Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

For drivers with long commutes or who take frequent road trips, a battery electric vehicle (BEV) may not provide the desired range. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) offers an alternative. PHEVs use an electric motor and a battery to drive about 20-50 miles on electricity but also have a gasoline engine that can be used as backup.

Advantages

  • They offer the benefits of electric power, but the gasoline engine can help out when needed.
  • Compared to gasoline vehicles, they offer better fuel economy (less gas burned) and lower fuel costs (because electricity is cheaper than gas).
  • With less gas burned, PHEVs reduce our dependence on oil and emit fewer greenhouse gases than gasoline vehicles.
  • PHEVs may qualify for financial incentives such as rebates, tax credits, etc.

Disadvantages

  • Because they have both electric and gasoline components, PHEVs have a more complex design than BEVs.
  • Maintenance is required on both systems. Although the electric elements (battery, electric motor, and electronics) demand minimal maintenance, gas engines require oil changes and the same checks that conventional gas engines need.
  • Having both a combustion engine and a battery pack takes up space and adds weight.

How are PHEVs charged?

Just as with a BEV, the battery in a PHEV needs to be charged. There are several levels of charging. How often you charge and where you plug in depend on how far you drive and the charging method.

Level 1

A standard 120-volt home receptacle on a dedicated circuit will provide three to five miles of driving range for every hour of charging.

Level 2

Level 2 charging, which can be installed at home or found in public settings, will provide 12 to 60 miles of range for every hour of charging.

DC Fast Charge

DC Fast Charging, the quickest level of charging, is not compatible with most PHEVs.

How safe is charging a PHEV?

Safety features are built into PHEVs and charging equipment. The charging cable is not live while you handle it, but only when it is connected to the vehicle. The charger senses that the connection is property made before the electric current is turned on. Also, the charger has a ground-fault-interrupter (GFI). To prevent shocks, charging stops immediately if leakage of even a few milliamps of current occurs.

*Information provided by Touchstone Energy