Plug-in hybrid Electric Vehicle or All Electric Vehicle

Electric Cars: The Basics

For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:

EV Knowledge

Dec 1, 2022

Types Of Electric Cars: The Complete Guide For The UK

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EV Knowledge

Nov 4, 2022

Electric Cars: Pros And Cons: The Complete Guide For The UK

Electric Cars: The Basics For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles: Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter…

EV Knowledge

Mar 9, 2022

Top Jargons Used For Electric Driving: The Complete Guide For The UK

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EV Knowledge

Aug 2, 2022

Air Quality: The Complete Guide For The UK

Electric Cars: The Basics For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles: Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter…

EV Knowledge

Nov 15, 2022

Are Electric Vehicles (EVs) A New Invention? The Complete Guide For The UK

Electric Cars: The Basics For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles: Sign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter…

BEV Or PHEV? Which Is Better?

For those of you new to electric cars, it is worth following this link to read an introduction to the different types of electric vehicles (EVs). Though there are a few different type of electric cars, the most common types are: battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Both these types of EVs are environmentally-friendly, and offer numerous advantages over conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) petrol and diesel vehicles.

In general, given the significant improvement in availability, performance, electric range and affordability of pure electric cars, we recommend, where appropriate, choosing a battery-electric vehicle (BEV), instead of a PHEV. Yes, BEVs are also referred to as pure electric cars. An example of a BEV is the all-electric Lotus Eletre Hyper-SUV, while an example of a PHEV, is the Peugeot 408 Plug-In Hybrid!

**The All-Electric Lotus Eletre (credit: Lotus)**

In our view, there are very few reasons to choose a PHEV, instead of a BEV, given the significant increase in residential and public EV charging infrastructure in the UK and emission-free electric range. Do keep in mind that the majority of EV charging sessions are done at home, and usually overnight. Moreover, the longest range electric cars available in 2023, have a claimed WLTP range well over 300 miles on a single charge. In fact, the all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQS has a claimed range up to a whopping 453 miles. Range anxiety has been archived to history!

BEV/ PHEV: What is the difference?
What is a battery-electric vehicle (BEV)?	A battery-electric vehicle is more commonly referred to as a pure electric car. The EVs are ‘pure’ in that, the vehicle only uses electric power for propulsion i.e. a BEV does not have an internal combustion engine (ICE). It is easy to recognise these zero-tailpipe emission green cars, as these vehicles are silent (except for the artificial noise) and do not have a tailpipe! The electric vehicles have a much larger onboard EV battery than a PHEV. The EV battery on a BEV can be as large as 120 kWh, though an average in 60 kWh. In any case, most BEVs have an EV battery larger than 30 kWh. BEVs also use regenerative braking to improve the vehicle efficiency and electric range. However, the main source for the EV range is the EV battery, which can only be charged using an external power source, like an EV charger. BEVs can vary in electric range, depending on a number factors. However, the more recent BEVs deliver a range between 100 miles to 300 miles (WLTP) on a single charge. As an example, the all-electric VW ID.3 has a range up to 336 miles.
What is a Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)?	Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) aim to achieve the same objectives as a MHEV i.e. increase fuel efficiency and reduce tailpipe emissions. However there is much difference between a PHEV and a MHEV. The PHEV has a larger electric motor and onboard EV battery, that is used to assist the internal combustion engine (ICE), but also to propel the vehicle. In a MHEV, the small onboard electric motor does not propel the vehicle. PHEVs come in varied EV battery sizes, but in general, most PHEVs have an EV battery size below 20 kWh. A plug-in electric car is capable of up to 25 miles zero-tailpipe emission electric miles. However, some PHEVs are capable of even longer electric miles. The Volvo XC60 PHEV is a good example of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with a longer range (48.5 miles). Unlike a MHEV, a PHEV EV battery is charged by using an external power source, like a dedicated EV charger.

BEV/ PHEV: What is the difference?

What is a battery-electric vehicle (BEV)?

