As we are moving into an unprecedented era of EV domination, hybrid and PHEV cars seem to be a stepping stone in this direction - utilizing both an internal combustion engine and electrical components, Plug-In Electric Hybrid Vehicles use gasoline and electricity as sources of fuel. Generally, electricity is used until the battery is depleted, after which the gas engine kicks in to power the car and the battery needs to be recharged by plugging the car into a power source. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) also require plug-in charging, but are not considered PHEVs.

Characteristics of Plug-In Hybrid Cars

These are the qualities that are most commonly associated with plug-in hybrid cars:

What to Consider Before Buying a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle

Here are some of the best plug-in hybrid electric vehicle qualities, and their drawbacks:

Pros

• Rechargeable, so available power is less inconsistent
• Electric-only range useful for those who do short trips daily
• Less money spent at the pumps
• More environmentally friendly
• Often higher performance figures than gas-only cars

Cons

• Pricing is much higher than standard models
• Once the battery charge runs out, you get gas-only mileage
• Heavier thanks to all the extra tech on board
• Charging can take time
• List of plug-in hybrid cars is not very extensive - yet

FAQs

What is a plug-in hybrid vehicle?

A PHEV uses both a combustion engine and electric components to power a vehicle. Usually, the two work separately, with the electric motors and battery providing a certain level of electric-only range depending on the size of the battery pack before the engine kicks in and takes over. This gives them better overall fuel efficiency, especially with multiple short trips between charging cycles.

What is the difference between HEV and PHEV?

A regular HEV or MHEV also uses battery packs and motors like a PHEV, but it can only recharge spent electrical energy through the regenerative braking function. This means you will seldom have a lot of charge stored at any given time, and the impact on fuel economy is minimal. A PHEV also has regenerative braking, but it also lets you manually recharge the battery using a power outlet. This means you can travel a lot further on electrical energy alone, and refill it between trips for significantly better fuel economy.

What are the disadvantages of a PHEV?

Despite their many benefits, plug-in hybrids have a few drawbacks, too. These include the fact that they are often quite a bit more expensive than a gasoline or even standard hybrid car. Their touted fuel economy also means very little over long journeys, since their electric-only range is generally between 15 and 40 miles only.

Do plug-in hybrids charge while driving?

Most people will charge their PHEV at home before each trip, to ensure they get the most out of the electric range. But, as with regular hybrids and cars with mild-hybrid technology (MHEV), they will also slowly build up charge during driving through the regenerative braking system. The impact this has on overall fuel economy is small, however.

Which PHEV has the longest range?

You can normally expect an all-electric range of between 30 and 40 miles from the better-rated PHEVs on the market. However, some go a lot further than this, with the Polestar 1 boasting an impressive 93-mile all-electric range. The closest runner-up is the Mercedes-Benz GLE at 66 miles.