What does a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle mean?
3 Answers
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, abbreviated as PHEV, is a new energy vehicle that falls between pure electric vehicles and fuel-powered vehicles. It has both the traditional car's engine, transmission, drivetrain, fuel system, and fuel tank, as well as the pure electric vehicle's battery, motor, and control circuit, with a relatively large battery capacity and a charging port. It combines the advantages of both pure electric vehicles (EV) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV), enabling zero-emission driving in pure electric mode and extending the vehicle's range through hybrid mode. In daily use, it can function as a pure electric vehicle as long as the single usage does not exceed the battery's provided range (generally achieving over 50 kilometers is not a problem), thus achieving zero emissions and zero fuel consumption. Due to the high cost of batteries, it is difficult for such vehicles to enter households at a lower price in the short term. However, influenced by the domestic automotive development trends and government attention, corresponding subsidies have been increased. Based on the proportion of motor driving power to the total vehicle power (also known as the hybrid degree), hybrid electric vehicles can generally be divided into the following four types: micro hybrid, with a hybrid degree of less than 5%; mild hybrid, generally around 20%; moderate hybrid, with a hybrid degree of 30% to 40%; and full hybrid, with a hybrid degree of over 40%. Series plug-in hybrid electric vehicle: Also known as range-extended electric vehicles. The engine does not directly drive the car; instead, it first drives a generator to produce electricity, which then powers the motor to drive the car. The energy transfer chain is long, resulting in relatively low overall efficiency. Parallel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle: In this type, both the engine and the motor can drive the car. It offers multiple power transmission modes, good dynamic performance, simple structure, and wide application, making it the mainstream technical route. Series-parallel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle: Also known as power-split type. It generally requires two motors (one generator and one motor) and a planetary gear set for power splitting. This type has the most complex structure and control. Only a very few manufacturers have the capability to produce and manufacture this type of product, and there are certain patent barriers.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), commonly known as plug-in hybrids, are equipped with both a fuel engine and an electric motor system. Their most notable feature is the ability to charge the battery using a standard power socket. My car falls into this category—it's perfect for my 20-kilometer daily commute in the city, running entirely on electricity, costing just over 0.1 yuan per kilometer, which is even cheaper than taking the subway. For long-distance trips, a full tank allows me to travel up to 800 kilometers, and with gas stations everywhere, range anxiety is nonexistent. The car also comes with an energy recovery system that recharges the battery during braking or downhill driving, making it ideal for someone like me who wants to save on fuel costs while frequently traveling between cities. Additionally, it qualifies for green license plates, exempt from traffic restrictions, and with charging stations now widely available in residential areas and shopping malls, PHEVs are significantly more practical than pure electric vehicles.
I recently test-drove a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, and my immediate impression was how perfectly suited it is for Chinese road conditions. In city traffic, using electric power is quiet and cost-effective—the engine doesn't even need to start, and the high torque of the electric motor makes accelerating from red lights incredibly quick. On highways, it automatically switches to direct engine drive, which is much more energy-efficient than pure electric vehicles. The most crucial aspect is the flexibility in charging options. I can't install a charging station in my home parking space, but there are fast-charging stations downstairs at my workplace. Plugging in during my lunch break for half an hour can charge the battery up to 80%, which is even more convenient than refueling a gasoline car. Even if the battery degrades after five or six years, it's not a concern since you can still drive using gasoline, and these vehicles maintain relatively high resale value in the used car market.
