A plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) combines a petrol engine, an electric engine and a high-voltage battery – and thus offers the best of two worlds. This allows a reduction in fuel consumption as well as CO2 emissions. Interaction between the two systems also offers additional performance and acceleration power.
As its name suggests, a plug-in hybrid can be charged from a socket, a wallbox or at a public charging station. The maximum efficiency of a plug-in hybrid is achieved with a fully charged battery; which means that a charging facility should be available at home and at the workplace.
The electric range for purely electric driving with fully charged battery in the case of a BMW 2 Series Active Tourer 230e xDrive, for example, extends up to 57 miles. As is the case with all vehicles that have a high-voltage battery, technological advances will also see the electric range increase further in the coming years. During recuperation, that means whenever you lift your foot from the accelerator pedal, kinetic energy is converted into electrical energy and fed into the battery – and as a result you gain further miles for the electric range.
As part of its “Power of Choice” strategy, BMW is offering its customers a large selection of plug-in hybrids as a conscious decision in favour of this particularly efficient drive system.
A plug-in hybrid is ideal for drivers seeking the greatest possible versatility: on the one hand, it provides an electric drive for everyday use, such as the cost-optimised and sustainable commute to the office. Optimum use comes with regularly recurring medium-distance commutes, in which the electrically driven miles predominate. On the other hand, the vehicles offer maximum range and flexibility for long distances such as for the weekend excursion with the family.