What is a HEV?

While electrification is reshaping the automotive landscape, not every vehicle on the road needs all-electric power. Alongside Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) are set to remain a long-term fixture in the world’s vehicle parc.  

Positioned between conventional and fully electric vehicles, HEVs are designed to deliver all of the benefits that come with combustion technology – mainly flexibility, range, and convenience – while improving efficiency and reducing emissions.  

What is a HEV? 

HEVs combine two power sources: a traditional internal combustion engine (petrol or diesel) and an electric motor supported by a small battery pack. 

Unlike fully electric vehicles, HEVs do not depend on external charging. Instead, the electric system supports the engine as it drives – particularly at low speeds, while idling, and in stop-start traffic – delivering efficiency gains without changing how the vehicle is refuelled or used. 

Read more about vehicle types with what is a REEV?.

How HEVs work

In everyday use, a HEV automatically manages the balance between electric and engine power. At lower speeds or during light acceleration, the electric motor can briefly drive the vehicle on its own and reduce strain on the engine, making it great for urban settings. 

Because the battery is relatively small, electric-only operation is limited to short distances. For the most part, the HEV’s electric motor is designed to improve the efficiency and smoothness of the overall driving experience.  

Rather than plugging in, HEVs recharge their batteries through regenerative braking – kinetic energy that would normally be lost during braking is converted into electricity and stored for later use. Additionally, a HEV battery can also top up its charge through a generator connected to the vehicle’s crankshaft. This closed-loop approach is one of the key things that differentiates HEVs from plug-in hybrids, which feature larger batteries and rely on external charging. 

Urban and suburban environments are well-suited to HEVs

Read more about how hybrids can speed up decarbonization.

Where HEVs perform best

HEVs are particularly well suited to city and suburban driving. Lower speeds, frequent braking, and shorter journeys allow the electric motor to improve the efficiency and economics of a traditional combustion vehicle, reducing fuel consumption and tailpipe emissions in everyday use. 

By allowing long ranges associated with traditional internal combustion engine vehicles while delivering these efficiency improvements, HEVs provide a flexible option for drivers of all stripes – dramatically cutting down transport emissions and fuel costs, with no compromises. 

Read more about why hybrids will stay central to global mobility.

Why HEVs remain relevant 

HEVs occupy a clear and purposeful position in the transforming mobility landscape. They deliver tangible efficiency and emissions benefits while slotting into existing driving patterns. 

As electrification continues to progress at different speeds across regions and use cases, HEVs remain a practical and accessible option for lower-impact mobility in real-world conditions. As one of the world's leading providers of HEV powertrain technology, Horse Powertrain is here to help the industry leverage hybrids to deliver affordable, low-emission transport globally. 

Find out more about our solutions here: spotlight solutions.