What is the difference between EV and PHEV?

EV or “Electric Vehicle” is a fully electric operated vehicle. EV vehicles or EV cars in India operate primarily on the electronic battery installed in them; other than that, they do not use any natural fuel source to run.

Benefits of EV

• EV vehicles are cost-efficient as they do not require diesel or petrol. Instead, they run on rechargeable batteries, which is more economical for EV owners.

• These vehicles have lower maintenance costs than traditional fuel-operated vehicles. EV vehicles have fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel vehicles.

• EV vehicle engines do not produce any noise while running, unlike petrol or diesel vehicles, which produce noise pollution while moving.

• These vehicles are eco-friendly, as they produce less carbon emissions than traditional petrol and diesel vehicles.

PHEVs or “Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles” are vehicles that operate on both gasoline or diesel engines and electric battery-operated motors. The electric motor of the PHEV is rechargeable and can work solely and together with the gasoline/petrol engine to run the vehicle.

Benefits of PHEV

• PHEV cars in India provide the flexibility to choose whether you want to drive a vehicle with an electric engine or a gasoline/diesel engine. It is convenient in many ways, as you can choose to switch fuel sources as per the availability of charging and fuel stations.

• These vehicles have lower maintenance costs than fully fuel-operated vehicles. One part of the engine is made of electronic components that have fewer moving parts, and the regenerative braking system reduces the abrasion of the brake system.

• PHEV vehicles consume less fuel in comparison to traditional vehicles; as per your fuel engine consumption, you pay for the cost. Otherwise, you can use the electric engine to run your vehicle with fuel efficiency.

• These vehicles are future-proof as they reduce the dependency on fuel consumption for running the vehicle.

Know More: What is Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)

Here is a list of differences between an Electric Car and Plug-in Hybrid Car based on various parameters:

Driving Range

PHEV cars have better driving range than pure Electric vehicles. As PHEVs use two sources to run the vehicle, you can switch between a fuel engine or an electric engine as per your suitability.

On the other hand, EV cars run purely on battery-operated electric engines that can affect the driving experience for various individuals. Running an EV to its full potential can exhaust the battery more frequently, which sometimes leads to range anxiety for drivers.

Fuel Consumption Cost

In PHEV vehicles, the cost of fuel consumption depends on the owner's usage of engine type. If they are using the gasoline or diesel engines of vehicles more frequently, then the advantage of PHEV will be minimised, and they will incur more fuel consumption costs. Whereas, if they use electric and gasoline/diesel engines simultaneously the consumption cost will be cut down.

The EV vehicles are an advantage here, as they run solely on electricity. There is no need to worry about gasoline/diesel price fluctuations, and as the electricity prices are mostly stable, the cost of electricity consumption is predictable.

Maintenance Cost

When it comes to maintenance costs, EV cars are much less expensive. As they have fewer moving parts, that means lower the chances of getting any damage. Thus, EV vehicles require less annual maintenance or regular check-ups.

On the other hand, PHEV in India might incur more maintenance costs. These vehicles have a combination of electric and gasoline/diesel engines, and both of These have their separate mechanics and mechanisms. Thus, the maintenance cost of PHEV depends on the mechanic charges for both engine types.

Buying Cost

The buying cost of a PHEV is relatively more affordable than pure EV vehicles. The reason behind this difference is that EV vehicles' price varies depending on their battery range; the higher the range, the more expensive the EV will be.

On the other hand, PHEV cars have gasoline/diesel engines along with electric ones, and the vehicle can perform well using both engines. It affects the price range of PHEVs and makes them comparatively lower priced than EV cars in India.

Both PHEV cars and EV cars are the future of transportation. They reduce the dependence on fuel for running vehicles and are much more cost-efficient in the long run. Choosing which type of car you want to buy from these two is purely your decision. Just make sure to choose the vehicle which is as per your driving needs, affordability and comfort.

Additionally, buying an EV, PHEV or any other car in India means that you need to follow all the road safety rules. One such rule is that every car owner in India needs to have insurance for a four-wheeler. Having a car insurance policy protects you from any financial loss in the event of any damages or accidents on the road.

Tata AIG car insurance policy provides you with several benefits like cashless damage repairs, third-party damage cover, own damage cover, and several customisable add-ons on the policy.

Moreover, our car insurance calculator provides an estimated quote for your car insurance so that you can plan and compare policies as per your requirements.

What is the difference between EV and hybrid vehicles?

The primary difference between EVs and hybrid vehicles is that hybrid vehicles run on ICE and electric engines. In contrast, EV vehicles run only on battery-operated electric engines.

What are some of the best upcoming PHEV cars in India?

Some of the upcoming PHEV car models in India include Toyota Vellfire, Maruti Invicto, Skoda Enya iV, and Nissan New X-Trail.