Hybrid vs. Electric vs. Plug-In Hybrid - What's the Difference? Which Is Best for You?

Best Electric Vehicles for 2020 edmu.in/2DqJ1EW
Best Hybrid Cars for 2020 edmu.in/31Qqf2W
9 Steps to Easier Plug-In Car Shopping edmu.in/2EODuZi
What is a hybrid? What is an electric vehicle? What is a plug-in hybrid? In this video, Dan Edmunds walks you through each type of vehicle - hybrid, EV and PHEV - and goes over the pros and cons of each to help you decide which is the right car for your lifestyle.
The Pros and Cons of EV Ownership edmu.in/3lBRQge
The True Cost of Powering an Electric Car edmu.in/32IP7c8
#Hybrid #EV
Intro 00:00
What is electrification 01:11
What is a kilowatt hour (kWh) 02:27
Electric vehicles (EVs) 04:52
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) 08:30
Hybrids 11:11
Conclusion 13:14

[@edmundscars]

Are there other automotive technologies you'd like to see explained this way? See our Best Electric Vehicles for 2020 (edmu.in/2DqJ1EW) and our Best Hybrid Cars for 2020 (edmu.in/31Qqf2W)

[@GHinWI]

Edmunds : a similar technical discussion on tires would be great.

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

Hydrogen please both fuel cells and internal combustion.

[@GreenBlueWalkthrough]

@@GHinWI And different fuel refinements like unleaded, premium and octane even diesel too.

[@craigmiller6828]

To date, we have leased three Chevy Volts. I agree with your analysis of plug-in hybrids. We installed 240 charging at our shop and had 120 at home. Our first was a '13 I leased after I wrecked a sick-fast car I built. I told my wife, I was punishing myself with "three years in the penalty box". Turned out, I loved the car. Our last, and best, was a loaded '17 premium with excellent adaptive cruise control. My wife gave up the keys to her 12-second 2016 SRT Magnum to take that fob from me. We regularly got over 60-miles in range in town with a record of 65. I attribute our extended range to adapting our driving habits to electric efficiency. If you are a "track day" kind of person you develop performance driving skills. I used the same effort to develop electric-car driving skills. The Volt was my wife's daily driver used mostly for around town. We bought gas so seldom the gas motor would come on periodically just to burn some gas getting stale in the tank. But, here was the shocker to me. The Volt was an amazingly good highway car and a good handler. We made numerous trips, like from our home in Las Vegas to San Francisco. The '17 was the best on the road and it was not unusual to get 40 MPG on regular with that car. Another plus, even with tires designed for low rolling residence, the car cornered really well because of the low center of gravity from the battery mass being mounted low in the chassis. We tried to lease a loaded '19 Volt premium when our '17 lease was up. (BTW, leasing these cars are a great option because the leasing company gets the government rebate and payments are very affordable), but we couldn't find one equipped the way we wanted. So I bought her a little gas-powered fun car. Before the Volts, for the past 30-years, we have only bought or leased gas-powered performance cars. Some of them were ridiculous in retrospect. My wife and I currently drive a modest gas sports sedan and sports car. We are waiting for a pure electric or a plug-in hybrid that speaks to us. So far nothing has. Let's see what 2021 brings. As much as I like the rumble of gas power, electricity is the future of transportation. The fact they are so fricking fast, is a bonus.

[@attilaattila1656]

Why didn’t Edmunds test the long range Model S or Long range Model Y? Just performance editions? Tesla would have topped the lists (like the long range model 3

[@teslamr7333]

If 99.9% of my teachers in school taught like Dan, I might of actually learned something!

[@Relem_13]

You said it all mate!

[@omarfernandez8576]

Please. You probably would have dismissed him like you did your teachers.

[@oldcountryman2795]

Yes, you might *have.*

[@cryosapien4607]

Really? It’d take all that just for you to learn something?

[@lucaskook9440]

soooo you had at least 1000 teachers? man for how long did you fail? or how do you know its 1 in a thousand that teach like dan?

[@ilina1320]

I am in the market for my first car purchase, and want it to be a plug-in hybrid. I cannot express how helpful this video is. Detailed yet succinct and accessible, and so polished and well edited. I feel like I actually understand some of the basics surrounding EVs now. Thank you so much!

[@exponentgull3910]

Same. I'm gonna get the 2022 prius prime on my 24th bday

[@miguelreyes9412]

Finally I’ve been searching for a video that explains this topic now that more phev and EV are on the market! None explained it as clearly as you! Thank you. You got yourself a new subscriber

[@xavierkoolat6926]

Me, too !!!

