Plug-in Hybrid - Terminology

Terminology

A plug-in hybrid's all-electric range is designated by PHEV- or PHEVkm in which the number represents the distance the vehicle can travel on battery power alone. For example, a PHEV-20 can travel twenty miles (32 km) without using its combustion engine, so it may also be designated as a PHEV32km.

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 defines a plug-in electric drive vehicle as a vehicle that:

• draws motive power from a battery with a capacity of at least 4 kilowatt hours;
• can be recharged from an external source of electricity for motive power; and
• is a light-, medium-, or heavy-duty motor vehicle or nonroad vehicle.

This distinguishes PHEVs from regular hybrid cars mass marketed today, which do not use any electricity from the grid.

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) defines PHEVs similarly, but also requires that the hybrid electric vehicle be able to drive at least ten miles (16 km) in all-electric mode (PHEV-10; PHEV16km), while consuming no gasoline or diesel fuel.

The California Air Resources Board uses the term "off-vehicle charge capable" (OVCC) to mean having the capability to charge a battery from an off-vehicle electric energy source that cannot be connected or coupled to the vehicle in any manner while the vehicle is being driven.

Other popular terms sometimes used for plug-in hybrids are "grid-connected hybrids", "Gas-Optional Hybrid Electric Vehicle" (GO-HEV) or simply "gas-optional hybrids". General Motors is calling its Chevrolet Volt series plug-in hybrid an "Extended-Range Electric Vehicle".