As the automotive industry works toward a lower-emissions future, electrification is taking multiple forms.
While battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are a key part of this transition, they are not the only solution. The road to net zero will be shaped by a mix of technologies designed to meet different needs, geographies, and infrastructure realities.
Hybrid and electrified powertrains – including hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and range-extended electric vehicles (REEVs) – are each instrumental to decarbonization across the automotive sector. Rather than competing, they offer complementary pathways to reducing emissions while providing realistic options for a wide range of circumstances. By maintaining a competitive offering in each of these categories, the automotive industry allows drivers flexibility in their choice of transport.
HEVs: Efficiency without changing behavior
HEVs combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a small battery. Unlike other electrified options, they do not require external charging. Instead, they recover energy through regenerative braking and onboard generation.
The electric motor supports the engine at low speeds and during stop-start driving, improving efficiency and reducing fuel consumption. While electric-only driving is limited, the system enhances overall performance and smoothness.
HEVs are particularly effective in urban and suburban environments, where frequent braking allows for greater energy recovery. By delivering lower emissions without requiring changes to refueling habits or infrastructure, they offer a practical and accessible step toward lower-impact mobility.
Read more about what is a HEV?
PHEVs: Electric driving with added flexibility
PHEVs build on this concept by introducing a larger battery that can be charged externally. This enables fully electric driving for short distances, typically between 20 and 60 miles, covering daily journeys for many users with zero tailpipe emissions.
When the battery is depleted, the internal combustion engine engages to support the vehicle, allowing for longer trips without reliance on charging infrastructure. Unlike REEVs, the engine in a PHEV can directly drive the wheels, creating a blended propulsion system.
This dual capability makes PHEVs highly versatile. Drivers can rely on electric power for short commutes while retaining the convenience of conventional refueling for longer journeys. However, their efficiency depends on regular charging. When used as intended, they can significantly reduce emissions and fuel consumption.
Hybrid and electrified powertrains provide options for a wide variety of environments
Read more about what is a PHEV?
REEVs: Electric-first with extended range
REEVs take an electric-first approach. Like a BEV, an REEV is driven entirely by an electric motor, delivering a fully electric driving experience.
The difference lies in how they manage range. REEVs include a small internal combustion engine that acts only as a generator. When the battery charge drops, it produces electricity to extend range without ever driving the wheels directly.
Because the engine operates in a controlled, efficient range, REEVs optimize fuel use while maintaining low emissions and smooth performance. For most day-to-day driving, they function as zero-emission vehicles, with extended range available when needed.
This makes them particularly valuable in regions where charging infrastructure is limited, or long-distance travel is common.
Read more about what is a REEV?
A portfolio approach to net zero
HEVs, PHEVs, and REEVs each address different challenges in the shift to electrified mobility: HEVs improve efficiency without requiring behavioral change; PHEVs enable electric driving for everyday use while retaining flexibility; and REEVs deliver an electric-first experience with added range.
Together, they offer a functional answer to our broad and diverse reality, demonstrating that there is not just one road to net zero. Different markets and use cases require different solutions. By embracing a mix of powertrain technologies, we can accelerate emissions reduction in a way that is both practical and scalable industry-wide.
Find out more about our solutions here: spotlight solutions.
