Hybrid vs PHEV vs. Nissan Electric Cars
Electric cars seem to be everywhere nowadays, and with them comes an entirely different way of getting where we need to go. Having the flexibility to power your vehicle entirely on electricity is certainly appealing, but drivers may still be hesitant to make the switch. All these new powertrains can be confusing, so we’re here to set the record straight.
What Is a Hybrid Car?
A hybrid car, like the discontinued Nissan Altima Hybrid, is any vehicle that utilizes an internal combustion engine in tandem with one or more electric motors. While the gas engine is driving the vehicle, it’s also charging a battery pack, so the vehicle is also capable of traveling partially on electricity. Additional charge is also captured through these vehicles’ regenerative braking systems.
- Advantage: hybrids boast longer range than vehicles running on gas or electricity alone.
- Disadvantage: Still uses an engine, and still produces emissions as a result.
What Is a Plug-In Hybrid Car?
A plug-in hybrid vehicle, or PHEV, is identical to a standard hybrid in many respects. However, there’s one very important distinction between them: besides engine charging and regenerative braking, a plug-in hybrid vehicle can be plugged directly into a 120V or 240V outlet to charge.
They also utilize both an electric motor as well as a fuel-powered engine, only this time the battery pack is charged primarily via a power outlet rather than being charged by the gas engine.
- Advantage: PHEVs are capable of better all-electric range than hybrids, allowing them to operate identically to EVs for short distances.
- Disadvantage: Still produces emissions.
What are Electric Vehicles?
No engine? No problem. Like a PHEV, an electric vehicle (EV) simply plugs in to charge.
The difference, however, is that the battery pack is much larger, owing to the absence of a gas engine. A vehicle like the Nissan LEAF can be charged on the outlet types mentioned earlier but is also capable of DC fast charging that brings the battery to full capacity much faster.
- Advantage: zero emissions, zero trips to the gas station, and much lower maintenance than comparable gas-powered vehicles.
- Disadvantage: Longer trips require a bit of advance planning to account for charger locations and charging times.
Buy or Lease an Innovative Nissan EV Today
Besides the Nissan LEAF, more EVs like the Nissan Ariya crossover are on their way to Woodhouse Nissan Bellevue. For answers to any questions you may have, pre-orders, or Nissan financing, we encourage you to visit us.
