BEV vs. PHEV vs. Hybrid: What’s the Difference?

At Major World, we’re proud to offer a huge inventory of vehicles from all the most popular automakers, including Chevy, Tesla, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Jeep, and much more! Whether you’re looking for a two-door sports car, a full-size family SUV, or a robust work truck, we’re confident you’ll find something to love in our lineup. If you’re interested in maximizing your efficiency and performance on the Queens roads, consider upgrading to a hybrid or fully-electric vehicle! Hybrids and EVs come with a lot of subsections that have acronyms and abbreviations such as BEV, PHEV, FCEV, and HEV. If you’re not sure how to tell these vehicles apart, Major World is here to help – check out the comparison guide below for all the details on the most common hybrid vs. EV terms. 

Hybrid Terms: HEV, PHEV & EV

Although all hybrid vehicles are broadly similar in that they are powered simultaneously by gasoline and electric power, there are plenty of different types of hybrids. It’s important to have a general idea of how each type of hybrid works so you can stay informed as you shop for your next ride. Here are the two major categories:

HEV: Hybrid Electric Vehicle

While HEV can refer to all types of hybrids, it also refers to a “traditional hybrid” powertrain, which uses a gasoline engine and a small electric motor to provide power to a vehicle. The electric motor is powered by a battery that self-charges as you drive, so you never have to plug it in to recharge. HEVs are generally divided into parallel hybrids, which use both gasoline and electricity at the same time, and series hybrids, which draw power only from the electric motor (the motor is in turn powered by the gasoline engine).

PHEV: Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle

PHEVs, or plug-in hybrids, are a kind of middle ground between traditional HEVs and fully-electric vehicles. Their electric motors are much larger and more powerful, which means you can drive short distances on electric power alone. If you typically use your car just for a short commute or quick errands around %%targt_city_2%%, you might be able to use a PHEV almost entirely on electricity! However, the battery’s larger size means it can’t self-charge, so you have to plug in a PHEV either at home or on the go.

Electric Terms: BEV & FCEV

Unlike hybrids, electric vehicles are powered entirely by an electric motor, which offer powerful performance specs and zero carbon emissions from the lack of gasoline engine! EVs can generally be divided into two categories:

BEV: Battery Electric Vehicle

What is a BEV? This term simply refers to a fully-electric vehicle, and is commonly shortened to EV. As the name suggests, BEVs draw their power from batteries, which have to be plugged into an electric vehicle charging station to recharge. These stations can either be installed by an electrician in your home, or can be found in public areas thanks to networks like PlugShare and Electrify America.

FCEV: Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

A fuel cell vehicle is also fully powered by an electric motor, but this motor isn’t powered solely by batteries. Instead, FCEVs come with fuel cells that convert hydrogen gas into electricity, with a small battery that provides a bit of additional power. FCEVs are probably the least common type of hybrid/EV, but they offer excellent efficiency and near-instantaneous torque that makes for a thrilling, smooth ride. 

Find Your Next Hybrid or EV at Major World!

Now that we’ve answered questions like “what is a BEV” and “how do hybrids and EVs differ,” you might be interested in testing out an available model for yourself! Contact our office to see what we have available, then head to our dealership to set up a test drive around Bronx. You can also check out our blog for the latest service tips, vehicle information, and automotive news!