What Type of Electric Vehicles Are There?

The number of Electric Vehicles (EVs) being purchased is increasing nationwide. When searching for an EV type, consumers may encounter several options. Below are some of the most common ones summarized.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

Battery Electric Vehicles are the EV type often referred to. These vehicles are entirely electric and don't use a gasoline engine. The rechargeable battery pack powers the vehicle. BEVs are classified as zero-emission vehicles because they don't emit harmful tailpipe emissions or air pollution, which are commonly found in gasoline-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 via regenerative braking. Usually, this braking energy is dissipated as heat in the brake pads and rotors with a traditional gas-powered engine. However, with a hybrid, the energy is repurposed to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle also uses both an engine and an electric motor. Like a regular hybrid vehicle, they can partially recharge their battery through regenerative braking. However, PHEVs typically have a larger battery and can recharge by plugging into a grid. A PHEV can travel several dozen miles on all-electric power before the gas engine kicks in. Once the all-electric range is depleted, a PHEV acts like a regular hybrid and can travel a distance on a tank of gasoline.