The EV is the Electric Only Vehicle—NO ICE (Internal Combustion Engine). The HYBRID, such a Toyota PRIUS in the current PHV version can be electric up to certain range before switching to ICE assist. The facts are that either on electric only can produce an MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) somewhere between 70 MPGe to 110 MPGe. In order to meet the 2025 targeted fuel performance the auto industry has to arrive at a scheme that utilizes these excellent MPGe numbers in some manner.
One scheme is to use the EV as a second car i.e. each household would have 2 cars---one a conventional and the second car an EV. This scheme works well where the second car is used for LOCAL driving and convenientally recharged while in the garage overnight. The writer has used this scheme and it works well. But notice it depends on the second car. Suppose you have only one car? If you have only one car and it is an EV then you are dependent upon multiple recharging stations conveniently scattered in your area of interest. The government has been trying hard to promote this idea but it slow to be accepted and seems even slower to become very popular.
This leads to the alternate version wherein the single car is a HYBRID PHV. In this scheme the HYBRID is recharged overnight and is ready for electric only driving up to the limit of the charge. In the case of the PRIUS this amounts to some 15+miles (rumored to be increased to 35+ miles) at which time the ICE starts and the car continues powered by gasoline. BTW in this scenario the VOLT will go some 40 miles before the ICE starts and in very many cases this is sufficient that the car will not use the ICE when used for LOCAL driving. If the need arises for longer trips then the remainder of trip is powered on gasoline. Now the HYBRID car is more expensive than a conventional because it is more complex. But it is completely independent of requiring frequent external recharging stations. And it relieves any anxiety about running out of battery charge and needing to buy a battery recharge while on the road----PITA.
BTW the EV, in theory should cost less than a conventional ICE car. No ICE, and also the car is less complex, hence should cost less. To date this has NOT been demonstrated and the stated reason (which the writer questions) is the cost of the much larger battery required. The battery manufacturers contend that “economy of scale” cost reduction does NOT apply to large batteries. No reason is given.
This later scheme is gaining in popularity and in fact articles explaining this, are allowing the HYBRID PHV to prevent the wider spread use of EV only. This is evidenced by the fact that PRIUS PHV sales are increasing while the NISSAN LEAF is not meeting sales objectives because of customer resistance.
INTERESTING---