Beatrice Lang
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are a type of hybrid electric vehicle that combines the advantages of an electric vehicle with those of a vehicle that uses a combustion engine. PHEVs use batteries to power an electric motor and another fuel, such as gasoline or diesel, to power an internal combustion engine. The large rechargeable battery in a PHEV can be charged using a wall outlet or charging equipment, by the internal combustion engine, or through regenerative braking. PHEVs are a popular choice for those who want to reduce their fuel consumption and take advantage of the electric driving range, without the range anxiety associated with fully electric vehicles.
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What You'll Learn
- PHEV batteries can be charged using a wall outlet or charging equipment
- PHEVs can support longer and more frequent all-electric range driving
- PHEVs are predominantly passenger cars, but there are also plug-in hybrid variants of sports cars, commercial vehicles, and more
- PHEVs can use centralised generators of renewable energy to be largely emission-free
- PHEVs may also produce lower levels of emissions, depending on the electricity source and how often the vehicle is operated in all-electric mode
PHEV batteries can be charged using a wall outlet or charging equipment
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are equipped with a rechargeable battery pack that can be replenished by plugging into an external power source. This can be done using a wall outlet or charging equipment. Recharging with a 120V household outlet can take several hours, while a 240V home or public charger can take as little as 1 to 4 hours. For a quicker charge, a Level 2 home charger that uses a 240-volt outlet is an option, but it requires purchasing a charging station and, in some cases, installing the outlet.
PHEV batteries can also be charged by the internal combustion engine (ICE) or through regenerative braking. The vehicle typically runs on electric power until the battery is nearly depleted, and then automatically switches to the ICE. During urban driving, most of a PHEV's power can come from stored electricity. For example, a PHEV driver might drive to and from work using only electric power, charge the vehicle at night, and be ready for another all-electric commute the next day.
Charging a PHEV daily is the ideal and most efficient way to use one. If charged daily and driven within the electric range, trips to the gas station can be minimised. Consistent charging maximises the electric benefits of the vehicle. For example, if a PHEV is never plugged in to charge, its fuel economy will be similar to that of a similarly-sized hybrid electric vehicle. However, if it is driven within its all-electric range and charged between trips, it may be possible to use only electric power.
PHEVs combine the advantages of an electric vehicle with those of a combustion engine vehicle. They can use power from the grid, reducing operating costs and fuel use compared to conventional vehicles. They may also produce lower emissions, depending on the electricity source and how often the vehicle is operated in all-electric mode.
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PHEVs can support longer and more frequent all-electric range driving
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are equipped with a rechargeable battery pack that can be directly charged via an external electric power source, in addition to charging internally by its on-board internal combustion engine-powered generator. PHEVs can support longer and more frequent all-electric range driving. This is because PHEVs have a larger battery pack that can be recharged externally, providing the added flexibility of reverting to the use of its gasoline/diesel engine, akin to a conventional HEV, if the battery charge is depleted. This feature helps alleviate range anxiety, particularly in areas lacking sufficient charging infrastructure.
PHEVs can be charged using a wall outlet or charging equipment, by the ICE, or through regenerative braking. The vehicle typically runs on electric power until the battery is nearly depleted, and then the car automatically switches over to using the ICE. This means that PHEV owners can run mostly on electric power around town if it is charged regularly and take long road trips without the added dread of range anxiety. Charging daily is the ideal and most efficient way to use a PHEV. If a PHEV is charged daily and driven within the electric range limit, trips to the gas station can be rare.
PHEVs can be particularly useful for urban driving, where most of a PHEV's power can come from stored electricity. For example, a light-duty PHEV driver might drive to and from work on all-electric power, plug the vehicle in to charge at night, and be ready for another all-electric commute the next day. The internal combustion engine powers the vehicle when the battery is mostly depleted, during rapid acceleration, or when intensive heating or air conditioning loads are present. Some heavy-duty PHEVs work the opposite way, with the internal combustion engine used for driving to and from a job site, and electricity used to power the vehicle's auxiliary equipment or control the cab's climate while at the job site.
PHEVs have been available to the public in China and the United States since 2010, with the introduction of the Chevrolet Volt. By the end of 2015, over 517,000 highway-legal plug-in hybrid electric cars had been sold worldwide since December 2008. PHEVs are predominantly passenger cars, but there are also plug-in hybrid variants of sports cars, commercial vehicles, vans, utility trucks, buses, trains, motorcycles, mopeds, military vehicles, and boats.
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PHEVs are predominantly passenger cars, but there are also plug-in hybrid variants of sports cars, commercial vehicles, and more
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are predominantly passenger cars, but they can also be sports cars, commercial vehicles, vans, utility trucks, buses, trains, motorcycles, mopeds, military vehicles, and boats. PHEVs are equipped with a rechargeable battery pack that can be replenished by plugging into an external electric power source or charging internally via their on-board internal combustion engine-powered generator. They combine the advantages of an electric vehicle with those of a combustion engine vehicle, offering a middle ground between regular hybrids and electric vehicles.
