Difference between plug-in hybrid and electric
Electric car or plug-in hybrid? We tell you the main differences between these mobility solutions.
Decarbonisation of the economy and sustainable mobility go hand in hand. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids play a key role in this process and are becoming increasingly popular in cities. Technological improvements support these solutions, which will gradually displace other polluting alternatives such as pure combustion engines.
What is an electric car?
An electric car is a vehicle powered by one or more electric motors. These motors are powered by a source of electrical energy, which will be transformed into the kinetic energy necessary for the movement of the whole. Electric vehicles can be charged, or not, via the electricity grid through public charging points, or through private charging points in private homes, for example.
The necessary electrical energy is stored in batteries. The most widespread technology in this area is lithium-ion batteries, although there is research exploring other possibilities. You can explore everything you need to know about electric car batteries on this page.
Features of electric cars
The history of the electric car is long and fruitful. Today, they have become a real alternative to other more polluting and less sustainable modes of transport.
They are vehicles with lower maintenance costs, as they have fewer mechanical parts, and have lower charging costs than combustion vehicles. Electric cars measure consumption in kWh per 100 km, so the price of charging will depend on the price per kWh. For example, if the price is set at €0.25 per kWh and we have to charge a 50-kWh battery, the charging cost will be €12.50.
These prices depend on the cost per kWh at the charging point, the type of charging (standard, fast or ultra-fast) and the capacity of the battery, of course.
The average consumption of electric cars may be one of their main barriers to entry, as it averages 16 kWh per 100 km (a car with a 77-kWh battery will have a theoretical range of about 480 km). Batteries are becoming longer and longer range and allow electric cars to cover more distance without needing to charge during the journey.
On the other hand, in many countries, this type of vehicle benefits from purchase subsidies and tax advantages, both for individuals and companies. For example, in some places, they are exempt from registration tax, or they benefit from reductions in road tax. In Spain, for example, there is the MOVES Plan, which provides grants of up to €4,500 for the purchase of new vehicles.
Finally, they are vehicles that enjoy mobility advantages as they are authorised to enter areas restricted to polluting vehicles in large urban centres (in Spain they fall into the category of the DGT's Zero Emissions Environmental Distinction). These low-emission zones are becoming increasingly popular, which means that the electric alternative is gaining ground in this type of urban context.
Advantages of electric cars
Every day there are more and more electric cars on our roads, in our cities and towns. But what are their main advantages?
Zero emissions
Electrically powered cars do not need to burn fossil fuels and produce no direct carbon dioxide emissions.
Significant savings
Unlike internal combustion engines, electric engines are highly energy efficient, which translates into significantly lower cost per kilometre and consequent cost savings.
Low maintenance
This type of vehicle has very low maintenance costs, as the electric engine does not require oil, filters or coolant to be changed, among others.
Less breakdowns
Electric cars do not have an engine or other associated components, so they have far fewer components subject to wear and tear.
Economic incentives and tax benefits
Electric cars users benefit from grants for the purchase of this type of vehicle, as well as lower taxation compared to combustion vehicles.
Maximum comfort
Not having a combustion engine enables a better layout with more space, less noise and no vibrations, heating or possible odours.
Ideal for the city
Electric car drivers are finding it increasingly easier to drive electric vehicles in cities, as many cities offer discounts on parking fees and the use of chargers in public places. In addition, dedicated spaces are reserved for this type of vehicle.
Source: Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, U.S. Department of Energy.
Electric cars, which are becoming increasingly common on our roads, offer a number of advantages that make them a sustainable mobility alternative. These vehicles run on electricity and do not need to burn fossil fuels, meaning they produce no direct carbon dioxide emissions. Their motors also help reduce charging costs because they are highly efficient, resulting in a lower cost per kilometre. They also require less maintenance, as electric motors do not require oil, filters or coolant to be changed, for example.
They can also help minimise breakdowns because they do not have a combustion engine or other components that are as exposed to wear and tear. In many countries, users who opt for electric vehicles benefit from purchase incentives and subsidies, as well as lower taxes compared with combustion-engine vehicles. In addition, these cars offer greater comfort by eliminating the combustion engine and providing passengers with more interior space, reduced noise and no vibrations, heat or odours. All in all, an electric vehicle is ideal for urban environments, where charging infrastructure and dedicated parking spaces are becoming increasingly available.
What is a plug-in hybrid car?
A plug-in hybrid car is a hybrid car with a larger battery than the non-plug-in hybrid car, which is capable of operating in pure electric mode over a medium range of distances.
