Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, and BMW EV: The Differences, Explained

Times are changing, with gas prices rising even faster than sea levels. Shouldn’t our transportation keep up with the times?

BMW AG thinks so, which is why their manufacturing processes and vehicles alike are making broad strides toward sustainability, including a range of PHEVs and BMW EV choices that cater to environmentally-minded performance car shoppers.

The Differences between Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, and BMW EV

Hybrid Vehicles at a Glance

Hybrids get their name from the fact that their powertrains combine a gas engine with one or more electric motors. They’re capable of driving solely on gasoline, on electricity alone (especially in city settings), or on gas and electric together. If you’re a long-time fan of the brand, you likely remember the BMW ActiveHybrid line that was sold in the early 2010’s.

BMW Plug-in Hybrids

Our selection of new BMW hybrids is made up entirely of PHEVs, or plug-in hybrid vehicles. Their operation is mostly similar to a traditional hybrid, with a twist: where traditional hybrids rely on the engine to charge the battery, a PHEV can be plugged in. As a result, you get limited all-electric range, and if your driving is mostly local, you could easily go weeks at a time between trips to the gas station.

Our current BMW PHEVs include the BMW 330e, BMW X5 xDrive45e, and the BMW 745e xDrive. Also watch for the BMW XM crossover, available for pre-order starting early in 2023.

BMW EVs

Innovative as they are, hybrids and PHEVs still rely on internal combustion engines. Although their emissions are lower than average, they’re still present, and you’ll still need to visit a gas station, albeit less frequently.

However, new BMW EVs like the BMW iX or the BMW i4 eDrive40 rely only on electricity to deliver their torque and horsepower, so there are no emissions. What’s more, their mechanical simplicity — no engine, only a single-speed transmission — sheds weight, while also ensuring lower maintenance over the life of the vehicle. Even better, you get all of this without sacrificing the driving dynamics that have always been the BMW brand’s stock-in-trade.

Test-Drive, Pre-Orders, and More

These are exciting times to be a BMW dealership serving Tampa, FL. However, the team at BMW of Wesley Chapel truly envies drivers, whose choices for sustainable and efficient vehicles are broader and better than ever before. Call or visit us today to begin your journey toward a drive that is electrified, and electrifying, all at once.