How is a PHEV different from an HEV?

• A. It has more seating
• B. It gets plugged in to recharge
• C. It uses diesel
• D. It has solar charging only

Answer: (B)

The main distinction is that a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) can be charged from an external electrical outlet. This lets the battery be replenished by plugging in, enabling a portion of driving to be done on electricity alone for a certain range, which often reduces gasoline use for daily trips. An HEV, by contrast, cannot be plugged in to recharge; its battery is charged only by the internal combustion engine and regenerative braking, so it relies more on the engine and uses electric power mainly to assist rather than for long electric-only driving.

The other statements don’t fit as the defining difference: seating size isn’t what separates them, many HEVs don’t use diesel, and solar charging is not the primary or exclusive charging method for PHEVs (they are designed to be plugged in).