plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is referred to in German as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEF), i.e. a vehicle with a hybrid drive that has a battery-powered electric motor in addition to an internal combustion engine. The term plug-in refers to the fact that the battery for the hybrid vehicle's electric motor is charged at a charging station. In contrast, the batteries of hybrid cars are charged via the internal combustion engine.
Hybrid vehicles run either on gasoline or diesel, or electrically using the energy from the charged battery. The driving distance that can be covered with electric energy is sufficient for short distances of less than 100 km. It is much less than the distance that can be driven with gasoline. The batteries are generally charged at a charging station. However, there are also concepts with which the braking energy is converted into charging current. The energy of the combustion engine can also be converted into electrical energy. However, this reduces efficiency. In this motor vehicle concept, the electric drive is used until the batteries are empty.
PHEV motor vehicles are suitable for short trips. They first run on electric power until the batteries are empty. Then they switch over to the combustion engine. During the journey, they do not emit any harmful nitrogen oxides.