Although it muddies the
Although it muddies the waters further and although I'm a PEV purist being a LEAF driver, the distinction between a PHEV like the Volt and one like the Prius Plug-in Hybrid is substantial. The Volt, under all normal driving circumstances will not start its internal combustion engine (ICE) in its first 35 miles. After the battery pack is depleted, the ICE will come on, but only (again under normal driving circumstances) to generate electricity for the electric motor. On the other hand, the Prius uses its ICE in normal driving like under heavy acceleration or above 62 mph. For folks who want to use as little gasoline as possible but can't live with a BEV, the distinction is important. Of course to muddy things further, since the Prius is so much more efficient in hybrid operation than the Volt, folks who drive fewer than its 13 mile range or further than about 75 miles daily will use less gas with the Prius. The Volt excels in the middle range.