What is the difference between plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, oil hybrid electric vehicle, and range extended electric vehicle?

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), in simple terms, is a car that is driven by two power systems: an engine and an electric motor, which can be powered by either oil or electricity. What are the differences between plug-in hybrid, traditional hybrid, and range extender electric vehicles?

 

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), in simple terms, is a car that is driven by two power systems: an engine and an electric motor, which can be powered by either oil or electricity. What are the differences between plug-in hybrid, traditional hybrid, and range extender electric vehicles?

 

Hybrid electric vehicle

Hybrid vehicles can generally be divided into regular hybrid and plug-in hybrid.

 

 

According to the proportion of motor drive power to vehicle power (i.e., blending degree), it can be divided into micro blending, mild blending, moderate blending, and heavy/full blending.

 

1. Ordinary hybrid power - equivalent to a relatively fuel-efficient fuel vehicle

The engine of a regular hybrid car is still the main power source, and the electric motor is only an auxiliary power source. Some models even use electric motor assistance only when starting and going uphill, so it is only equivalent to a relatively fuel-efficient fuel vehicle.

Dual engine models such as Corolla and Corolla are mostly hybrid. However, it should be noted that ordinary hybrid electric vehicles cannot be strictly considered as new energy vehicles, and their license plates are still blue, not green.

 

 

2. Plug in hybrid power - equivalent to a regular hybrid vehicle with a plug-in port

Plug in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a new energy vehicle that falls between pure electric vehicles and fuel vehicles. Compared to ordinary hybrid vehicles, PHEV has an additional plug-in port for external charging, a larger battery capacity, and a longer range.

 

 

It can be driven by pure electricity or by the engine after the battery is depleted, and charged to the battery at the appropriate time.

 

Plug in hybrid vehicles are currently the trend and a better choice for transitioning from pure gasoline vehicles to pure electric vehicles. Plug in hybrid vehicles have much lower fuel consumption than pure gasoline vehicles and longer range than ordinary pure electric vehicles. Brands like Roewe eRX5 and MG 6 are all plug-in hybrid vehicles.

 

 

Advantages: Fast power response, good user experience, good fuel economy, elimination of battery anxiety, and government subsidies for car purchases;

Disadvantages: High cost, complex structure, high quality, and high maintenance costs.

 

Classification of plug-in hybrid vehicles:

According to the different types of automotive power system structures, plug-in hybrid vehicles can be divided into series (extended range), parallel, and hybrid types.

 

 

And the extended range hybrid electric vehicle that we often hear about is also called series hybrid in terms of technology. Let's talk about it in detail below.

 

3. Extended range hybrid power - equivalent to a regular electric vehicle+gasoline generator

An extended range hybrid electric vehicle, in simple terms, is equivalent to a regular electric vehicle with a gasoline generator. That is, the engine does not directly drive the wheels, but charges the battery, which then drives the motor, and the motor drives the car to travel.

The biggest feature of an extended range hybrid vehicle is that its engine cannot directly drive the wheels under any circumstances, and can only drive the vehicle through an electric motor.

 

 

Each of these types of cars has its own advantages, so it is best to choose the car model that suits your needs and preferences.

 

In summary

Plug in hybrid: suitable for friends who have charging conditions, pursue low fuel consumption and high performance.

Extended range: Suitable for friends who enjoy the driving experience of electric vehicles but are concerned about the range.

Gasoline hybrid: suitable for friends who do not want to tinker with charging, only want to save fuel but also want to maintain their habit of driving gasoline cars.