TRAVEL | Electric Vehicles are Confusing. What is the Difference Between Pure, Hybrid and Mild Hybrid?

Pure electric means your car or van is 100% powered by an electric battery which you will need to charge, and journeys will not produce emissions.

A Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) means the vehicle has both an electric battery and a combustion engine, and it can be charged. Although your electric motor will not be able to power your car with electric-only power much further than 30 miles (depending on the model). Ask about the electric-only range when exploring options as some are very low. This vehicle does produce emissions unless you are using electric-only power for a short journey.

A Mild Hybrid (MHEV) doesn’t support charging. It is only fuelled with petrol or diesel and the electric motor is only used to support the combustion engine during acceleration and cruising; the electric motor can’t power the car. This vehicle produces emissions.