PHEVs use batteries to power an electric motor and another fuel, typically gasoline or diesel, to power an internal combustion engine. They can charge their batteries through charging equipment and regenerative braking, where the electric motor acts as a generator, capturing energy that would otherwise be lost during braking. PHEVs can also support longer and more frequent all-electric range driving, with their electric motors offering higher power output, more responsive acceleration, and lower operating costs.
The flexibility of PHEVs is advantageous, allowing them to switch to their gasoline or diesel engine when the battery is depleted or during rapid acceleration. This feature helps alleviate range anxiety, especially in areas with limited charging infrastructure. PHEVs also have environmental benefits, typically emitting 30-60% less greenhouse gas than conventional vehicles, although the exact reduction depends on the electricity source.
PHEVs have been gaining popularity, with mass-produced options available since 2010, such as the Chevrolet Volt and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Various car manufacturers, including Hyundai, Kia, Jeep, Chrysler, Volkswagen, and BMW, have introduced or announced plans for plug-in hybrid models. PHEVs are particularly suitable for daily commuting and delivery vans, where they can be recharged periodically throughout their routes.
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PHEVs can use centralised generators of renewable energy to be largely emission-free
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a type of hybrid electric vehicle with a rechargeable battery pack. This battery can be charged by plugging the vehicle into an external electric power source, or it can be charged using the vehicle's internal combustion engine-powered generator. PHEVs are predominantly passenger cars, but there are also plug-in hybrid variants of sports cars, commercial vehicles, vans, utility trucks, buses, trains, motorcycles, mopeds, military vehicles and boats.
The use of renewable energy sources to power PHEVs can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is because renewable energy sources do not produce the same levels of harmful emissions as fossil fuels. In addition, PHEVs can support longer and more frequent all-electric range driving, further reducing emissions.
However, it is important to note that the emissions reduction benefits of PHEVs depend on the energy mix used to generate the electricity for recharging. In areas where electricity generation is heavily reliant on coal or other fossil fuels, PHEVs may not demonstrate as strong a life cycle emissions benefit. This is because the emissions associated with electricity generation are simply displaced from the vehicle tailpipe to the power station.
To maximise the emissions reduction benefits of PHEVs, it is important to promote the use of renewable energy sources for electricity generation. This can include solar, wind, hydropower, biofuels and other renewable sources. By increasing the deployment of renewables in the power, heat and transport sectors, we can work towards keeping the rise in average global temperatures below 1.5°C and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
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PHEVs may also produce lower levels of emissions, depending on the electricity source and how often the vehicle is operated in all-electric mode
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are equipped with a rechargeable battery pack that can be charged via an external electric power source or through an internal combustion engine-powered generator. PHEVs can be charged using a wall outlet or charging equipment, by the internal combustion engine, or through regenerative braking.
PHEVs may produce lower levels of emissions, depending on the electricity source and how often the vehicle is operated in all-electric mode. The amount of gas emission depends on how electricity is produced. For example, nuclear and hydropower plants are cleaner than coal-fired power plants. PHEVs can also support longer and more frequent all-electric range driving, and their electric motors often have higher power output and torque and are more responsive in acceleration.
The benefits of PHEVs are most apparent in urban driving, where most of the power can come from stored electricity. A PHEV driver might drive to and from work on all-electric power, plug in to charge at night, and be ready for another all-electric commute the next day. The internal combustion engine powers the vehicle when the battery is mostly depleted, during rapid acceleration, or when intensive heating or air conditioning is required.
PHEV batteries can be charged by an outside electric power source, by the internal combustion engine, or through regenerative braking. During braking, the electric motor acts as a generator, using the energy to charge the battery and recapturing energy that would have been lost. Charging daily is the ideal and most efficient way to use a PHEV.
PHEVs can also be useful for long-distance driving, as they can run like regular hybrids if the battery isn't charged. This allows owners to take long road trips without the added worry of range anxiety. However, it is important to note that the large battery pack increases the vehicle's weight, worsening fuel consumption compared to a regular hybrid car.
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Frequently asked questions
PHEV stands for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle.
PHEVs use batteries to power an electric motor and another fuel, such as gasoline or diesel, to power an internal combustion engine.
PHEVs have lower operating costs and fuel use compared to conventional vehicles. They also produce lower levels of emissions, depending on the electricity source and how often the vehicle is operated in all-electric mode.
PHEVs can be charged using a wall outlet or charging equipment, by the internal combustion engine, or through regenerative braking.
Some PHEVs on the market include the Kia Niro, Hyundai Tucson, and Kia Telluride.
