EV & PHEV Basics

Hybrid (HEV): a gas engine plus a small battery that you never plug in. It improves fuel economy automatically.

Plug-in hybrid (PHEV): a larger battery you can plug in for a set amount of electric-only driving, with a gas engine as backup for longer trips.

Electric (EV): battery only, no gas engine. You charge at home or at public chargers.

[Placeholder: charging levels, range and battery health for used buyers, and questions to ask before buying. To be expanded later.]