What is the difference between PHEV and HEV?
2 Answers
PHEV stands for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, while HEV stands for Hybrid Electric Vehicle. The biggest difference is that the former can only use electric power to drive the car by charging, while the latter generates electricity through fuel operation to power the car. Similar to HEV, PHEV has a relatively small battery capacity. The energy is generally around 20KWh, allowing for a fully electric driving range of about 100km. More relevant information is as follows: 1. License Plate: PHEV can be registered with a green license plate, while HEV can only be registered with a fuel vehicle license plate. Currently, the hybrid models in the automotive market that can be registered with green plates are plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, i.e., PHEV. 2. Recommendation: When buying a car, it is recommended to choose the latter. Based on current technology, the latter will definitely have a longer usage time than the former, and you don’t need to worry about not having a place to charge and being unable to use electric power to drive the car.
As a city dweller who drives frequently, I believe the biggest difference between PHEV and HEV lies in how they charge and use electricity. PHEV stands for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, which has a much larger battery. You can charge it from a charging station, and after charging, it can drive purely on electricity for 30 to 50 kilometers or even more, making it particularly suitable for commuting without using any fuel, saving a lot on gas money. HEV, or Hybrid Electric Vehicle, has a smaller battery and cannot be charged by plugging in; it relies solely on the engine and regenerative braking to charge automatically, always running on a mix of fuel and electricity. If you have convenient charging options where you live, such as a home charging station, PHEV offers greater advantages. However, if there are no charging stations available, it may not fully utilize its energy-saving potential. PHEVs also feature a pure electric mode, making daily driving almost noiseless and quite comfortable, while HEVs can be refueled anytime, making them more suitable for long-distance travel or a lifestyle without fixed charging points. In summary, choosing between them depends on your charging conditions and driving habits—both can help save money, but in different ways.