What are the types of hybrid cars? mHEV, HEV, PHEV, REEV?

Artur Owczarek

Brand Product Manager Moje AutoHe has been involved in the automotive industry for years. He is passionate about cars and detailing. On his blog, he shares his knowledge and experience, offering tips on how to effectively care for your car and extend its life.

Not so long ago, the market was dominated by combustion engine cars, and electric units were associated only with Melex-type vehicles. Today, we have four basic types of hybrid cars to choose from:
• HEV – classic hybrid
• MHEV – mild hybrid
• PHEV – a hybrid with the possibility of charging
• REEV (EREV) – extended-range hybrid.
In the following article, we will discuss their basic features and analyze the advantages and disadvantages to determine which one is best to choose.

In addition to hybrid cars, car enthusiasts can now also choose from traditional combustion cars and fully electric BEV cars, i.e. Battery Electric Vehicle. BEVs are vehicles without a combustion engine, powered only by electricity from batteries placed under the floor. If you are looking for a more detailed dose of information about hybrid and electric cars, see our article Hybrids vs. Electric Cars – What to Choose?

What is a hybrid car and how does it work?
MHEV (Mild Hybrid) – mild support for the combustion engine
HEV (Full Hybrid) – classic hybrid without charging
PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) – plug-in hybrid
REEV (Range Extender) – extended range hybrid
Which type of hybrid to choose? Comparison and advantages and disadvantages
The Future of Hybrid Cars – Where Is Technology Heading?
How to take care of a used hybrid you bought?

What is a hybrid car and how does it work?

The principle of operation of a hybrid car is the cooperation of a traditional combustion engine with a modern electric drive., enabling comfortable driving typical of combustion engines, enriched with savings related to reduced operating costs, i.e. using electricity instead of traditional fuels. The cooperation of the two drive sources differs depending on the type of hybrid car. The key to efficiency is that in hybrids recuperation is used.

MHEV (Mild Hybrid) – mild support for the combustion engine

We start the review of hybrid cars with the Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle, abbreviated as MHEV. Another popular name is a soft hybrid. The basic difference, compared to the classic HEV hybrid, is that its drive system uses the electric unit to a lesser extent, mainly for starting and accelerating. In other words, it is equipped with a weaker electric engine, and consequently, a smaller traction battery used to power the electric unit. Electricity is obtained through recuperation. This type of drive is most often used in smaller, lighter cars, designed primarily for city driving..

HEV (Full Hybrid) – classic hybrid without charging

The classic hybrid is called a Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or HEV. It has a standard combustion engine and an electric engine, which is powered by a low-power battery. In the case of HEV hybrids, charging is not required, because the battery powering the electric engine is charged thanks to recuperation, i.e. recovering kinetic energy generated during braking and converting it into electric energy. The electric engine is used primarily when starting off. HEV hybrids work well in city cars.

PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) – plug-in hybrid

A plug-in hybrid, or Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, abbreviated as PHEV, works on the same principle as a classic HEV or MHEV hybrid, with one fundamental difference - it can be connected to an external power source, so it has the ability to charge the battery. The electric engine, more powerful than in HEV or MHEV hybrids, not only supports the combustion engine in this case, especially during take-off and acceleration, but you can freely switch between selected types of power supply: combustion, electric and hybrid. When driving using the electric unit, you can travel several dozen kilometers. PHEV hybrids are often larger family cars, used not only for city driving, but also for weekend or holiday trips..

REEV (Range Extender) – extended range hybrid

EREV, or Extended Range Electric Vehicle, also known as REEV, or Range Extended Electric Vehicle, is another type of hybrid car. They differ from HEV, MHEV and PHEV hybrids primarily in that Only the electric unit is used to power the vehicle, much stronger than in other hybrids, and the combustion generator has an auxiliary function, it is not used to propel the vehicle, but to recharge the battery while driving. The REEV hybrid can be charged from an external power source. It is distinguished by its quiet driving.

Which type of hybrid to choose? Comparison and advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of the traditional HEV hybrid include ease of use and the lack of need for charging. The disadvantage is the small number of kilometers that can be driven on electric drive, which is usually used only for starting and accelerating. The plug-in PHEV hybrid can be charged either from a home socket or at a charging station. The range that can be covered on the electric engine is much greater than in the case of HEV. In both types petrol consumption can be much lower than in similar combustion-only models. The number of charging stations and car services specializing in this type of car is growing year by year – this is another argument for. Hybrids are good solutions for someone who does not get behind the wheel very often and drives mainly in the city. In addition the failure rate of hybrids is lower than that of combustion cars, because they do not use many failure parts, such as alternators, starters or V-belts. When planning slightly longer routes, it is worth choosing a hybrid with extended REEV range.

The Future of Hybrid Cars – Where Is Technology Heading?

The development of hybrid car technology or, looking at the subject more broadly, alternatives to combustion engines will proceed at an increasingly rapid pace, there is no doubt about that. Probably in the coming years, designers will manage to develop solutions that will make their current shortcomings, such as a relatively short range, a thing of the past. Today, it is not without reason that many potential buyers of hybrid and BEV cars ask themselves the question: Do Electric Cars Lose Range in Winter?? Perhaps the recipe for success will be completely new solutions, such as FCEV, or Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle – hydrogen-powered cars.

How to take care of a used hybrid you bought?

The downside of all new hybrids is still the relatively high prices in showrooms. The solution to this problem may be to buy a used car. When deciding on such a car, you need to have the model you are interested in inspected, just like you do with combustion cars, to make sure that it is OK from the technical (and electrical) side. Particular attention is paid primarily to condition of the traction battery and cooling system. And then you need to do some work around the car to get the look you want. You will need a variety of good products from Moja Auto, which are: popular car cosmetics, advanced car chemicals and specialist preparations to facilitate car detailing. They will also come in handy car smellsand in the trunk there is a practical car accessories for every occasion.