BEV or Hybrid?
Three ways to electrify a car. The key difference is how much of the driving is done by a battery, and whether you plug it in.
BEV
Battery Electric Vehicle
Runs only on electricity from a large battery. No petrol engine, no fuel tank, no tailpipe.
Examples: Tesla Model 3, Hyundai Ioniq 5, BYD Atto 3
PHEV
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
A petrol engine plus a mid-size battery you can plug in. Drives on electricity first, then switches to petrol-hybrid mode.
Examples: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, BYD Sealion 6, Ford Ranger PHEV
HEV
Hybrid Electric Vehicle ("self-charging")
A petrol engine assisted by a small battery and motor. Recharges itself from braking and the engine. Cannot be plugged in.
Examples: Toyota Corolla Hybrid, RAV4 Hybrid, Camry Hybrid
Side-by-side
| BEV | PHEV | HEV | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power source | Electric motor only | Electric motor + petrol engine | Petrol engine + small electric motor |
| Plugs in? | Yes, required | Yes, optional but intended | No |
| Battery size (typical) | 40 to 100+ kWh | 10 to 25 kWh | 1 to 2 kWh |
| Electric-only range | 300 to 600+ km | Roughly 30 to 100 km | A few km at low speed |
| Needs fuel? | No | Yes, for long trips | Yes, always |
| Tailpipe emissions | None | None in electric mode; low overall if charged regularly | Reduced vs petrol, still present |
| Energy price (Oct 2026, Victoria) | Grid electricity: about 30c/kWh Home solar: about 6 to 10c/kWh | Electric mode: grid or solar prices as per BEV Petrol mode: about $2.30/L | Petrol: about $2.30/L |
| Energy used (typical) | 15 to 20 kWh/100 km | About 20 kWh/100 km on electric, 5 to 7 L/100 km once the battery is flat | 4 to 5.5 L/100 km |
| Running cost per 100 km | Grid: about $4.50 to $6 Solar: about $1 to $2 | Electric on grid: about $6; on solar: about $1.50 to $2 Petrol mode: about $11.50 to $16 | About $9 to $13 |
| Driving experience | Near-silent, smooth and instant torque, so it feels quick off the line. Heavy battery gives a stable, low centre of gravity. | Silent in electric mode, then the engine joins in. Combined power is often strong, though extra weight can dull handling. | Quiet at low speeds, but the engine is audible under hard acceleration. Performance is typically modest and focused on efficiency. |
| Fast charging | Yes (DC) | Limited or none on most models | Not applicable |
| Regenerative braking | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Upfront price | Often highest, though falling | Mid to high | Lowest of the three |
| Servicing complexity | Fewest moving parts | Most complex (two powertrains) | Moderate |
Pros and cons
BEV
Pros
- Zero tailpipe emissions
- Lowest running cost: roughly $4.50 to $6 per 100 km on grid power, or $1 to $2 on home solar
- Fewer moving parts and less routine servicing
- Quiet, smooth, instant torque
- Convenient home charging: start each day "full"
Cons
- Higher purchase price on many models
- Long trips need planning around fast chargers
- Charging takes longer than refuelling
- Hard if you have no off-street or workplace charging
- Range drops in extreme heat or cold, when towing, or at high speed
PHEV
Pros
- Can cover most daily trips on electricity alone
- No range anxiety: the petrol engine takes over
- Works with only occasional charging access
- Cheap electric km (about $6 per 100 km on grid, $1.50 to $2 on solar) versus about $11.50 to $16 in petrol mode
- One car for both commuting and road trips
- Silent, smooth electric driving around town, with strong combined power when the engine joins in
Cons
- Only efficient if you actually plug in; uncharged, it can use more fuel than an HEV because of the heavier battery
- Two powertrains means more complexity and weight
- Small electric range compared with a BEV
- Usually pricier than a hybrid
- Still needs petrol, oil changes and engine servicing
HEV
Pros
- No plugging in or change in routine: just refuel
- Better fuel economy than an equivalent petrol car, especially in town
- Lowest upfront cost of the three
- Fuel costs about $9 to $13 per 100 km
- Proven, widely available technology
- Quiet, smooth stop-start city driving
- Good fit for apartments or anywhere without charging
Cons
- Still depends on petrol and produces tailpipe emissions
- Almost no electric-only driving
- Engine noise under hard acceleration, and performance is usually modest
- Savings are smaller on highway driving
- Cannot use cheap grid or solar electricity, so every km is paid for at the petrol price (about $2.30/L)
- Engine servicing still required
Which one suits whom
You can charge at home or work, mostly drive predictable distances, and want the lowest running costs and emissions.
You can charge regularly, have short daily trips, but also take frequent long drives or tow and want a petrol safety net.
You cannot charge at home, want to keep the same habits as a petrol car, and want lower fuel bills at a modest price.
Energy prices are indicative for Victoria in October 2026. Petrol is volatile: pump prices averaged about $2.30 to $2.40/L in Melbourne in late September, up from roughly $1.88 in August. Grid electricity is based on typical flat-rate retail plans (default offer bills of about $1,480 to $1,750 a year for 4,000 kWh), and the 30c/kWh figure is an approximation. Cheaper off-peak or EV plans can lower it. Solar cost is an estimate of rooftop generation cost over the system life, and a low feed-in tariff means exported power is worth little. Figures are typical ranges and vary by model, driving conditions and region. Check manufacturer specifications, local incentives, charging availability and current prices before buying.