What’s the Difference between a PHEV vs. BEV?

What’s the Difference between a PHEV vs. BEV?

The market for electric vehicles is growing at an impressive rate. Garfield Township-area drivers are becoming increasingly interested in making the shift to an electric model to save money, decrease their footprint, and enjoy the performance EVs can provide. Whether you are interested in a light transition with the power of a conventional engine or you’re ready to dive into a fully electric model, you have plenty of options.

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So what are the differences between electric vehicles? What is a BEV? What is a PHEV? Serra Volvo Cars of Traverse City covers the difference between hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, battery-powered electric vehicles, and fuel-cell electric models. Dive into all the details regarding your electric vehicle choices in Interlochen with the team at Serra Volvo Cars of Traverse City today!

Explore Electric Vehicles: BEV vs. PHEV vs. Hybrid vs. Fuel Cell

The shift in direction towards electric models gives Kalkaska-area shoppers more options when they are looking to upgrade their vehicle to an electric model. Below we’ll cover four of the most common electric options for drivers shopping with manufacturers like Volvo:

• MHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle): MHEVs use a mechanical system aimed at improving gas mileage by the combination of a large battery and electric motor to increase the efficiency of the internal combustion engine. Unlike a hybrid electric vehicle, an MHEV isn’t operating on only electric power, however, the combustion can be shut off during braking, coasting, and stopping. Additionally, even with the combustion engine off, the electric motor can power nonessential features.

• HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle): A hybrid electric vehicle includes a self-charging electric motor that works in tandem with your engine on Interlochen roads to provide improved gas mileage. This type of electric model requires gas in the tank, but oftentimes these types of hybrids offer regenerative braking to recharge the battery.

• PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle): Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles have a larger battery than an HEV, and the motor must be charged in order to regain mileage, but it’s a great option for those looking to try out more fuel-efficient models. It’s also effective for those who want to spend time utilizing only electric energy, but still have gas as a backup. You can even take advantage of accessible charging stations around Garfield Township.

• BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle): A battery electric vehicle is a completely electric model with a larger motor and battery than what you’ll find in the previously mentioned models. It also requires overall less maintenance than a traditional vehicle or hybrid model. In this case, you’ll also want to invest in a home charger so you will be able to charge up as often as you need. 

• FCEV (Hydrogen Fuel Cell): Fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles aren’t very common due to the expense, and the limited availability of charging stations.

BEV vs. PHEV vs. Hybrid vs. EV: Significant Parts 

Each of these models has a different set of parts that play more or less significant roles in the architecture of each vehicle. This also means the capacity of each model varies as well. 

Battery Electric Vehicles

BEV models are completely electric, and because of this, they have the largest set of batteries, ranging from 40 kWh to 80 kWh, and the latest models even reach all the way up to 200 kWh. 

• ​​Electric motor
• Inverter
• Battery
• Control Module
• Drive train

Hydrogen Electric Vehicles (Fuel Cell)

• Electric motor
• Fuel-cell stack
• Hydrogen storage tank
• Battery with converter and controller

Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles:

The MHEV electric motor is an assistant to the gas engine, while the battery is typically about 48V, which equates to about 1 kWh or less. 

Hybrid Electric Vehicles:

In these models, the battery is an assistant to the engine, and in this case, the battery will play a smaller role in the overall performance of the vehicle. 

• Engine
• Electric motor
• Battery pack with controller & inverter
• Fuel tank
• Control module

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles:

Relative to an HEV, the PHEV has a larger battery due to the time periods where it operates solely on the battery and electric motor. This remains smaller than that of a BEV, as it will have a battery of roughly 15 kWh. 

• Electric motor
• Engine
• Inverter
• Battery
• Fuel tank
• Control module
• Battery Charger 

Upgrade to an EV at Serra Volvo Cars of Traverse City Today!

After exploring the differences between the types of electric vehicles like the PHEV vs. BEV, and understanding further what is a BEV, PHEV, and more, come see them for yourself! The team at Serra Volvo Cars of Traverse City can help you dive into some of the unique models available for Kalkaska-area drivers at our Traverse City dealership.