[@adielveras]

This is an instructional video! 👏🏻👏🏻

[@zogzog1063]

I'm having a panic attack. I fear I actually understand the the topic. Thank you Edmunds before I pass ou

[@Musical_Magpie]

Finally a clear and simple explanation of the difference between EVs, HEVs, and PHEVs that even a 70-year old grandma can understand! Thank you so much.

[@someoneelse.2252]

Much appreciation from Canada for simplifying the differences . Thumbs up and subscribed.

[@Leon6584]

ATTENTION: If you buy a plug-in hybrid you have to remember to use the engine part of it. If you find yourself using the battery and only the battery your engine could just stop working. It needs to cycle the oil. Also gasoline does expire. I saw a video of a mechanic who said the owners only drove it to work which was within battery range only for the engine to simply stop working because it was never used.

[@Musings-From-Mike]

The combination of being retired, and the pandemic, and my Kia Niro PHEV was hardly used. When it was used, it was always for less than the EV range available with a full battery. I forced the hybrid mode at the half way point of most of my trips so that the engine would run. And I keep "Sta-Bil" in the tank when I do a rare fill-up.

[@johnpasqua9416]

Thank you for the clear distinction between the three types of EV’s

[@tanayajagtap1282]

This simplified the terms soooo muchhh!! Literally a SAVIOR !

[@kathyfann]

I have an EV I love it. It’s a Nissan leaf plus it’s 250 miles range. And now I want to add a plug in Highbred so I can go to my favorite places on the Ocean, without charging because that takes a while.

[@jchepito84]

How long does it take to charge your Nissan Leaf ?

[@lazziebardakos2956]

Never have I seen a video that makes more sense. Very informative 👍

[@m...1045]

Thank you for making that switch. Your website has been the go-to non bias breakdown of every make and model car... Cheers Sir!

[@Ansuman54]

Any first time car buyer should definitely watch this. Dan provides just enough information needed for someone to understand the differentiating parameters and not fall to hyped words by brands.

[@ajayjohngeorgedavid]

Really well explained. So thorough yet so brief and concise.Take a bow!

[@luism773]

I went to school for business but your video made me remember why I love engineering so much more. 😮

[@CCobraProductions]

The best explanation of electrified vehicles that I have ever heard and seen. Excellent video presentation.

[@Zazza_626]

Loved the simple, and mind opening comparison.

[@newvillagefilms]

I'm glad you addressed charging challenges as it relates to apartment dwellers. Nobody in You Tube that I watched ever talks about this. They assume everyone can install level 2 charging in their home or even plug in an EV or PHEV to a wall outlet. Not everyone lives at home. If I've to plug an EV/PHEV in my apartment, I'd have to use a very long extension cord and plug it in to an outdoor light bulb socket. 🤣😂

[@yleeofgod]

Great explanation! Thank you for the information. I've been wondering whether I should go for PHEV or EV. This video is really helpful and easy to understand. Just ordered Skoda Superb Estate IV. Thank you!

[@jimweidemann8943]

Love the way these three types of cars were explained! Fantastic!

[@CodofWar08]

I’m in the market for a hybrid and have been looking for info all over, this is the first time I’m understanding exactly how they work thank you

[@saukhyadinesh1963]

Really simple & fun way to understand... Thanks Mr. Edmunds.

[@greensahuaro2834]

Any thanks Mr Edmund! That was very imformative!

[@marktranchina2514]

Great video, your explanation was thorough and helpful to understand the differ types of “electrified cars”. Thanks!

[@thomascunningham5483]

Excellent video! ----- KW (kilo-watt) is a unit of electrical power, but KWH (kilo-watt-hour) is a unit of electrical energy. Our power company bills us as cost per KWH used (for example, 10 cents per KWH). If we use 900 KWH in a month, we will be billed $90 = 9000 cents.

[@Peterrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr]

Just a quick question. In PHEV, does the combustion engine charge the battery pack, or the battery pack only charges via decelerating, breaking and pluging in the outlet? Thanks in advance.

[@offords591]

Thank you! I am sharing this with my children, extended family, AND on my Newsfeed💡

[@Alexa-jo4kj]

Thank you so much. I'm trying to buy my first car and I've been pretty overwhelmed with what and how to choose. This video really is helping me narrow it down.

[@plankutonmass4684]

This is was clear and well produced. Thanks!

[@slydog55]

Nice clearly explained. Thank you for taking the time.

[@Lotuslaful]

Very helpful Thank you The number of ads though was stunning!

[@princegwatkins]

Wow! Such a great teacher. Thank you you explaining everything in very relatable terms. My biggest take away is being able to better determine which type of electrified vehicle is better for a persons living and driving situation.

