The era of the fully or partially electrified vehicle is here. The evolving technologies are still new enough to be relatively unfamiliar. Our team at Hallmark Hyundai North near Canton, MS demystifies EV, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid (PHEV), with examples of each from our inventory.
What Is an EV?
EV stands for electric vehicle. The Hyundai Kona and Ioniq 5, both SUVs, are examples of EVs, fully electrified vehicles. EVs derive power from a rechargeable battery and a motor. The battery is like a gas tank, and the motor is like an engine. The battery powers the motor, and the motor turns the wheels, conveying you between destinations in Ridgeland, MS.
The Hyundai Nexo is another type of EV. It contains a special fuel cell. Hydrogen and oxygen pass through the fuel cell stack, sparking electricity via a chemical reaction. Perfectly harmless water is the only emission, keeping the air around Clinton, MS cleaner.
Deceleration and regenerative braking recharge an EV battery to some extent. EV car batteries require the bulk of their charging via public charging points on the grid around Florence, MS, or, in many cases, via outlets in your home. EVs may have more than one motor depending on the drivetrain: one motor on the rear axle for rear-wheel drive or a motor on the front and rear axles for all-wheel drive.
What Is a Hybrid?
A hybrid vehicle combines an internal combustion engine (ICE), a gas tank, a rechargeable battery, and one or more motors. Popular examples of hybrid vehicles from the Hyundai inventory at our dealership near Vicksburg, MS include the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Hyundai Tucson. Some hybrids run on electricity primarily, the ICE kicking in after battery depletion.
There are also hybrids that do the opposite, running on gas first and then electricity. Other hybrids use a mix of both energy sources. Hybrids typically have smaller engines thanks to their dual power sources. They don't recharge through home outlets or at charging points on a grid. Rather, the battery gets recharged through ICE activity and regenerative braking as you commute around Ridgeland, MS.
What Is a Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)?
PHEVs work just like hybrids except you can recharge them by plugging them into a public charging point or a wall outlet. In fact, there are PHEV versions of both the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Hyundai Tucson. Like a hybrid, PHEV batteries also get charged by the ICE, regenerative braking, or special charging equipment.
