There are a variety of electrified vehicles to choose from at our dealership, so now you may be trying to figure out which kind of “green” car you prefer. Which is best for you: a plug-in hybrid or an electric vehicle? The experts at Fields Volvo Cars Northfield can teach you about the differences between an EV and a plug-in hybrid, and which type of car would be best for you.
Plug-in Hybrid
A plug-in hybrid, sometimes called a PHEV, is powered by both gasoline and electricity. It uses a battery pack and one or more electric motors to make the most out of every gallon of gasoline, improving gas mileage and increasing your time between fill-ups.
PHEV models also tend to offer an all-electric driving mode that does not require gasoline at all. Generally, these modes don't offer incredible ranges, but they are suitable for driving around town and running errands.
A PHEV can be plugged in at home or at public charging stations, but their batteries are also recharged through regenerative braking while you’re on the road.
Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles, or EVs, are powered solely by electricity. These models need to be plugged in to charge, just like a plug-in hybrid model would, and aren't going anywhere without at least a partially charged battery.
One primary concern about an EV is its driving range — how far it can travel on a fully-charged battery pack. You’ll want to know how far you can go before you run out of battery or need to stop for a charge. Fortunately, EVs have been developing longer and longer ranges in recent years and charging stations are easier to find than ever. We also want to note that EVs can also require less maintenance than a traditional gasoline-powered car does, primarily thanks to its lack of an internal combustion engine.
If you want to learn more about our selection of green cars, visit our Volvo dealership near Chicago. We would be happy to help you find a new electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle!