BEV, HEV, PHEV, and FCEV – What’s the difference? Experts answer.

The rise of electric vehicles in the automotive industry can be confusing, especially if you’re in the market to buy a brand-new Toyota. There are many different factors to cover about electric vehicles between the options offered for your next car. Toyota of Clermont experts is here to guide you through BEV, HEV, PHEV, and FCEV and the differences. So let’s get into it. 

Let’s dive into BEV, HEV, PHEV, and FCEV

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) 

Many Toyota 2023 models contain hybrid-electric engines as standard, like the 2023 Toyota Sienna. This type of car combines a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electric propulsion system. An HEV gives drivers better fuel economy than a traditional car. The difference between hybrid vs EV is that Toyota models are Hybrid Electric Vehicles that do not plug in to recharge. 

Battery electric vehicle (BEV)

When you hear Electric vehicles, you are most likely thinking about a battery electric vehicle, which is purely electric, like the brand new 2023 Toyota Bz4x. What is Bev? You can skip out on the gas station instead of charging up because rechargeable battery packs power these cars. So, it’s a similar concept to your smartphone, it gets low on battery, and you need to plug it in to charge. On the BEV vs PHEV, you will find that battery electric vehicles give you strictly electric power. 

PHEV (Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) 

A PHEV, which stands for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, gives you, as a car buyer, the best of both worlds when it comes to engines. The Toyota lineup has two models: the Clermont Toyota RAV4 Prime and the Clermont Toyota Prius Prime. That’s because it comes with a traditional combustion engine and a battery. The difference between PHEV vs hybrid is these can purely run off of electric power if it’s a short commute, but when it runs out of electric battery, it shifts to its traditional combustion engine. Because it is the best of both worlds, you must also remember to stop at the gas station and plug it in to charge to engage in it’s full capacity. 

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCV) or Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCEV) 

A Fuel Cell vehicle is an electric car that’s powered by hydrogen fuel and a small battery or super capacitor to power the electric motor. These cars are super environmentally friendly. However, they can be expensive due to the cost of producing hydrogen fuel. The Toyota lineup features the Clermont Toyota Mirai, a fuel-cell electric vehicle built with many cool tech features and a modern style. Unfortunately, getting your hands on a fuel cell vehicle is hard as they are generally less popular and less available to consumers now. 

Have any questions about electric cars or plug-in hybrids? Call us today!

We would love to help you answer any questions you may have. So give us a call at (352)404-7000. We’re located just off the Florida Turnpike at 16851 State Road 50, Clermont, FL, 34711.