Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)

PHEVs combine an electric motor and an ICE to power the vehicle, with this combination delivering maximum power and efficiency to the car. Some prototype vehicles are also using a fuel cell as the range extending technology.

How it works11

  • The electric motor gets its power from a battery that can be plugged into an electrical outlet.
  • Charged PHEVs have a larger battery than traditional hybrid vehicles
  • When the battery is fully charged, the PHEV can run on electric power using regenerative braking
  • The internal combustion engine kicks in once the battery is depleted, and the PHEV operates like a traditional hybrid vehicle. This is enabled by a control system that monitors the battery level, the speed of the vehicle, and the driver's input.
  • When the battery level is low, the control system will automatically switch to the ICE. The control system will also switch to the ICE if the driver requests more power than the electric motor can provide.

Features12:

  • Can achieve significantly better fuel economy than traditional vehicles, especially for short trips
  • Produce lower emissions than traditional vehicles when operating in electric mode and using the ICE
  • Offer the flexibility of a traditional vehicle, with the added benefit of operating on electric power for short trips.
  • PHEVs can operate emission-free when necessary while also maintaining extended range using diesel or biofuels.

Outlook:

PHEVs are often considered an ideal middle ground towards the transition to all-electric vehicles as they familiarise drivers with electrification and demonstrate the practical advantages of all-electric13 .

Typical use case:

Light-duty vehicles.

Implications for operations:

  • Limited electric-only range
  • Higher maintenance cost compared to BEVs are things to consider when choosing PHEVs.

11US Department of Energy, Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, Alternative Fuels Data Center: Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (energy.gov), https://afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric_basics_phev.html
12Cars Guide, PHEV: Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles in Australia, https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/advice/plug-in-hybrids-explained-everything-you-need-to-know-about-phevs-in-australia-84318
13Cars Guide, PHEV: Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles in Australia, https://www.carsguide.com.au/ev/advice/plug-in-hybrids-explained-everything-you-need-to-know-about-phevs-in-australia-84318