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A vehicle that combines a combustion engine with one or more electric motors and does not allow its traction battery to be recharged externally.
Reviewed 05.10.2026 · Version 2 · Scope: General
The battery receives energy through the vehicle’s systems, including regenerative braking. The ability to drive electrically depends on the architecture and cannot be inferred from the acronym alone.
In a catalog example, an HEV and a PHEV may both be described as hybrids, but only the PHEV allows its battery to be recharged externally.
Makes it possible to distinguish charging needs and compare specifications without mixing different propulsion categories.
It does not mean the vehicle has no battery or always runs on electricity. Nor does it guarantee the same performance as another hybrid.
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