Hybrid vehicles are, by definition, vehicles that combine two powertrains: an internal combustion engine and a battery-powered electric motor. This simple definition can be broadened depending on the arrangement of the engines (series or parallel) and other considerations. But, taking the discussion to plug-in hybrid cars, they are an evolution of hybrids with a higher capacity battery, which is charged by plugging it into the mains.
These batteries allow plug-in vehicles to operate in 100% electric mode for medium distances (currently 80-100 km).
The battery of the plug-in hybrid car can be charged in several possible ways:
- While the combustion engine is running, the electric battery is slowly charged.
- Through what is known as regenerative braking. When the brakes are applied, some of the energy dissipated as heat is converted into electrical energy. This is known as kinetic energy recovery and you may be familiar with the acronym KERS.
- By plugging it into the mains, either at a public or domestic charging point.
Although they do not achieve zero emissions, plug-in hybrid cars achieve a very significant reduction in emissions compared to internal combustion engine cars.
Using a plug-in hybrid responsibly
For a plug-in hybrid car to realise its full environmental potential, it is essential to charge it frequently and prioritise electric mode for daily journeys. If it is used primarily with the combustion engine, its advantages over a conventional vehicle are not only reduced but can almost completely disappear: the additional weight of the battery increases consumption when the car is driven without the battery being charged. A study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) based on real-world data from eight million vehicles confirms that plug-in hybrids in Europe emit, on average, five times more CO₂ than their official figures indicate, with the gap increasing from 265% in 2021 to 400% in 2023.
The electric car: a present reality moving towards the future
Of all the alternative powertrain options, the electric car has the greatest potential in the long term to drive sustainable mobility and consolidate a transport and living model that is more environmentally sustainable.
An electric vehicle has a very positive impact on noise pollution, considerably reducing it and helping to make urban environments more liveable. In addition, electric vehicles produce no polluting emissions while driving and, when the electricity comes from renewable sources, their environmental impact is even lower.
While electric cars are already a sustainable reality, the future is even more promising, as improvements continue to emerge. Electric car batteries are the subject of ongoing research, both in terms of materials and energy storage technology. As research advances into higher-capacity, lighter batteries, progress is also being made on issues that are crucial for the environment, such as recycling these devices, which is currently a major challenge for all manufacturers.
Which option is best suited to different uses?
The choice between an electric vehicle and a plug-in hybrid depends above all on whether the user can ensure frequent charging. If their routine allows them to charge every day, for example at home, at work or in public, and their journeys are mainly urban or interurban, an electric vehicle is the most straightforward option: the average driver in a large city travels between 30 and 40 kilometres a day, a distance that a compact electric car with a real-world range of 300 kilometres can cover with ease, with zero direct emissions and without requiring any additional habits.
A plug-in hybrid, on the other hand, makes sense as a transitional option for people who combine city driving with long-distance journeys and do not always have access to a charging point, as it combines electric mode for everyday driving with a combustion engine as a backup. But this flexibility comes with one essential condition: if the vehicle is not charged frequently, it carries the additional weight of the battery without making use of it, and its benefits compared with a conventional car can almost completely disappear. Therefore, while an electric vehicle offers its environmental benefits automatically, a plug-in hybrid only delivers them if the user maintains a consistent charging routine.
Iberdrola's key role in driving electric mobility
Electric mobility has become one of the fundamental pillars for moving towards a more sustainable energy model, reducing transport emissions and accelerating the decarbonisation of the economy. At Iberdrola, we play a key role in the electrification of transport through four specific areas: charging infrastructure, solutions tailored to each user, 100% renewable electricity and digitalisation of the charging experience.
We are deploying charging infrastructure in the main markets where we operate, adapting each project to local needs: from the Smart Mobility Plan in Spain to the PACE project in the UK and the electric corridors promoted by Neoenergia in Brazil. We offer tailored solutions for every customer profile: home charging for individuals, management systems for business fleets and electrification projects for public transport. All the electricity supplied comes from 100% renewable sources with guarantees of origin, ensuring clean mobility from end to end.
We are also committed to digitalising the charging experience: our fast chargers feature Autocharge functionality, which allows charging to start simply by connecting the vehicle, with no prior steps required. We also have an app that allows users to locate charging points, check their availability in real time, reserve them and pay using different methods. This ongoing support for users – before, during and after charging – is key to making electric mobility an increasingly accessible, reliable and future-ready alternative.