8 PHEV can travel up to 100 km using electric power. This gives drivers the option of completing many routine journeys without relying on the gasoline engine throughout the trip.
The electric driving capability can be particularly relevant for users whose daily activities involve commuting, school runs, shopping, or other trips within the city. Electric propulsion also provides the smoother and quieter driving characteristics generally associated with battery-powered vehicles.
When the journey extends beyond the practical use of electric driving, the plug-in hybrid system provides another option. The gasoline engine can work alongside the electric powertrain, allowing the vehicle to continue traveling without requiring the driver to plan every trip around charging infrastructure.
LEPAS claims the L8 PHEV can deliver a combined range of more than 1,300 km. That figure is intended to give the SUV greater flexibility for intercity journeys and longer road trips.
A Different Approach to Long-Distance Travel
One of the challenges facing some EV users is the need to account for charging stops during longer journeys. While charging infrastructure continues to expand, travel patterns can still vary significantly depending on destination, route and available charging facilities.
A PHEV offers a different solution by combining two power sources in one vehicle. The LEPAS L8 can use electricity when it makes sense for the journey while retaining gasoline-powered capability when traveling farther from charging points.
This approach could make the vehicle particularly relevant to buyers who want to experience electric driving without committing fully to a battery-electric vehicle.
The L8 is built on LEPAS’ LEX platform, which has also been optimized for noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). The company says the suspension and handling setup are designed to provide a stable and comfortable driving experience across different road conditions.
Comfort Goes Beyond the Powertrain
The L8 PHEV is not positioned solely around its electrified powertrain. LEPAS has also equipped the SUV with several features designed to make the cabin more comfortable during both short and long journeys.
Among the available features is a massage seat, which can provide additional support during extended drives. The cabin also features 256-color ambient lighting and an air-conditioning fragrance system, allowing occupants to personalize the interior atmosphere.
Storage is another part of the vehicle’s practical approach. LEPAS says the L8 features 47 storage compartments designed to accommodate personal belongings and everyday items.
The cabin is also equipped with eight Sony speakers, a voice assistant and a 50W wireless charging system. These features are intended to cover some of the entertainment and connectivity requirements of modern vehicle users.
More than 99 percent UV protection is also claimed for the vehicle, helping reduce ultraviolet exposure entering the cabin.
Driver Assistance Technology
The LEPAS L8 PHEV also uses a collection of driver assistance and parking technologies. The vehicle is equipped with 16 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, or ADAS, designed to monitor the surroundings and provide warnings or assistance in specific driving situations.
The SUV also comes with eight airbags as part of its safety equipment.
For low-speed maneuvering, a 540-degree camera system provides a wider view around the vehicle. This can be useful when navigating narrow parking areas or other confined spaces.
Automatic Parking Assist is available to help with parking maneuvers, while Remote Parking Assist provides an additional option for moving the vehicle under certain conditions.
Rather than being features that directly affect the vehicle’s powertrain, these technologies focus on reducing some of the smaller challenges drivers encounter during daily use.
V2L Adds Another Layer of Flexibility
The L8 PHEV also brings a feature that extends its usefulness beyond transportation. Its Vehicle-to-Load system can provide up to 6.6 kW of power for external electrical equipment.
V2L allows energy stored within the vehicle to be used to power compatible devices. For users who spend time outdoors, the feature could be useful for activities such as family trips, picnics or other situations where access to conventional electrical outlets may be limited.
The vehicle also has a claimed wading depth of up to 600 mm. However, the capability does not eliminate the need for drivers to assess road conditions carefully before entering flooded or waterlogged areas.
LEPAS L8 PHEV Price and Ownership Support
In Indonesia, the LEPAS L8 PHEV is priced at Rp589 million. The company is also offering a range of after-sales programs under its LEPAS CARE package.
The package includes a six-year or 150,000-km vehicle warranty, while the battery, electric motor and controller are covered for eight years or 160,000 km. The engine warranty is stated to extend to 10 years or 1 million km.
Customers also receive free scheduled service for four years or 60,000 km, subject to the applicable terms and conditions. Additional support includes three years of roadside assistance and pickup-and-delivery service for two years in selected areas.
With its combination of a claimed 100-km electric driving capability, more than 1,300-km combined range, driver assistance technology and V2L functionality, the LEPAS L8 PHEV takes a flexible approach to electrified mobility.
Rather than requiring drivers to choose exclusively between an EV and a gasoline-powered vehicle, the PHEV configuration attempts to cover both daily urban driving and longer-distance travel in a single package. For buyers in Indonesia who want electric driving capability but still regularly travel beyond the city, that flexibility could be one of the L8 PHEV’s most important selling points.