Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 1,120	$ 688	$ 1,793	$ 1,313
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Unrecognized amounts on retirement benefits, net of tax	(10)	(18)	(44)	14
Foreign currency translation adjustment	109	(49)	(439)	106
Unrealized losses on cash flow hedges, net of tax	9	(27)	(24)	(35)
Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax	128	(58)	(419)	57
Comprehensive income	1,248	630	1,374	1,370
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	4	4	7	7
Comprehensive income attributable to BHE shareholders	$ 1,244	$ 626	$ 1,367	$ 1,363