How do electric and hybrid vehicles differ?

Electric are solely powered by electricity. This means that you plug them into a charger, and it uses only available battery power to drive. 

Plug-in-hybrid vehicles (or PHEVs) have petrol motor and electric motor components; a halfway point between fuel-powered cars and electric cars if you like. You need to charge the batteries for the electric motor component. However, their electric-only driving range is generally short – between 40 to 100 kilometres. From there it will switch over to the motor and conventional fuel.

The other type of hybrid is the more traditional non-plug-in hybrid (HEV). These have been in the market for around 20 years since the launch of the Toyota Prius. HEVs run on both an internal combustion engine and a battery, but the difference is you cannot charge HEVs; they use energy stored in the battery from what is called ‘regenerative braking’. 
 

Please note: From 1 April 2025, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle will not be considered a zero or low emissions vehicle under FBT law. However, your employer can continue to apply the exemption if both the following requirements are met: 1) Use of the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle was exempt before 1 April 2025. 2) You have a financially binding commitment to continue using the vehicle for private use on and after 1 April 2025. For this purpose, any optional extension of the agreement is not considered binding. To qualify for the EV discount, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles must be delivered by midnight on 31 March 2025. Due to high demand and stock limitations there may be some vehicles that do not meet the delivery deadline for the EV Discount. Customers are advised to confirm delivery timelines before proceeding with their order.