What Type of Electric Vehicles Are There?
As the popularity of Electric Vehicles (EVs) continues to grow, there are several options available to potential buyers. Here, we've provided an overview of some of the most commonly encountered types.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
When people talk about EVs, they're usually referring to Battery Electric Vehicles. These fully electric vehicles rely solely on a rechargeable battery pack for energy and do not use a gasoline engine. Because they do not produce harmful tailpipe emissions or contribute to air pollution, BEVs are classified as zero-emission vehicles.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
Hybrid Electric Vehicles use both an electric motor and a gasoline-powered engine. During regenerative braking, the battery can be charged. This energy is usually lost as heat in the brake pads and rotors of traditional gas-powered vehicles, but in hybrids, it is harnessed to help the gasoline engine during acceleration.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
Like HEVs, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles use both an engine and an electric motor and can partially recharge their battery through regenerative braking. However, PHEVs typically have larger batteries and can be plugged into the grid for recharging. They can travel for several dozen miles on electric power alone before the gas engine kicks in. Once the battery is depleted, they operate like regular hybrids and can run on gasoline.
