What Type of Electric Vehicles Are There?

The use of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is on the rise nationwide, and there are several options available to prospective buyers. Below, we've highlighted some of the most prevalent types.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

When discussing EVs, a Battery Electric Vehicle is typically what is meant. These vehicles are fully electric and do not rely on gasoline engines. Instead, a rechargeable battery pack supplies the energy required to operate the vehicle. BEVs are considered zero-emission vehicles since they do not produce harmful tailpipe emissions or the air pollution that is typical of gas-powered vehicles.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

A Hybrid Electric Vehicle utilizes both a gas-powered engine and an electric motor. The battery can obtain energy through regenerative braking, a process by which the energy that would typically be lost as heat during braking is instead harnessed and used to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

Similar to a traditional hybrid vehicle, a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle employs both an engine and an electric motor, and the battery can be partially recharged through regenerative braking. However, PHEVs typically have larger batteries and can be plugged into the grid for recharging. A PHEV can travel several dozen miles before the gasoline engine kicks in. Once the all-electric range has been depleted, the PHEV behaves like a typical hybrid and can travel a distance on a full tank of gas.