IMPORTANT

What’s the Difference Between a Hybrid, a Plug-In Hybrid and an EV?

Date: October 17, 2024
Untitled design - 1

We live in complicated automotive times, and sometimes automakers are not helping us. The past 25 years have seen the introduction of new technologies designed to increase automotive efficiency and reduce the use of fossil fuels. The three main iterations of those technologies are still with us. But sorting out what they are and what they do for your wallet or the environment is a bit more complicated than just the technology.

 

Here’s a brief overview of each:

 

Hybrid (HEV)

 

The term hybrid originated when Toyota Prius and Honda Insight entered the U.S. market at the start of the new millennium.  The technical approaches were different, but both used electric motors to augment a gas-powered engine. The result is a gasoline-electric hybrid that can double the efficiency of a gas-only vehicle for a minimal premium (a few thousand dollars). Hybrids also introduced regenerative braking, where the kinetic energy from braking is converted into additional electricity that's stored in the car’s battery. The Prius, which is still on the market, enjoyed a string of years as one of the most popular vehicles available.

 

Not all hybrid models turn in the kind of stellar efficiency of the Prius. Some use the electric motor more to boost power than increase efficiency.

 

Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

 

At the most basic level, a plug-in hybrid is a hybrid car that you can plug in (duh!). The key difference is that you can add electricity to the battery. That increases the number of miles that can be run on electricity alone. That number can range from the teens to more than 50. Typically, a PHEV has a larger battery and electric motors (compared to a hybrid), along with or as an alternative to the car’s gasoline or diesel engine. Of course, if you don’t plug in your PHEV, it defaults to an ordinary hybrid.

 

The PHEV world has many variations as well, with some providing minimal efficiency gains. Consumer benefits include rebates, tax credits and savings from a power source that's usually cheaper than gasoline. In California, there's the chance of getting an HOV lane sticker than allows you to drive solo in carpool lanes. 

 

Battery-electric Vehicle (EV)

 

An EV is pretty straight-forward. It only has electric motors, so it needs to be plugged in before it’s able to go anywhere. Typically, EV owners charge at home. Some charge or add charge at work. Others may rely on public charging if they don’t have a charger at home. Most EVs are more efficient than PHEVs or hybrids, but efficiency and range varies from one model to another. Of the three, the EV is the only one that has no tailpipe emissions at any time.

 

What’s coming

 

These definitions and distinctions will come in handy as automakers across the board have said more of all three models — HEVs, PHEVs and EVs — are coming in the near future. The trend has already started as the current market includes about 100 hybrids, 20 plug-in hybrids and more than 65 EVs available.  And this doesn't count all the trim variations and options. The choice is yours.

 

Learn more

 

About the author

Michael Coates is an international recognized expert on automotive environmental issues. He publishes the Clean Fleet Report (https://cleanfleetreport.com/), writes for a variety of publications and also consults in the automotive industry.