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With the number of automobile brands and types increasing in the Philippines as we speak, it can sometimes get a little bit confusing. What’s the difference between an Electric Vehicle and a Hybrid? Is there a middle ground? Is it really environmentally-friendly? And, most importantly, what’s the best for me?
These, dear YugaTech reader, are just some of the questions we hope to address with this quick and simple explainer.
Table of Contents
We’ll be starting off with the Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV). Like its name suggests, it is a terminology used to refer to a vehicle wholly powered by electricity stored in batteries.
The general layout for these types of automobiles is often simple: there is an electric motor moving the wheels, which draws energy from a rechargeable battery. Think of it like a smartphone or any other battery-powered appliance. This often means that you unplug it from the wall charger to start your day, use it until it’s lost all its juice, then recharge it once again.
One of the most highly-marketed benefits of a full EV includes the lack of carbon emissions during use. Due to this, it is seen as the primary option for those who want to minimize their negative impact on the environment. Also, unlike a traditional combustion engine, an electric motor is much quieter – drivers will just hear a silent “whirr” at the very most. Although this can be a jarring experience for some, carmakers have crafted workarounds by simulating engine noises through the speakers.
Electricity also tends to be more affordable than fuel at the moment. This, in addition to governmental incentives (such as exemption from number coding also granted to hybrids), can be a huge draw for people to switch over.
However, there can be no pros without some cons. Much like how you panic a little bit when your smartphone battery’s trickling below a percentage level you’re comfortable with, there is this thing called “Range Anxiety.” Trips, especially out-of-town excursions, need to be planned with the EV’s range in mind. If the destination cannot be reached in one go, then the itinerary also needs to consider stops where the vehicle can charge its batteries once again.
Examples of networks include this Tesla Supercharger Map you can access here.
This may lead to inconvenient stopovers and longer routes overall. In addition to that, even the fastest EV chargers will never outpace the sheer speed of just refueling to a full tank. It may take an entire night of charging with the home power socket to bring the battery to respectable levels, while beefier chargers will still take thirty minutes to an hour.
After thousands of cycles of use, battery degradation also begins to become a factor. Portable battery pack technology, as significant as the strides have become in recent years, still cannot escape from Father Time’s grasp. Most studies show a 1-2% reduction in battery capacity per year. This adds up to around 10-40% if you consider that most auto manufacturers peg the battery’s lifespan at 10-20 years.
Despite this, EVs haven’t been in the mainstream long enough for a majority of users to consider replacing the batteries (which is extremely expensive, by the way).
Examples of BEVs include all the Tesla models, the Hyundai IONIQ 5/6, and others.
Cars with a Hybrid system (HEV) aim to make electrification more accessible. It is considered a convenient bridge for users who want certain benefits of using an EV, but cannot fully commit to the compromises that come with it.
Instead of fully relying on an electric motor, HEVs carry a lower-powered iteration alongside a conventional gasoline engine. Both of these powerplants work hand-in-hand to propel the vehicle forward. Since there is an electric powertrain within the vehicle to provide some assistance, there is no need to equip the vehicle with a gas-guzzling petrol/diesel engine. A less-thirsty specification can be used to ferry passengers where they need to go.
This translates to fuel savings on the side of the gasoline engine when compared to a vehicle without electric assistance. On the other hand, the electric motor doesn’t get charged via an external power source. The most common method for charging the onboard battery is by converting the kinetic energy and heat from braking, then storing it back into the battery. This is called regenerative braking – and it’s an effective system, because what kind of driver doesn’t hit the brakes at some point?
There exist a variety of Hybrid types and systems out there. Some hybrid vehicles are capable of driving solely on their electric motors (thus turning them into EVs) for short periods of time. Meanwhile, some manufacturers produce “Mild Hybrids,” which cannot perform this function. This is usually because the electric motor installed is too weak to pull the car’s weight by itself. In these situations, these “Mild” options usually contribute minimal engine assistance or other features like electric start-stop.
HEVs have become the most attractive choice due to their fuel efficiency advantages, without suffering from “Range Anxiety.” Sure, it still emits SOME carbon gases into the world – but at least you can gas it up anywhere you’d like.
A popular point of contention in the Philippines right now is whether or not Mild Hybrids should also be exempted from number coding laws. One side argues that a hybrid is a hybrid, while the opposition debates that the “EV” components of a mild hybrid are too negligible to consider. Even to this day, this remains a hot topic.
Examples of Series-Parallel HEVs include the Toyota Altis Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, GWM Havial Jolion, and others.
Meanwhile, some notable Mild Hybrid vehicles you may recognize include the Mazda CX-60/90, Geely Okavango, and the Suzuki Ertiga Hybrid.
Good question!
There is, but they’re not as common. This variant is dubbed the “Plug-In Hybrid” or PHEV for short.
They’re designed in such a way that the gasoline engine can carry the weight by itself, and so can the electric motor/battery onboard. Of course, they’re stronger together, but can operate independently in a practical fashion. The electric battery onboard usually has a more considerable range (50-100km) compared to a regular Hybrid in EV mode.
They seem to be identical, until you consider the fact that the battery in a PHEV can only be recharged via external sources (like a BEV). Once the battery runs out of juice, the vehicle will operate like a run-of-the-mill internal-combustion gas burner until you reach another power source. Sure, it can also make use of regenerative braking, but the energy return to the battery here is like squeezing a dropper into a well.
Examples sold in the country include the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro, and BAIC B30e Dune.
With all things considered, these are the types of usage profiles we envision with the following:
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) – If you have a structured commute schedule within the city, and rarely go on trips to remote areas without charging stations. You are very particular about the carbon emissions of your ride, and you possibly have an extra vehicle to use for other scenarios. Your workplace or areas you frequent are BEV-friendly.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) – You want to help out the environment, but not at the expense of dealing with Range Anxiety. You frequent areas that require a lot of driving, which means that the fuel savings will surely help, but some of these places only have fuel stations. You’re willing to splurge a bit more to acquire the Hybrid variant (when conventional-engine options are available, the HEV is usually the most expensive by 10-20%). This is your only vehicle and you could use the coding exemption (and don’t want to be questioned on it).
Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle – You want an HEV, but the vehicle you’re eyeing doesn’t have a full-on Hybrid option. You’re willing to forego slightly more fuel savings and possible coding exemption debates with the enforcers if it means buying this model.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) – You often go on shorter drives which only makes use of the electric motor and nothing else. Your commutes are 75-90% within battery power range. To you, the gasoline engine is only a backup option for infrequent longer trips. You’re willing to splurge a bit more to feel like you drive a BEV most of the time, with a backup gasoline engine to save you in unforeseen situations.
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aeraf says:
Good article explaining differences between BEV and Hybrid systems. I wonder why it fails to mention BYD which is the top PHEV car manufacturer.
Danilo Cruz says:
Pls commentbon the nisssn kicks e-power vehicle. Is it uniquely
designed snd reliable technology?
Nathan Reyes says:
Hi AERAF! We are merely citing examples, but yes, BYD is a well-known manufacturer of vehicles in these categories as well.
Mike G says:
I believe the better PHEVs are capable of charging their batteries with the gasoline engine – just like any full hybrid.