How Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) Work
By 2030, it’s projected that there will be more than 26 million electric vehicles (EVs) in the U.S, according to the Edison Electric Institute (EEI). However, many potential EV drivers have range anxiety and are concerned about being limited by the range of an electric vehicle. EV range continues to improve across the board as technology advances, but range anxiety and the lack of robust charging infrastructure to date still concerns many drivers.
For this reason, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are a popular alternative because they offer some of the same advantages as electric vehicles without the same range issues. Because this is a major automotive industry trend, it is essential for solar and EV infrastructure installers to know what is going on in the EV market to help educate potential customers.
What Is A Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle?
PHEVs have both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The former uses a fuel source, which is commonly gasoline. The electric motor is powered by batteries charged by plugging in and regenerative braking.
How Do Plug-In Hybrid Cars Work?
Typically, PHEVs can travel a certain distance with just electric power. However, when the electric motor depletes the batteries, the vehicle can use the gas engine.
For drivers who tend to stay relatively close to home or have the ability to charge on the go, they might be able to run primarily from electricity.
Often, plug-in hybrid vehicle owners appreciate the ability to charge at home. The most popular options are a Level I charger using a standard wall outlet or upgrading to a Level II charger with 240 volts. Also, drivers may charge their PHEVs using commercial charging stations at shopping centers, gas stations, or parking lots. These public charging stations will continue to gain popularity as PHEV adoption increases, and can be a great call for businesses looking for a customer experience differentiator.
What's The Difference Between Plug-In Hybrids And Other Electric Vehicles?
Not all EVs are created equal. Let’s cover the difference between BEVs, HEVs, and PHEVs.
BEVs Vs. PHEVs
Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) run exclusively from electricity and typically do not have gas tanks. Popular models include the Chevy Bolt, the Tesla Model 3, the BMW i4, the Rivian R1T, and the Ford F-150 Lightning. The most obvious difference between BEVs and PHEVs is that PHEVs offer a gasoline engine as backup when the battery’s electric charge is depleted. This could help quell some range anxiety and offer a more predictable driving experience.
HEVs Vs. PHEVs
HEVs, also called “conventional hybrids” and PHEVs are very similar, except the PHEVs typically have higher capacity batteries and charging capabilities. This enables the car to have an electric range that requires no gasoline or fuel. A standard hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) without plug-in abilities doesn’t run for significant amounts of time with only electricity, except at very low speeds or when stopped. This hurts the fuel economy of conventional hybrids and causes the car to consume more fuel.
Benefits And Drawbacks Of Plug-In Hybrids
PHEVs certainly have their advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore both.
Benefits Of Owning A PHEV
For drivers who charge regularly, plug-in hybrids can significantly reduce their tailpipe emissions and fuel costs. Typically, the more the hybrid runs in electric mode, the greater the fuel savings. Households with solar energy systems can charge their PHEVs with solar electricity.
Also, many people are concerned about the environment and the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on climate change. The more the car runs on electric mode, the less air pollution.
Drawbacks To Consider When Looking To Buy A PHEV
Some drivers may not have convenient access to an EV charger or find it inconvenient to charge. This is especially problematic for people that live in multi-unit buildings. If a PHEV isn’t charged, the driver will miss out on the advantages, and the car will get similar gas mileage as a typical hybrid vehicle.
PHEVs also typically have a larger battery than HEVs, resulting in higher-cost vehicles. This means some of the capacity of the battery is going to waste if not run on electric regularly.
How Do PHEVs Impact The Environment?
Because PHEVs may often run from just the electric motor, they can significantly reduce tailpipe emissions. This means drivers won’t need to fill up as regularly either. However, the exact reduction in emissions depends on how frequently the car runs in electric mode.
If the driver never charges the car, it will emit a similar amount as an HEV without plug-in abilities. However, when charging regularly with clean electricity, PHEVs can result in a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Keep in mind that the environmental impact of the PHEV depends on the power source for the electricity. For example, if the electricity is generated from a coal power plant, the positive effect diminishes. On the other hand, charging a PHEV with wind or solar power significantly reduces carbon emissions. Also, to decrease the environmental impact of the vehicle at the end of its lifespan, it’s important to recycle as many components as possible, including the lithium-ion car batteries.
What Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles Are On The Market Today?
As of November 2022, there were 34 plug-in hybrids on the market, including models from BMW, Audi, Volvo, Porsche, Volkswagen, Kia, Land Rover, Toyota and Ford/Lincoln.
Popular plug-in hybrid models include the:
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Kia Sorento PHEV
Hyundai Ioniq
Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV
Toyota Prius Prime
Honda Clarity PHEV
Ford Escape PHEV
There are now numerous plug-in hybrid vehicles in various vehicle classes on the market. For example, the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime has an electric range of 25 miles in pure-electric mode and gets 54 miles per gallon (mpg) city/highway combined when running the gasoline engine. The Prius Prime has a battery capacity of around 8.8kWh.
The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime has an electric range of 42 miles and gets 38 mpg city/highway combined when running on gas. Its battery pack capacity is significant as well at around 18.1kWh. [1]
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles Offer More Convenience Than All-Electric To Everyday Drivers
PHEVs are an excellent way for drivers to transition to electric vehicles without the same range issues as pure electric models. As the market for plug-in hybrids increases, so will the demand for charging infrastructure. This creates excellent opportunities for new EV infrastructure installers to rise to the challenge.
GreenLancer EV offers charging installers a catalog of on-demand services including permit plan sets, underground surveys and more. Our platform was designed to make it easy to request and fulfill services so you can focus on installs.
[1] Source: https://talquin.chooseev.com/compare_phev/