Full EVs may be getting all the news, but plug-in hybrids (or PHEVs) offer a variety of benefits.
Available as sedans, crossover/SUVs, minivan, and wagons, PHEVs can operate on only the engine, only the battery, or both together for optimal efficiency and/or added performance.
Plug-in hybrids. The best of both worlds.
Officially called plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), but more commonly just “plug-ins”, they essentially operate like they have two motors—one runs on electric power, and one on gas. You can opt to use one, or the other, or both. Here's more detail on how they work.
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PHEVs |
HEVs |
|
Motor |
Uses a combo of both gas and electric |
Uses a combo of both gas and electric |
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EV mode |
15-40 miles (depending on model) before gas motor kicks in |
1-2 miles (depending on model) before gas motor kicks in |
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Driving |
Provides drivers ability to choose whether to run on gas, electric, or both† |
Some models allow ability to choose whether to run on gas, electric, or both, but some do not |
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Charging |
Can plug in, leverage regenerative braking and/or draw excess power from gasoline engine |
Never plug in; can leverage regenerative braking and/or draw excess power from gasoline engine |
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Battery |
Larger battery with more EV power and higher weight |
Smaller battery with less EV power and lower weight |
As noted, PHEVs provide drivers the ability to choose whether to run on gas, electric, or both. If you're not into guesswork though, you're in the clear—all PHEVs feature software to optimize which power source you use to provide the most efficient driving.
A PHEV truly is the best of both worlds. With the benefits of an electric vehicle for short trips near home and the perks of a gas-powered engine for driving farther, you've got your bases covered. This means you can commute or run daily errands using only electric power, plus take a road trip to see family without concern for charging station.
Pros
Cons
If you're looking for a deeper comparison of compare hybrid, electric, and gas, explore fuel types & powertrains to learn more about the engine choices for your next vehicle.
If you typically drive 15-40 miles per day, you should consider a PHEV as they provide you the experience of driving an EV but with the fallback of a gasoline engine. Most PHEVs can fully recharge from a standard 120V wall-socket in 6-8 hours, so if you plug-in at home each night you will have a full charge by morning.
Helpful Tip: Even if you can get away with electric-only use, it is wise to use the gasoline engine from time to time to keep it operating smoothly. Plus, the gasoline engine can provide additional heat to warm the car in colder climates.
With the proper cable (typically included with the car), you can plug into a common 120V power outlet and get 3-5 miles of range per hour charged.
If you want a faster charge you can explore upgrading to a 240V system, which typically provides 10-20 miles of range per hour charged. For any modifications to your home’s power system, consult an electrician to add 240V outlets, installed charging boxes, and ensure your home can support the proper amperage.
Yes, if you and the vehicle you are purchasing meet the IRS’s qualifications. If so, your purchase of that qualified used plug-in hybrid vehicle could enable you to get federal income tax credits of either $4,000 or 30% of the price of the vehicle, whichever amount is less. The Treasury Department has specified the following eligibility requirements:
Additionally, the used credit is only available once per vehicle (so once a used vehicle credit has been claimed on a unique vehicle, that vehicle is no longer eligible for the credit in future sales). You can view the list of qualifying vehicles directly on the Treasury Department’s website. This list is continually updated.
Note: This FAQ is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the qualifications and requirements related to this tax credit. CarMax cannot provide tax advice. Consider consulting an accountant or tax attorney with questions about this tax credit.
Is a plug-in hybrid right for me? Is it worth buying a PHEV?
With the proper cable (typically included with the car), you can plug into a common 120V power outlet and get 3-5 miles of range per hour charged.
If you want a faster charge you can explore upgrading to a 240V system, which typically provides 10-20 miles of range per hour charged. For any modifications to your home’s power system, consult an electrician to add 240V outlets, installed charging boxes, and ensure your home can support the proper amperage.
Yes, if you and the vehicle you are purchasing meet the IRS’s qualifications. If so, your purchase of that qualified used plug-in hybrid vehicle could enable you to get federal income tax credits of either $4,000 or 30% of the price of the vehicle, whichever amount is less. The Treasury Department has specified the following eligibility requirements:
Additionally, the used credit is only available once per vehicle (so once a used vehicle credit has been claimed on a unique vehicle, that vehicle is no longer eligible for the credit in future sales). You can view the list of qualifying vehicles directly on the Treasury Department’s website. This list is continually updated.
Note: This FAQ is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the qualifications and requirements related to this tax credit. CarMax cannot provide tax advice. Consider consulting an accountant or tax attorney with questions about this tax credit.
You can charge your PHEV at home or on the road with a few options:
Standard home wall outlet (known as Level 1 charging): a common 120V power outlet provides about 3-5 miles of range per hour charged. A good practice of many PHEV owners is to charge overnight, where you can achieve a 30-mile range in 6-8 hours, allowing you to start your day with a full battery.
