Shopping for an alternative fuel car can be overwhelming - there are so many different options out there to wade through. HEV, BEV, PHEV, FCEV - what do they all mean, and which one is the right one for you when it comes to your next Clermont Toyota? Our expert sales team is here to explain the differences between these alternative fuel options and help you choose the right one.
A guide to BEV, HEV, and PHEV vehicles
BEV: BEV stands for Battery Electric Vehicle. This is your standard electric car like the Clermont Toyota bz4X, which is rapidly becoming more common out on the roads. BEVs run on battery power alone; they don't have an internal combustion engine at all and need to be charged with a special plug to power them.
HEV: HEV stands for Hybrid Electric Vehicle. If you recall, a hybrid is a car that can operate on both battery and gasoline power; it has a hybrid system that integrates an internal combustion engine. A good example of this car is the new Toyota Prius. You don't have to charge HEVs (they charge themselves through regenerative braking) and they do take gasoline.
PHEV: PHEV stands for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle. These cars - like the Toyota Prius Prime and RAV4 Prime - are very similar to hybrids in that they have both electric and internal combustion capabilities. However, unlike hybrid cars, PHEVs do get plugged in to charge (the plug-in should have given it away) and can run for longer on an electric charge alone.
That's the breakdown of HEV, BEV, and PHEV. So how do you know which one to take home from Toyota of Clermont when you get your next alternative fuel car? Here are some things to consider.
- If you're having a little bit of EV range anxiety (worrying about running out of electric charge), then an HEV or PHEV is probably your best bet - you'll have a gas engine to fall back on.
- If you want to cut the cord with gasoline and oil completely, you should put a BEV in the garage.
- If you want the best of both worlds - the ability to run on electric power but the fail-safe of a gas engine - then a PHEV is a solid solution for you.
What are FCEVs?
We still haven't talked about FCEVs, and that's because they're not really in the HEV/BEV/PHEV family. They run on fuel cell tech - hydrogen. They're not very common here, especially on the east coast, because they're relatively new and we don't have the fueling infrastructure for them. However, they're an extremely clean form of alternative fuel vehicle and we'd love to see one at Toyota of Clermont one day.
Have questions about BEV, HEV, PHEV, or FCEV vehicles? Call Toyota of Clermont today at (352) 404-7001. We're open seven days a week!
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