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What is a MHEV (mild-hybrid electric vehicle)?

A MHEV (mild-hybrid electric vehicle) is a type of hybrid vehicle where the electric motor and battery aren't powerful enough to drive the car on their own. Instead, they just provide a little assistance to the engine, which is responsible for driving the car normally. Mild-hybrid cars have reduced emissions and fuel consumption compared with equivalent non-hybrid petrol or diesel cars.

Related glossary terms
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EV - Electric VehicleAn EV (electric vehicle) is a vehicle that's driven by an electric motor, using energy from an on-board battery pack.
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HEV - Hybrid Electric VehicleA hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) uses both an electric motor and a fuel-powered engine to drive the wheels.
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PHEV - Plug-in Hybrid Electric VehicleA PHEV (plug-in-hybrid electric vehicle) is a type of hybrid vehicle. PHEVs have the largest battery packs and the most powerful electric motors, letting them drive for several miles on electric power alone.