A battery-electric vehicle is more commonly referred to as a pure electric car. The EVs are ‘pure’ in that, the vehicle only uses electric power for propulsion i.e. a BEV does not have an internal combustion engine (ICE). It is easy to recognise these zero-tailpipe emission green cars, as these vehicles are silent (except for the artificial noise) and do not have a tailpipe! The electric vehicles have a much larger onboard EV battery than a PHEV. The EV battery on a BEV can be as large as 120 kWh, though an average in 60 kWh. In any case, most BEVs have an EV battery larger than 30 kWh. BEVs also use regenerative braking to improve the vehicle efficiency and electric range. However, the main source for the EV range is the EV battery, which can only be charged using an external power source, like an EV charger. BEVs can vary in electric range, depending on a number factors. However, the more recent BEVs deliver a range between 100 miles to 300 miles (WLTP) on a single charge. As an example, the all-electric VW ID.3 has a range up to 336 miles.

What is a Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)?

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) aim to achieve the same objectives as a MHEV i.e. increase fuel efficiency and reduce tailpipe emissions. However there is much difference between a PHEV and a MHEV. The PHEV has a larger electric motor and onboard EV battery, that is used to assist the internal combustion engine (ICE), but also to propel the vehicle. In a MHEV, the small onboard electric motor does not propel the vehicle. PHEVs come in varied EV battery sizes, but in general, most PHEVs have an EV battery size below 20 kWh. A plug-in electric car is capable of up to 25 miles zero-tailpipe emission electric miles. However, some PHEVs are capable of even longer electric miles. The Volvo XC60 PHEV is a good example of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with a longer range (48.5 miles). Unlike a MHEV, a PHEV EV battery is charged by using an external power source, like a dedicated EV charger.

Though, both PHEVs and BEVs offer significant advantages over conventional petrol and diesel cars, it is clear, in that, pure electric cars offer more benefits than plug-in hybrid electric cars. For a start, a BEV is always zero-tailpipe emission electric driving, while PHEVs are only zero-tailpipe emissions, when driven on electric mode. Of course, zero-tailpipe emissions are key in combating the increased health risk from rising air pollution. Also, BEVs offer more financial savings over the long-term, to include, lower driving costs, lower service and maintenance costs, and a lot more.

Lease Electric Car

BEVs: Key Attributes	PHEVs: Key Attributes
Zero-tailpipe emissions	Low tailpipe emissions, but not zero
Large onboard EV battery (30 kWh – 110 kWh)	Small onboard EV battery (8 kWh-20 kWh)
Useful pure electric range (usually between 100 – 400 miles)	Limited pure electric range (usually between 20-50 miles)
Low maintenance and service costs	Higher maintenance and service costs
Low benefit-in-kind (BiK) tax rate (2%)	Higher BiK tax rates
Cheap to drive per mile	More expensive to drive per mile

In general, a pure electric car should meet most day-to-day driving needs for families, and also for company-car drivers. In our view, the only reason to consider driving a PHEV, is that you lack access to EV charging infrastructure (residential or public), and have to travel significant distances on a regular basis. Otherwise, a pure electric car, is always the better option.

Top Two Reasons To Choose A PHEV
Driving long distances on a regular basis:	In the UK, the average distance travelled by a car is a mere 30 miles. This should not come as a surprise, given that the majority of our commutes are short distances i.e. school-run, grocery store, gym, work, high street etc. How often do we really travel long journeys on a regular basis? Well, not often. However, if you are part of the minority that does travel significant distances on a very regular basis, potentially a PHEV maybe more appropriate.
EV charging stations:	If you don’t have access to EV charging stations at home, the workplace or a destination public charging station, then maybe a plug-in hybrid may be worth considering. Having said that, given the significant increase in the deployment of electric car charging stations, private and public, most have access to EV charging.

Top Two Reasons To Choose A PHEV

Driving long distances on a regular basis:

In the UK, the average distance travelled by a car is a mere 30 miles. This should not come as a surprise, given that the majority of our commutes are short distances i.e. school-run, grocery store, gym, work, high street etc. How often do we really travel long journeys on a regular basis? Well, not often. However, if you are part of the minority that does travel significant distances on a very regular basis, potentially a PHEV maybe more appropriate.

EV charging stations:

If you don’t have access to EV charging stations at home, the workplace or a destination public charging station, then maybe a plug-in hybrid may be worth considering. Having said that, given the significant increase in the deployment of electric car charging stations, private and public, most have access to EV charging.