[thinkling]

Like patentatt, I disagree with most of this. Which PHEVs are you looking at?

Some can blend power from electric and gas motors and give you the combined power output for modest durations almost any time--and then will use excess ICE capacity or regenerative breaking to recharge the battery.

Yes, of course you plug in any time you're home. Not an issue if you have off-street parking, any outlet works.

Transmission/clutch lag--which car have you driven? Does not exist at all in mine (GM Volt), have not heard anyone mention it in reviews of RAV4 Prime or other recent PHEVs.

It is in fact the best-case scenario for some driving profiles.

I have many modest-distance trips around town, and ~30 long drives a year, at least 10 of which would require a midway additional hour of charging in a BEV, with half the drive through an area that has no fast chargers and will not get any in the next 3 years.