Hybrid Vehicle Comparison: Mild Hybrid vs Hybrid vs Plug-In Hybrid

Although they sound similar, there’s a big difference between electric vehicles and electrified vehicles.

According to J.D. Power and Associates, electrified vehicles have an internal combustion engine as well as an electric motor. This is the category that mild hybrids, PHEVs, and hybrids are in. 

Electric cars, trucks, and SUVs only have an electric motor and rely entirely on electricity for driving. They do not have an internal combustion engine. These vehicles always need to be recharged because they don’t have a gas engine for backup.

Now, let’s take a look at the differences between mild hybrids, hybrids, and PHEVs.

Mild hybrid vehicles, sometimes also known as MHEVs, have a traditional internal combustion engine as well as a small battery and electric motor. The battery in mild hybrid cars and SUVs isn’t strong enough to power the vehicle on its own. Rather, the battery supports the gas engine to reduce how hard it has to work. 

The battery is recharged through regenerative braking, which converts the energy from slowing or stopping a car. 

The benefits of a mild hybrid SUV or car include improved fuel efficiency, reduced carbon dioxide emissions, and enhanced performance. J.D. Power and Associates notes that an MHEV system can improve fuel efficiency by up to 20% compared to a gas-only engine.

Hybrid vehicles (HEVs) are similar to mild hybrid cars and SUVs but have a bigger battery and stronger electric motor. Hybrid vehicles don’t need to be plugged in because the battery is recharged through regenerative braking. 

The gas engine is the primary power source for HEVs, but these cars and SUVs can run solely on electricity for short distances and at lower speeds. 

Hybrid vehicles also provide improved fuel efficiency and performance. The assistance of electricity allows the system to provide more acceleration and power without the need for extra gas.

A plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) also has both a gas engine and an electric engine. The difference between a mild hybrid, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid vehicle is that PHEVs have much larger batteries and more powerful electric motors. This allows PHEV SUVs, cars, and trucks to drive further distances using just electricity. When the electricity runs out, the gas engine takes over so you can continue your journey. 

Some PHEV SUVs and cars are designed to use as much electric power as possible between switching to gas, and others use both gas and electricity to power the vehicle as long as the battery has a charge.

Although plug-in hybrids do use regenerative braking, the battery can be fully recharged by plugging it into an outlet or charging station (as the name suggests). PHEVs can be charged via Level 1 or Level 2 charging. With Level 1, you plug the vehicle into a 120-volt outlet, which is the same outlet that’s used to charge most electronics. Level 2 charger uses a 240-volt outlet. It provides a quicker charge, but you’ll likely need to have this type of outlet installed if you want to charge your PHEV SUV or car at home.

Like the others, plug-in hybrids have the benefit of increased performance and fuel efficiency.