[@Uajd-hb1qs]

Hearing the kWh description was really useful. I’ve been trying to figure out what it meant by “hour”. I definitely feel a hybrid is my next step forward for better fuel economy. Problem is I’m torn between two types. I don’t have the ability to charge at home yet so an EV and PHEV aren’t viable so a standard hybrid would be great. What I’m torn on is the choice of petrol hybrids or diesel hybrids. I do a lot of long distance motorway (highway) driving so I’ve currently got a diesel which serves me great for cruising at high speed. Only thing is using it in town drops my consumption as expected, getting me roughly 56-58mpg compared to 65-66mpg on the long journeys. The only experience I have with hybrids is my dad’s 2 Toyota Yaris hybrids he got after my convincing. Interestingly, he was getting almost the reverse of figures I’m getting currently: 57mpg on the motorway and 62-63mpg in town. From this, I feel a petrol hybrid wouldn’t be viable for someone averaging high speed cruising but a diesel hybrid would give back similar cruising figures without so much of an impact when in town though I haven’t tested this by taking a hybrid for a drive myself. If anyone has experience with hybrids, is this a common problem with petrol hybrids on long, high speed journeys and would a diesel hybrid be a viable replacement for a standard diesel? Any information is greatly appreciated.

[@Fr8car65]

lol

[@Uajd-hb1qs]

@@Fr8car65 I can go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and 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And on.

[@RANRANRAN206]

A great video. Helps to make sense into all of this technical data

[@JerryDLTN]

I wish there were portable add'l battery capacity "suitcases" you could put in or take out of the car depending it you needed more range versus more trunk space, I'd like to see an AWD flex fuel plug in hybrid SUV

[@moman1701a]

Thank you for the update.

[@pablojared]

Finally someone explained me that in regular terms. Thank you so much!!

[@SCfan84]

He got the reason for hybrid fuel economy improvement wrong though. It's mostly because the electric motor allows the engine to operate near peak efficiency all the time by either charging the battery with the engine (allowing it to shut off later) or using the motor to help the engine operate at lower rpms and torque

[@brunogaspar3977]

Very helpful and simple to understand! Thanks

[@BobbyDigital_100]

Wow, excellent video. This is the info that everyone gets confused explained quickly and efficiently. Well done! 👍🏾

[@amberjin831]

Much needed video for a electric car newbie like me! Thank you!

[@KokowaSarunoKuniDesu]

Finally a reviewer who understands that you can't compare gas, PHEV and BEV efficiency with bogus "mpg". Let us now hope that we can propagate the measure of miles per KwH as the obviously sensible metric.

[@firing_reyes]

Excellent job on explaining the difference, Mr. Edmunds!!

[@gregoryross1000]

Informative, clear, engaging video, really useful. Thank you.

[@RChyshkevych]

Finally a good explanation between hybrids and plug in hybrids. Can you go more into detail how hybrids use their energy to he more efficient?

[@Mia-Taylor-Love-Live]

There's another type of hybrid called the series hybrid ( used in Nissan e power). It can achieve instant acceleration and torque like an ev. It has an all electric power train while the ic engine is only used as a generator

[@r.t.hannah9575]

Great video. This has been a huge help!

[@BeeeHonest]

Very clear yet simple, thank you.

[@sophia6297]

Thank you so much!! It's hard to find information about this

[@thangs18]

Best explanation! Keep up the good work sir!

[@NeshiaBonita]

I’m only 4min into the video and it’s so informative! I just subscribed

[@mikedillard207]

Thank You for that video it was educational. For a person like me who lives in Connecticut, is seriously deciding to live (at least for 3 years) in a SUV or Van to save $$$ because the price of housing is just getting too too expensive. Your video has helped me make the decision to buy a hybrid vehicle (not a plug-in hybrid) instead of a vehicle that has a all gasoline engine. Keep making these videos.

[@chunyuenlau56]

Great video! It's clear to me now the diff between the 3 types of cars. Thanks heaps!

[@upclosevideo]

Thanks for this simple and very well explained assessment 👌

[@easinarafat9809]

Thank you very much for your kind information. Love from Bangladesh ❤❤

[@litakurnia5899]

Wow thank you for your explanation. It's easy to understand the differences in practical ways!

[@hosseinpourakbar9564]

Very professional and complete explanation. Thanks, sir!

[@quangthien2004]

thank you 4 clearing things out. now that i understand more about these technologies

[@akaunderdog4223]

Who created all these animations? damn, good job. The host too, well explained video. subbed

[@Alaktronification]

Thanks. Great explanation.I just rented a Hybrid and was really impressed with its fuel consumption. The explanation was perfect to explain the difference between that and a plug in hybrid.

