U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Photo of front driver's side view of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with decals.

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) combine the benefits of pure electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Like electric vehicles, they plug into the electric grid and can be powered by the stored electricity alone. Like hybrid electric vehicles, they have engines that enable greater driving range and battery recharging.

Graphic of a car with a comically outsized electrical plug sticking out of the side.

Basics

Vehicle Availability

Learn about plug-in hybrid electric vehicle options available today and in the near future.

Incentives and Laws

Publications

List of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle publications from our publications database.
Select plug-in hybrid electric vehicle publications:
- Tackling Climate Change in the U.S.: Potential Carbon Emissions Reductions from Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy by 2030 (PDF 344 KB) Download Adobe Reader.
- A Preliminary Assessment of the Impact of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles on Wind Energy Markets (PDF 873 KB) Download Adobe Reader.
- U.S. DOE Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle R&D Plan (PDF 2.2 MB) Download Adobe Reader.