#Plug in hybrid cars generator
#Plug in hybrid cars full

REVs are typically considered as either BEVs (by the previous definition) or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) due to the inclusion of a gasoline-powered engine.

Range extender vehicles (REV), also referred to as extended range electric vehicles (EREV), are effectively battery electric vehicles (BEVs) with a small internal combustion engine that is used to generate additional electricity. It is estimated that many electric vehicles will cost pretty much the same as their gasoline-powered counterparts by 2023. As the price of lithium-ion batteries decreases, expect the price of EVs to fall as well. Plug-in hybrids offer an affordable middle ground for those who are interested in becoming more eco-friendly and cost-effective with their transportation expenses but are still intimidated by the initial cost of BEVs. Even the 2019 fully electric model’s starting MSRP of $38,500 costs around $9,000 more than the 2020 plug-in hybrid model and almost $14,000 more than the 2020 gas model. For example, consider the 2019/2020 Kia Niro. Due to their smaller battery size, PHEV models are a cheaper alternative to their BEV counterparts. The biggest reason for the higher price tag is the expense of the traction battery, making battery size an important determining factor when comparing MSRP among types of EVs. In general, EVs tend to currently have a higher manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) than traditional gas vehicles. Think of an PHEV as being the best of both worlds. For long road trips, you have the backup of the car's gasoline engine and gas tank to take you at least 300 miles before you have to refuel. If you drive your car to work, you can also recharge your plug-in hybrid at any standard electrical plug so that you can do your daily commute without using gasoline. If you have a 240-volt electrical socket wired up at home, your Level 2 charger can recharge your PHEV in about three hours.

#Plug in hybrid cars full

Level 1 charging generally takes six hours to get you a full charge. The chargers themselves are designed to last for 30 years of daily charging.Ĭharging overnight is best, when electricity rates are at their lowest cost. Basically, with Level 1 charging, you can recharge anywhere that has a standard electrical outlet. The 12-amp setting will charge up the car faster but they have been known to trip the circuit breaker depending on how your house is wired. DC fast chargers are considered too powerful for most PHEVs due to the cars' lower battery capacities and onboard charger restrictions.įor Level 1 charging at home, your car comes with a 120-volt charger that can be switched from 8 to 12-amps for recharging. Level 2 charging will charge your car faster but you'll need to have a 240-volt outlet installed in your garage or use public charging stations. The onboard chargers that come with most plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are only equipped to handle AC power, which can be extracted from standard home wall outlets. Level 1 means you can plug your car right in to any standard 120-volt electric power outlet to recharge it. How do you charge up a PHEV? It's easy.įirst of all, plug-in hybrid cars only use Level 1 and Level 2 charging. The idea here is that you can drive 28 to 60 miles (depending on the make and model of PHEV) on electric power to get to work or do errands around town without having to use gasoline. Think of a plug-in hybrid car (PHEV) as an electric car that has a gasoline-powered engine as backup. In other words, this mechanism recovers energy using the vehicle’s momentum to use less electrical energy and extend the battery’s state of charge. The energy is then stored in the battery, ready to power the motor again.

#Plug in hybrid cars generator

Regenerative braking occurs when the driver takes their foot off of the acceleration pedal, prompting the generator to spin (or the motor to act in reverse) and convert unused kinetic energy into electrical energy. PHEVs also come standard with a useful energy recovery mechanism called regenerative braking, which is controlled either by the motor or another component known as a generator. Depending on the number and placement of these motors, a PHEV’s drivetrain can either be front-wheel drive (FWD), rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The vehicle’s transmission then transfers that mechanical energy from the motor to drive the wheels. Using the electrical energy stored inside the traction battery pack, the electric traction motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.