What Type of Electric Vehicles Are There?

The number of Electric Vehicles (EVs) on the road is increasing nationwide. When considering purchasing an EV, there are several options available. The most commonly seen types are outlined below.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

Battery Electric Vehicles are the most commonly thought of when discussing EVs. These cars are entirely electric and do not utilize a gasoline engine. They are powered by a rechargeable battery pack and are considered zero-emission vehicles since they do not produce harmful emissions or air pollution as gasoline-powered cars do.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

Hybrid Electric Vehicles utilize both a gas-powered engine and an electric motor. Regenerative braking is used to recharge the battery. With traditional gas-powered engines, this braking energy is wasted as heat, but hybrids can repurpose it to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles also use both an engine and an electric motor. Similar to HEVs, they can recharge their battery partially through regenerative braking. However, they differ by having a larger battery and the ability to plug into an electric grid to recharge. PHEVs can travel several dozen miles before the gas engine kicks in. After the electric range is depleted, they function like traditional hybrids and can travel a distance on gasoline.