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EV vs Hybrid Guide

Electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or mild hybrid? Discover the differences between EV, HEV, PHEV and MHEV cars and which could suit your driving.

Electric, hybrid or plug-in hybrid: what's the difference?

If you're thinking about your next car, you've probably come across terms like EV, hybrid, self-charging hybrid, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid.

But what do they actually mean - and which could be right for you?

Electric and hybrid vehicles both use electric power, but the way they work and the way you use them can be very different.

The Gravells EV vs Hybrid Guide breaks down the different types of electrified cars, how they're powered and what you should consider when deciding which is best suited to your lifestyle.

Powertrains at a glance

Not sure what all the different terms mean? Here’s the simplest way to understand the main electric and hybrid powertrains before we take a closer look.

Electric (EV)

100% electric. No petrol engine.

  • Powered entirely by a battery and electric motor

  • Plugs in to recharge

  • No tailpipe emissions while driving

  • Can be charged at home or using public EV chargers

  • Smooth, quiet and responsive to drive

Best to know: You'll need to consider where and how you'll regularly charge.

Full Hybrid (HEV)

Petrol and electric power, without plugging in.

  • Combines a petrol engine with an electric motor and battery

  • Can drive using electric power alone for short periods

  • Automatically switches between petrol and electric power

  • Battery replenishes while driving, including through regenerative braking

  • No need to plug into a charger

Best to know: A straightforward introduction to electrified driving if you don't want to charge your car.

Mild Hybrid (MHEV)

A petrol engine with electric assistance.

  • Uses a small battery and electric system to support the petrol engine

  • Electrical assistance can help improve efficiency

  • Battery replenishes automatically while driving

  • Doesn't need to be plugged in

  • Driving and refuelling remains similar to a conventional petrol car

Best to know: The electric system assists the engine rather than providing the electric driving experience of a full hybrid or EV.

Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)

Electric driving with a petrol engine for added flexibility.

  • Combines a petrol engine with an electric motor and larger battery

  • Plugs in to recharge

  • Can complete journeys using electric power alone

  • Petrol engine remains available for longer journeys

  • Regular charging helps you get the most from its electric capability

Best to know: Particularly worth considering if you can charge regularly and many of your everyday journeys fit within the vehicle's electric range.

EV vs Hybrid – what's the difference?

The biggest difference is how much each vehicle relies on electricity.

A fully electric car has no petrol engine and runs entirely on electricity stored in its battery.

A full or mild hybrid still uses petrol but adds electric technology to improve efficiency. Neither needs to be plugged in.

A plug-in hybrid sits between the two, offering a larger battery that can be charged externally and used for electric-only journeys, while retaining a petrol engine.

  Electric Full Hybrid Mild Hybrid Plug-in Hybrid
Petrol engine   Yes Yes Yes
Electric motor Yes Yes Yes Yes
Plug in Yes No No Yes
Electric-only driving Yes Short periods No* Yes
Uses petrol No Yes Yes Yes

*Typical mild hybrid systems cannot power the vehicle independently using electricity alone. Capabilities vary by vehicle.

Which powertrain could suit me?

There's no single option that's right for every driver. Think about how you actually use your car.

Consider an EV if...

You can charge conveniently at home, work or nearby and want to make the switch to fully electric driving.

Consider a Full Hybrid if...

You want some electric driving without needing to plug your car in or change the way you refuel.

Consider a Mild Hybrid if...

You want a familiar petrol driving experience with some electrical assistance to improve efficiency.

Consider a Plug-in Hybrid if...

You can charge regularly, make plenty of shorter everyday journeys but still want the flexibility of a petrol engine for longer trips.

Only a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) needs external charging to make full use of its electric capability. Full hybrids and mild hybrids don't need to be plugged in.

“Self-charging hybrid” is a term commonly used for a full hybrid. Its battery is replenished while driving, including through regenerative braking, rather than being connected to an external charger.

A full hybrid can typically drive electrically for short periods, while a plug-in hybrid can usually travel considerably further using its larger battery. A mild hybrid generally uses its electrical system to assist the petrol engine rather than power the car independently.

Neither is automatically better. The right choice depends on your typical journeys, access to charging, annual mileage and what you want from your next car.

All four powertrain types can be used for longer journeys - the difference is how you'll refuel or recharge along the way. Hybrid vehicles retain a petrol engine and can be refuelled conventionally.

With an EV, you may need to include a charging stop depending on your vehicle's range and the length of your journey. Rapid and ultra-rapid public charging can make this much easier, while many modern EVs can help you plan charging stops through their navigation systems.

Find the right electric or hybrid car

At Gravells, we represent Kia, Renault and Dacia, with a growing choice of fully electric, hybrid, mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles available across our ranges.

If you're unsure which is right for you, our teams can talk you through the options and arrange a test drive so you can experience the difference for yourself.