A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) is similar to conventional hybrids, but they have a larger battery that can be charged by plugging into an electric outlet. PHEVs are usually designed with an electric-only range of 10 to 40 miles, blended with a gasoline engine to achieve higher speeds and loads. After the electric-only range is exceeded, the vehicle continues to operate as a hybrid vehicle using a gasoline engine or generator.

PHEVs can be configured to operate serially, or in a blended fashion. In a serial configuration, the vehicle runs on electricity alone at some points, like starting, and uses its other power source alone at others, for example, when accelerating. Alternatively, a plug-in hybrid may be configured for blended operation, with the battery and the conventional engine operating together.

Advantages of PHEVs:

• Reduced fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions
• Cleaner electric energy through advances in natural gas and coal gasification
• Optimized fuel efficiency and performance
• Recovered energy from regenerative braking
• Unchanged gas station infrastructure
• Grid connection potential
• "Home based" battery recharging at a fraction of the cost of petroleum equivalent
• Pure zero emission capability
• Even lower fueling costs compared to battery sustaining hybrids
• Possible use in secondary markets for used batteries and reduced waste

Challenges:

• Cost and complexity of two powertrains
• Component availability--batteries, powertrains, power electronics
• Higher initial cost
• Cost of batteries and battery replacement
• Added weight

Check our list of vehicles to see which models are available now, or will be available in the future, for this technology.

See Also

  >> Battery electric vehicles
  >> Extended-Range electric vehicles
  >> Fuel Cell electric vehicles
  >> Hybrid electric vehicles
  >> Medium/Heavy duty vehicles
  >> Neighborhood electric vehicles