Understanding the Difference Between Electric Vehicles and Hybrid Vehicles
Hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles… There has been a proliferation of electrified vehicles on the market recently. It can be a bit difficult, however, to understand the difference between all of these types of electrified powertrains and more importantly, many consumers wonder which option is right for them.
The good news is that Volvo offers one of the most comprehensive lineups of electrified luxury vehicles in the automotive industry. Every Volvo vehicle is offered with either a plug-in hybrid powertrain or an electric powertrain. That means that once you’ve determined which type of vehicle and powertrain is right for you, there will be no shortage of options when you visit Volvo Cars St-Leonard. In order to help you better understand the differences between a plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, we thought we would first begin by describing each type of vehicle and its benefits.
Hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles
Hybrid vehicles are vehicles that feature an electric motor and battery paired to a traditional gas engine. In other words, hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles have a gas engine but they also have an electric motor which is powered by a battery. Hybrid vehicles have a smaller battery than plug-in hybrid vehicles which means that the vehicle cannot function on electric power alone. The electric motor can help the gas engine with certain functions such as starting the engine or accelerations, but it cannot power the vehicle on its own.
A plug-in hybrid vehicle or PHEV also has a gas engine, an electric motor, and a battery. Still, the battery is a lot larger, and it has sufficient power to allow the plug-in hybrid vehicle to move on electric power alone without using a single drop of fuel.
A Full Lineup of Luxury Volvo Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles
Take for example the 2022 Volvo Recharge vehicle lineup. These vehicles feature an 18.8-kWh battery, and they offer roughly 60 km of all-electric range on average as you can see in the table below.
| Model | Pure Electric Range*^ (km) | Pure Electric Range Improvement (km) | EV Range Increase |
| S60 T8 AWD Recharge | 64 | +29 | 83% |
| S90 T8 AWD Recharge | 61 | +27 | 79% |
| V60 T8 AWD Recharge | 64 | +29 | 83% |
| XC60 T8 AWD Recharge | 58 | +27 | 87% |
| XC90 T8 AWD Recharge | 58 | +29 | 100% |
*NRCAN Estimated
ˆWhen driven in Pure Mode
Your Volvo Recharge plug-in hybrid vehicle can drive a long distance without needing any fuel. The Volvo XC60 Recharge and Volvo XC90 Recharge, for example, can go up to 58 km on the power of the electric batteries exclusively. On the other hand, when the battery is depleted, you can continue driving using the gas engine. The process happens seamlessly so you don't even notice it.
Benefits of Plug-In Hybrid Volvo Vehicles
- Not restricted to battery range
- Can drive longer distances without having to worry about charging the battery
- Exceptional horsepower and performance with 455 hp in every Volvo plug-in hybrid Recharge model
- Possibility of doing daily trips without needing a single drop of fuel
Electric Luxury Vehicles
A fully electric vehicle does not have a gas engine. That is the most significant difference between a plug-in hybrid or hybrid vehicle. Here, you are functioning on battery and electric power alone and of course, the battery has a much higher capacity.
The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge is a fully electric luxury vehicle from Volvo. It features a 78-kWh battery, significantly larger than the battery that you find in the Volvo plug-in hybrid Recharge lineup. This battery can power the XC40 Recharge with 358 km of range, meaning that you can go a lot further without using any fuel.
It takes a bit longer to charge a fully electric vehicle like the XC40 Recharge but the range is a lot higher. And when you drive an electric vehicle, you will never have to worry about putting gas in your vehicle again.
Benefits of Fully Electric Vehicles
- Fully electric vehicles don't require any fuel
- More generous rebates on fully electric vehicles
- Impressive performance thanks to the instant torque of electric motors
- A quieter driving experience
Conclusion
Choosing the right vehicle for you between electric and plug-in hybrid models depends on your needs. Some consumers like to know that they can count on the gas engine and they like the idea of not having to worry about available range or having to charge their vehicle on longer drives. For these consumers, a plug-in hybrid vehicle is the best option.
Other consumers prefer not to have to worry about fuel ever again and they like the unique and exclusive driving experience and added comfort thanks to the quieter cabin of an electric vehicle. Regardless of which type of vehicle you feel is better for you, the 2022 Volvo Recharge lineup has a model for you. Give us a call today to learn more.
