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What's the difference between Hybrid and Electric?

Electric and Hybrid vehicles are still relatively new to our roads, and there are still a few misconceptions about how the different powertrains work. Here's a quick comparison:

Mild Hybrid (MHEV)

A Mild Hybrid vehicle combines a traditional engine and an electric motor to increase efficiency. The electric motor cannot solely power the car, but instead assists the engine to deliver a more efficient journey.

Hybrid (HEV)

A Hybrid vehicle switches between the fuel engine and electric motor automatically to suit the driving conditions. A Hybrid vehicle does not need to be plugged in because the battery is recharged by processes such as regenerative braking.

Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

A Plug-in Hybrid vehicle features a fuel engine and an electric motor, with the latter able to power the car on its own so that shorter journeys can be carried out on zero emissions. A Plug-in Hybrid vehicle needs to be plugged in to recharge the battery, which can be done at home or on-the-go at one of the many public charging points across the UK.

All-Electric (BEV)

An All-Electric car only features an electric motor and releases zero emissions on every journey. Instead of topping up with fuel, an All-Electric vehicle uses electricity to run and therefore needs to be plugged in to charge up.

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