Date published: 07/08/24 All content in this article is intended to be general in nature and does not constitute and is not intended to be financial or professional advice.

So, you’ve decided to buy an electric vehicle? Super! The first thing you’ll probably realise when you begin your research is that not only are there a heap of manufacturers out there, but there are a few different types of electric vehicles, as well. And this can get overwhelming.

So which type of EV should you buy? This quick reference guide will help you to weigh up the pros and cons, and to compare the main differences between a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV).

If you’ve narrowed your search down to PHEVs vs. BEVs, use these pointers to get you across the line.

PHEVs are a good hybrid option for daily commuting. PHEVs have both fuel and an externally charged battery to fall back on, so that can help you out in the range anxiety department. BEVs on the other hand, are the only truly 100% electric vehicle, so if you’re all about emission-free driving, there’s really only one type of EV for you. But this does mean that they’re going to be more expensive compared to the PHEV.

As hybrid electric vehicles, PHEVs combine electric power with energy from an internal combustion engine (ICE). Internal combustion engines run on fuel, so as you can imagine, they’re generally not as good for the environment as a car that runs partly or completely on electricity. What’s good about a PHEV is that you can choose between either electric power or fuel from the ICE.

Some hybrids on the market will use regenerative braking to recharge - this is the process of using wasted energy while slowing down and using it to recharge the battery. PHEVs are different - just like a fully electric vehicle, you plug your PHEV directly into the grid to power up. This means that depending on what’s available, PHEV owners have the choice of topping up with either fuel or electricity.

Pros

• PHEVs are generally cheaper upfront to buy than BEVs.
• PHEVs provide lower emission driving without the range anxiety that comes with only having one fuel source (we do like a Plan-B).

Cons

• With more parts to maintain, PHEVs cost more to service than BEVs.
• PHEVs have reduced emissions, but they’re not emission free.
• As not all PHEVs are considered low emission, the financial incentives for Aussie PHEV purchases will phase out by April 2025.

BEVs are a type of electrified vehicle, but unlike PHEVs they run on battery power alone. This means they have no fuel tank, no exhaust pipe, and produce no carbon emissions when driven. (That’s none / nada / zilch). BEVs are generally going to have a much larger battery than a PHEV, so this means they can go much further on their battery power compared to other hybrid EVs. But, BEV drivers don’t have an ICE battery as a backup if they run out of charge like hybrid drivers do.

Pros

• By charging your car, you’ll never have to pay or queue up for petrol again.
• Not only does having no exhaust pipe look good, it’s also a reminder that you’re driving emission free in your BEV.
• Electric motors run very quietly compared to ICEs. If you like the sound of an engine revving, this feature might not suit you. For everyone else let’s chalk it up as a win.
• Electric motors and electric batteries take up less space than fuel tanks and ICEs. This means that BEVs tend to have more usable internal storage space than other vehicle types.

Cons

• BEVs are entirely electric, so if you run out of charge, you run out of options – there is no Plan-B.
• Petrol stations are everywhere (unless you run out of fuel – then they’re nowhere to be found). EV charging stations are comparatively sparse.

PHEVs may not be entirely emission free, but they’re gaining popularity. Here are a few reasons why you’ll love owning a PHEV.

1. Efficient for all range driving

PHEVs combine a solid performance in close-range electric driving, with powerful petrol fuelled long-distance driving. This means that if you generally drive shorter distances (like your commute, for example), you could stick to using your electric battery for most of your drives, and then your petrol-powered engine will be there when you need it.

2. Home charging

PHEV battery size lets you get away with 120-volt home charging, which reduces the need to install DC charging hardware or to use public fast charging stations . Between fuel costs and charging costs, this might end up saving you money. And if you’ve got solar power, your savings could be even better.

There are a lot of great things about owning a BEV. Here’s our top 3:

1. You’ll never buy fuel again

Just like taxes, petrol prices only ever seem to go up. (Cue. Eye. Roll.) Buying a BEV is your ticket to a fuel-free future.

2. Enjoy emission-free driving

Unlike ICE vehicles, BEVs produce no emissions when used, so owning a BEV lets you do your bit for the planet and give you guilt-free driving feels.

3. Energy efficiency

BEVs convert roughly 80% of their energy into moving the car – which is four times the efficiency of traditional fuel vehicles. This kind of means you’re getting more bang for your buck when you charge your car with electricity compared to filling an ICE car with fuel. About 12-30% of the energy put into a conventional car is used to actually move the car, and the rest of that energy is just lost.

Tesla Model 3

The Tesla Model 3 is known for its sleek design. It comes in a range of options, including Standard Range Plus, Long Range and Performance with the Long Range boasting over 600km on a single charge. Teslas also have that undeniably ‘cool’ factor about them too.

Hyundai Kona Electric

The Kona Electric is recognised for its comfort, convenience and tech. It comes with two battery options; a 39.2 kWh battery and 64 kWh battery, with the latter offering an impressive range of up to 484km.

Kia EV9

Kia’s EV9 is another strong BEV option. It features a futuristic design with a spacious and luxurious interior, and fast charging that will get you back on the road quick as you can say “I drive an EV”.

Volvo XC60 Recharge

This midsize hybrid SUV has an electric range of 81km and comes with smart features and enabling tech. And if you ever find yourself needing to restart your car remotely, the XC60 lets you do just that using an app on your phone – say whaaat!!??

Ford Escape ST-Line PHEV

Ford's first electrified Australian model is a decent contender in the Aussie PHEV market. The Escape can travel up to 56km on battery alone, and comes with a bunch of features like wireless charging and heating or cooling the car from the FordPass app. Its flexi 556L boot space comes in handy too.

MG HS Plus EV

The MG HS Plus has an electric-only driving range of up to 63km (more than enough for your daily iced-macchiato run), and combined fuel consumption of 1.7L/100km, giving you lots of drive time on very little fuel.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This is general advice only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs (“your personal circumstances”). Before using this advice to decide whether to purchase a product, you should consider your personal circumstances and the relevant Product Disclosure Statement. Product Disclosure Statement and Target Market Determination are available from rollininsurance.com.au. Insurance issued by Insurance Australia Limited ABN 11 000 016 722 AFSL 227681 trading as Rollin’ Insurance.