What is the Difference Between Mild Hybrid and Hybrid Electric Vehicles?
2 Answers
Mild hybrid and hybrid electric vehicles differ in their working principles, resulting in varying fuel consumption. The specific details are as follows: 1. Mild hybrid, also known as MHEV, commonly refers to the 48V mild hybrid system. As the name suggests, 48V increases the original 12V voltage by four times, enabling it to easily power higher-wattage onboard electrical equipment. This allows high-power devices such as the steering system, starter motor, and air conditioning to continue operating even when the engine is turned off. 2. Hybrid electric vehicles add one or more drive motors to the traditional combustion engine. These motors not only assist the engine in generating stronger power but can also independently drive the vehicle under fixed conditions like low speeds or constant cruising. Particularly in congested urban environments, hybrid electric vehicles demonstrate significant fuel-saving effects.
The differences between these two hybrid systems are quite noticeable. I personally pay more attention to technical details. The mild hybrid is essentially an auxiliary system, using a small motor to assist the engine during startup and acceleration, while still primarily relying on fuel combustion under normal conditions. On the other hand, the full hybrid vehicle has a larger motor, especially capable of pure electric driving for short distances during low-speed traffic jams, allowing the engine to rest and save more fuel. The fuel-saving effect of mild hybrid systems is limited, typically reducing fuel consumption by only 10-15%; however, full hybrids are much more efficient, saving 20-40% on fuel costs in urban driving. Structurally, mild hybrids require minimal modifications, just adding a 48V battery, making maintenance relatively simple and cheaper. Full hybrids, however, need larger battery packs and complex energy management systems, resulting in higher maintenance costs. Nowadays, many cars use mild hybrids as a transitional solution, but to truly experience the advantages of hybrid technology, full hybrids are the way to go.