[@kylev.1163]

This is a great video. Why doesn't this have more views? I thought I wanted a full Electric Vehicle before competition heated up and availability deplenished, but this video clarifies just how much i underestimated PHEV capabilities. As a family man, my wife isn't as comfortable as I am to make the switch to EV due to limited charging stations at destinations which we frequent. PHEVs sound like would really fix that issue. My only issue is maintenance cost. In theory, when you run out of warranty, its probably going to be pretty expensive to repair certain aspects of a PHEV given they have essentially 2 different drivetrains.

[@jacobjose2539]

Fantastic and very clear and specific explanation. Thank you very much

[@8milestocandy]

Super clear and helpful. Thanks!

[@Tonycrossfit]

Excellent video and very informative. I own a Hyundai IONIQ Hybrid and love it! I’m very happy with it but I’m thinking about going with PHEV. I mostly use my car in town but I’ve taken longer trips as well. The car gets about 49 mpg on the high way when I’m going 80 miles. In town I get 58 mpg. The reason I wanna go to a PHEV is to get away from wasting gas and using more of the battery.

[@judefernando1698]

well explained. good job Dan!!

[@turdbomitch9007]

Once you understand W and kW well enough, you mite as well fully switch over the the metric system america. It basically operates exactly the same. Easy to understand and follow.

[@heaval1]

There are only 3 countries in the world that don’t use officially the international metric system: Iceland, Philippines and……. USA !!! :-)

[@cavalli821]

Great video! Thank for you sharing your knowledge :)

[@renataharcarikova6823]

Amazingly explained, thank you!

[@bribrycanedo1040]

Thank you very much for the explanation! Very informative!

[@eddyeddy2887]

Wow. Thank you very much Edmund . Very informative and very useful informatiion. Sincerley appreciate it.

[@serenefrost7219]

Wooow, I was totally lost on what I should go for when buying a new electric/hybrid car. This video really helped me determine which would be best for me (thinking a PHEV). Not taking a BEV from Pennsylvania to Ontario any time soon haha. Thanks for the amazing explanations!

[@firie6814]

Thank you for this! Really helpful!

[@organicgigilau]

Thanks for the great explanation!

[@christopherbellboy25252]

Thanks for the great explanation 👍🏾

[@bradli3460]

Sorry it took so long to find this video. Exceptional information explained at the level I would use, with support, in my grade 7 science classroom, to explain these differences. Fantastic!

[@maxheadroom6833]

Brilliant, informative video. Contemplating getting an electric based car and needed help in things being explained, which this did brilliantly. Thank you

[@s.t.r.o.i.x]

Nice work!

[@vladotaso5915]

Very well explained, thanks for that 😀👏👍

[@LaunchPadMcQuack4Hire]

This was so helpful! The single most informative video I’ve seen on this topic! Thanks!!!

[@youareawesome8]

Wow. The best simple explanation that I understand. Thank you for all your info. 😃😃

[@lamorenitastar]

Thankful to find this video since I'm going back into the market as my family has grown, and I wanted to get clarity on all the electric options.

[@Kumar-jc3bu]

Love your knowledge delivery.

[@enderdavila2910]

hi, really good info. thanks for sharing.

[@ChrisBrengel]

Great video! Thanks! 12:31 "Do not attempt to power a Prius with AA or AAA batteries." LOL! My friend has a Prius--I'm going to send her the link!

[@santyhejmadi]

Brilliant and clearing presentation!

[@davidcunningham7432]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@shaun1552]

Thanks for the video and insight into electric vehicles, this has provided clarity for me! I prefer the Hybrid, as long as they're available (I feel a move to fully electric vehicles for the future of the motor industry), as I wouldn't want the hassle to plug the car in on numerous occasions to charge but if I could also save a bit of fuel by using a bit of battery juice from breaking to start me off then that would be ideal!

[@joeogbonnaya8220]

Very well broken down. I thank you 🙏🏽👍🏽

[@netsanetwtensae2761]

Informative video 👍 just subscribed

[@charlieg.6242]

Fantastic explanation of the three different types of electric assisted vehicles. Thank you.

[@GrotrianSeiler]

Excellent video. Well done.

[@morkanz6998]

Simply loved it, thank you Professor

[@johnkinsfather64]

Good explanation and clarity.

[@medicalstudybuddy2964]

Finally someone explains it properly!! Thank you!!❤❤

[@MsChestnutter1]

Good video helped clear alot of stuff

[@Rainbient]

Awesome explanation!!

[@bill7481]

Thanks for the explanation!

[@martic5951]

This was great. Thanks!