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EV (Battery Electric Vehicle)
Electric vehicles (EVs), also called battery electric vehicles, operate solely on battery power that’s stored in high-voltage battery packs. EVs need to be recharged using a specialized EV charging station, and feature one or more electric motors instead of a combustion engine. Fully charging an EV engine can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours, depending on the vehicle, the type of charging station, and a variety of other factors.
PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have both an electric motor and internal combustion engine and often feature a larger battery than other hybrids. PHEVs can run on either electricity or fuel to best fit a driver’s needs, and often seamlessly switch between propulsion methods depending on driving conditions. Plug-in hybrids use similar technology to other hybrids, but typically feature a larger battery for prolonged performance and additional capacity.
HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle)
A hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) has both an electric motor and internal combustion engine, but requires fuel to function as the electric motor is not the primary source of its power. HEVs use an electric motor for low-demand driving, and activate the combustion engine as needed for increased power and higher speeds. Hybrid-electric vehicles do not have to be charged, since the internal combustion engine and absorbed energy when braking helps recharge the electrical system’s battery while driving.
What’s the difference between a Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid?
A plug-in and full hybrid differ in the way that they charge and use their available power sources. Both types of hybrid vehicles use both an internal combustion engine and electric motor and can run on either type of power depending on performance demands, but a plug-in hybrid provides the option to recharge the battery while parked. A full hybrid has no ability to be plugged in for recharging, and depends on the vehicle’s internal combustion engine running to recharge the electrical system while driving.
Which Are Better, Hybrid Or Electric Vehicles?
While there are a variety of fully-electric and hybrid car options on the market today, no single type of these vehicles is necessarily ‘better’ — though one type or the other may be a better choice depending on your budget, daily driving distances, and personal preference. An electric vehicle may be a good option for you depending on your area’s charging station accessibility, but a battery charging station for your home can also be used to keep your car fully-charged. A plug-in hybrid may be best if you’re looking for a car that can run on electric power or fuel, and this provides more options if you frequently drive longer distances so you can more simply refuel on the road. Full hybrid vehicles are nearly indistinguishable from traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, but still offer increased efficiency and don’t require any specialized charging equipment to keep them running.
How long does it take to fully charge a PHEV or EV?
A plug-in hybrid vehicle can take anywhere from twenty minutes to six hours to fully charge its electrical system, and electric vehicles can take from twenty minutes up to nearly fifty hours in some cases. How quickly any type of electric or hybrid vehicle charges is dependent on the type of charger used. There are three different varieties of battery chargers for PHEVs and EVs, including 40-volt, 240-volt, and 280-volt chargers. A 40-volt charger will charge more slowly, and can charge a PHEV in five to six hours or an EV in 40 to 50 hours. A 240-volt or 280-volt charger can recharge a PHEV in one to two hours, and can charge an EV in four to ten hours. The quickest charging option is a direct current fast-charging (DCFC) device, although these are specific to EVs since most PHEVs do not have a fast-charging system. A DCFC can charge an EV in 20 minutes to an hour, and is the best option for those that drive electric vehicles and want to minimize downtime.
How far can a Hybrid or an EV drive on a single charge?
A hybrid vehicle can drive anywhere between 15 and 60 miles using only electric power, and its combustion engine can drive an average of 300 miles on a full tank of fuel. With bigger battery packs for longer driving, an electric vehicle can drive between 90 and 400 miles on a single charge. As always, these numbers vary depending on a vehicle’s battery size and fuel tank size, if applicable, as well as how and where the vehicle is driven.
Can Full Hybrids/PHEVs drive on battery power alone?
In short, yes, hybrids and PHEVs can drive on battery power alone — although the distance depends on the car’s battery capacity. A PHEV can travel 15 to 60 miles on a single charge, since it has smaller batteries that need more frequent recharging. A PHEV also uses electric power for shorter distances, meaning that the combustion engine kicks in when the battery is depleted. Other HEVs can run on electric power, but since the combustion engine charges and powers its batteries, hybrid vehicles can get a boost of power when accelerating or can increase fuel economy while idling.