What is a key characteristic of PHEVs compared to traditional vehicles?

A key characteristic of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) compared to traditional vehicles is that they can be charged from an external power source. This design feature allows PHEVs to utilize both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The ability to plug into electrical outlets or charging stations means that PHEVs can run on electricity for shorter trips, significantly increasing fuel efficiency and reducing emissions when compared to conventional vehicles that rely solely on gasoline or diesel engines.

This characteristic makes PHEVs more versatile, as they can operate in electric-only mode for certain distances while having the combustion engine as a backup for longer trips. This dual-system approach helps bridge the gap between traditional combustion engines and fully electric vehicles, providing greater flexibility for drivers.

In contrast to this option, traditional vehicles typically do not have the capacity to be charged externally, relying solely on fuel to power the engine, which differentiates them fundamentally from PHEVs.