Plug-in hybrids provide extended vehicle range.
Extended Range Electric Vehicles (EREVs) operate on electricity and use gasoline to power an engine that supplies additional electrical power to the battery.
The Chevrolet Volt is an EREV with an all-electric range of 35 miles thanks to the lithium-ion battery pack that powers the car’s 149-horsepower (111-kilowatt) electric motor. After that, a small gasoline-powered motor kicks in to generate electricity that can drive the vehicle for an additional 344 miles before being plugged in to recharge.
EPA classifies the Volt as a “series plug-in hybrid” because the gasoline engine is primarily used to generate additional electricity while the electric motor turns the wheels.
Other types of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are powered by a combination of conventional or alternative fuel as well as electric power stored in a battery. During urban driving, most of a PHEV’s power comes from stored electricity. For longer trips or periods of higher acceleration, the internal combustion engine is used, extending the PHEV’s range beyond what the battery can provide alone.
PHEV batteries can be charged by plugging into an outside electric power source, by the internal combustion engine, and through regenerative braking. However, PHEVs don’t have to be plugged in to be driven. They can be fueled solely with gasoline, like a conventional hybrid, although they will not achieve maximum range or fuel economy without charging.