As electric vehicles (EVs) gain more popularity, it often becomes confusing with the use of the term “hybrid.” Is a hybrid actually an EV? And the answer, of course, depends on understanding what an electric vehicle is and how it differs from a hybrid vehicle.
Electric Vehicles: Definition
The term electric vehicle, or EV for short, refers to purely electrically powered automobiles. Electric vehicles possess no internal combustion engine; they are driven instead by rechargeable batteries that make the vehicle 100 percent emission-free. For instance, the Tesla product line, Nissan Leaf, and Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicles all plug into an externally acquired power supply to recharge their batteries and run entirely on electricity. Overall, electric vehicles have been celebrated for their mitigating effects on the environment, reliance on fuels, and running costs.
A Hybrid?
A hybrid is a car that uses a gasoline engine combined with an electric motor. The car uses a smaller battery than that of an EV, and that battery of the car gets recharged through regenerative braking as well as by the gasoline engine, with no external power source to the vehicle. A hybrid car also proves better in terms of fuel efficiency and lesser emission outputs compared with that of the standard car while using fossil fuels.
Two Major Kinds of Hybrids
Traditional Hybrid: This is a hybrid that uses an electric motor to assist the petrol engine. The electric motor can recharge the battery in your car while you continue driving. This vehicle can’t run solely on electric power for long distances, though. Examples include Toyota Prius and Honda Accord Hybrid.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV): A PHEV has a bigger battery than a regular hybrid and can be charged from an external source. It can go a short distance solely on electric power, but it will revert to gasoline if the battery runs out. Examples include the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and the Toyota Prius Prime.
Hybrid an EV?
Technically, a hybrid is not an EV. Although such a vehicle does integrate electric technology, it still runs on gasoline, and there is no way the vehicle can run on electricity alone for long distances, making it very different from an EV. A PHEV is closer to the definition of an EV since it can run on electric only, although it uses gasoline to maximize the range.
Conclusion
Hybrids, of course, reduce fuel consumption and emissions, but they are not pure electric vehicles. Pure EVs solely run on electricity, and hence, they help in the development of a greener life with zero emissions. Hybrid or EV: It is mainly based on your requirements for driving, range expectations, and environmental ambitions.