Upgraded home wall outlet + charging box (known as Level 2 charging): a conventional 240V power outlet—like one your washing machine uses—provides power at a faster 10-20 miles of range per hour charged. You will need a charging regulator box to protect the vehicle against things like power surges, which can cost $500-$1000+ before installation. For any modifications to your home’s power system, consult an electrician to add 240V outlets and ensure your home can support the proper amperage.
PHEVs have low relative EV-only range because most drivers only drive 10-20 miles per day. A plug-in hybrid allows owners to handle daily tasks like commuting or errands using just the battery, but allows for long driving and road trips without concern for charging stations.
Public chargers (also known as Level 2 charging): public chargers can also be used on PHEVs, though you should evaluate if the cost is justified—because the price of charging at public chargers varies, and it may be cheaper to simply use the gasoline already in your car.
Most PHEVs do not support direct current fast charging (also known as Level 3 charging); that would be like trying to fill a small bucket with a fire hose.
You do not necessarily have to plug-in a PHEV*, though it provides the most efficient charging source. The battery can recharge by drawing power from the engine or leveraging regenerative braking.
* Some PHEVs, like the Audi Q5 Plug-in Hybrid, do require plugging in to fully recharge their battery.
All manufacturers call them plug-in hybrids, though some manufacturers add additional branding to their models:
* Prior to 2020, Volvo labeled their PHEVs as ‘T8 twin-charge’ models, so you may see different names used depending on year; also, the Volvo XC40 Recharge is a fully-electric vehicle, not a plug-in hybrid, so that one is an exception.
The three most common charging plugs that have been offered on BEVs and PHEVs are as follows:
The CCS, NACS, and CHAdeMO all support DC fast charging; however, when using a public fast charger you’ll need to find one that has the appropriate plug for your vehicle.
Yes, if you and the vehicle you are purchasing meet the IRS’s qualifications. If so, your purchase of that qualified used plug-in hybrid vehicle could enable you to get federal income tax credits of either $4,000 or 30% of the price of the vehicle, whichever amount is less. The Treasury Department has specified the following eligibility requirements:
Additionally, the used credit is only available once per vehicle (so once a used vehicle credit has been claimed on a unique vehicle, that vehicle is no longer eligible for the credit in future sales). You can view the list of qualifying vehicles directly on the Treasury Department’s website. This list is continually updated.
Note: This FAQ is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the qualifications and requirements related to this tax credit. CarMax cannot provide tax advice. Consider consulting an accountant or tax attorney with questions about this tax credit.
PHEVs have low relative EV-only range because most drivers only drive 10-20 miles per day. A plug-in hybrid allows owners to handle daily tasks like commuting or errands using just the battery, but allows for long driving and road trips without concern for charging stations.
You do not necessarily have to plug-in a PHEV*, though it provides the most efficient charging source. The battery can recharge by drawing power from the engine or leveraging regenerative braking.
* Some PHEVs, like the Audi Q5 Plug-in Hybrid, do require plugging in to fully recharge their battery.
All manufacturers call them plug-in hybrids, though some manufacturers add additional branding to their models: Ford uses ‘Energi’, such as the Ford Fusion Energi
Jeep uses ‘4xe’, like the Jeep Wrangler 4xe
Toyota uses ‘Prime’, like the Toyota Prius Prime
Volvo uses ‘Recharge’*, such as the Volvo S60 Recharge
* Prior to 2020, Volvo labeled their PHEVs as ‘T8 twin-charge’ models, so you may see different names used depending on year; also, the Volvo XC40 Recharge is a fully-electric vehicle, not a plug-in hybrid, so that one is an exception.
The three most common charging plugs that have been offered on BEVs and PHEVs are as follows:
The CCS, NACS, and CHAdeMO all support DC fast charging; however, when using a public fast charger you’ll need to find one that has the appropriate plug for your vehicle.
Energy must be used to get any vehicle up to speed, and typically that energy comes from either a fuel source or battery pack in your car.
With a traditional braking system, pushing your foot on the pedal triggers the brake components to compress together, creating resistance to slow your vehicle's wheels. Any energy you had used to get up to speed is then lost as heat.
With a regenerative braking system, your wheels are connected to a motor that recaptures some of the energy used to get your vehicle up to speed, which is then converted back to stored power in the battery—hence the name 'regenerative'.
Most electric vehicles, including full EVs, HEVs, and PHEVs, feature both braking systems and allow you to select whether to use both or only regenerative braking. Because most regenerative braking systems kick in immediately after releasing your accelerator pedal (no need to apply the brake pedal) you can drive while using your traditional brakes significantly less often; this is commonly called one-pedal driving.