As plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) continue to grow in popularity, it looks like Lexus Philippines is just about ready to dip its toes in the premium PHEV market. While the brand already has a wide array of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and a battery electric vehicle (BEV) in the form of the RZ, Lexus Philippines has yet to offer a plug-in hybrid.

That's about to change after the Department of Energy (DOE) updated its list of recognized PHEVs and added the Lexus RX 450+ 2.5 Premier PHEV CVT. Based on the updated listing, the RX 450+ has an electric output of 134 kW (or 182 PS) and a maximum engine output of 136 kW (or 185 PS). It also has a high-voltage battery with a capacity of 18.1 kWh.

While official specifications have yet to be revealed, the RX 450+ PHEV is already available in other markets and has a combined system output of 308 PS and 270 Nm of torque from a 2.5L four-cylinder engine that's assisted by an electric motor. Power is then sent to an eCVT that can either drive the front wheels or all four via an E-Four AWD system.

On battery power alone, the RX 450+ PHEV can travel up to 69 km without using a drop of fuel. With both the gasoline and plug-in hybrid system working together, however, Lexus says the RX 450+ PHEV has a combined range of up to 885 km.

There's no official word yet from Lexus Philippines regarding the RX 450+ PHEV. But the fact that the DOE has already recognized it means the brand is already busy laying the groundwork. More importantly, this could also mean Toyota Motor Philippines might join the growing PHEV market with their own offerings.

With brands like BMW and Denza already having plenty of PHEV offerings, perhaps it's high time Lexus joined the plug-in hybrid arena. The only question now is whether the RX 450+ will be the start of many PHEVs from Lexus.