Available since the late 1990s, hybrid vehicles seamlessly integrate gas and electric power. Taking an overall look at a hybrid system, you’ll find an internal combustion engine (ICE), at least one electric motor, and a small battery pack. Hybrids operate by using electric power while coasting or idling, reducing tailpipe emissions to zero. When additional power is required, however, the ICE will kick on to aid in merging on the highway or overcoming a hill. A hybrid’s battery is recharged through regenerative braking, a process in which the kinetic energy from braking is translated into electrical energy and sent back to the battery. Hybrid vehicles are most popular among drivers with longer and more frequent commutes, as they provide greater fuel efficiency, allowing you to drive longer between fill-ups without ever needing to recharge.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, often referred to as PHEVs, also mesh gas and electric power, similarly to hybrids. However, PHEVs, like the Jeep 4xe models and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, use a rechargeable battery pack. This means that, in addition to regenerative braking, a PHEVs battery is recharged by an external power source using an EV charging cable. Most PHEVs, including the Jeep and Chrysler PHEV models, allow drivers to select their power by choosing between electric, hybrid, and gas power. This puts the driver in control of the efficiency. PHEVs are popular for drivers with short commutes, as they use a rechargeable battery pack. However, drivers with longer commutes don’t have to shy away from PHEVs because even if the battery becomes depleted, the car will still get you to where you need to go using the gas-powered engine. 

Lastly, a battery electric vehicle, or BEV for short, does away with the gas-powered internal combustion engine, operating solely with electric motors and a large rechargeable battery pack. BEVs still use regenerative braking to send electricity back to the battery pack while the car is in use. However, it relies on being plugged into an external power source to get most of its charge. In addition to zero emissions, BEV drivers experience exciting performance and acceleration due to the electric power. This is because while gas engines require a delay to build up RPMs to provide the maximum amount of torque, electricity is automatically available, providing instant torque without tapering off. Another benefit of a BEV is lower maintenance costs. This is because a BEV uses far fewer mechanical parts than a gas-powered vehicle. Therefore, less maintenance is required to keep it running smoothly. In fact, the only maintenance BEV owners really concern themselves with is things like tires, brakes, suspension, and other normal wear and tear parts. While BEV owners don’t have to worry about spending money on fuel, electricity isn’t completely free. However, it is far cheaper to recharge a BEV than it is to fill up a gas tank. While BEVs are most popular among drivers with shorter commutes due to recharging being required, driving ranges are getting longer and longer as EV technology advances, with some vehicles achieving a 500-plus-mile driving range.