What Type of Electric Vehicles Are There?

As electric vehicle (EV) ownership grows, potential buyers have a variety of options to consider. The following are some of the most common EV types available.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

When people discuss EVs, they typically refer to Battery Electric Vehicles. These fully electric vehicles don't have a gasoline engine, relying instead on rechargeable battery packs to power the vehicle. BEVs are zero-emission vehicles, meaning they don't produce harmful tailpipe emissions or air pollution as gasoline-powered vehicles do.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

Hybrid Electric Vehicles combine a gasoline-powered engine and an electric motor. During regenerative braking, the battery can be charged. This energy is typically lost as heat in the brake pads and rotors of a conventional gasoline engine, but in a hybrid, it is repurposed to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles also combine an engine and an electric motor. Like traditional hybrids, they can charge their battery partially through regenerative braking. They typically have larger batteries and the ability to connect to the grid for recharging. PHEVs can travel several dozen miles solely on electricity before the gasoline engine is needed. After the all-electric range is exhausted, PHEVs operate like traditional hybrids and can travel on a tank of gasoline.