What Type of Electric Vehicles Are There?

The number of people owning Electric Vehicles (EVs) is rising throughout the country. When shoppers are looking for an EV, they may have a variety of choices to consider. We've compiled a list of some of the most common types.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

When discussing EVs, people are generally referring to Battery Electric Vehicles. These fully electric vehicles do not rely on a gasoline engine, as they are powered by a rechargeable battery pack. BEVs are categorized as zero-emission vehicles since they do not produce any harmful emissions or air pollution, which are often seen in gasoline-powered cars.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

A Hybrid Electric Vehicle employs both an electric motor and a gas-powered engine. The battery's energy can be recovered through regenerative braking. Typically, in traditional gas-powered cars, this braking energy is lost as heat, but with a hybrid, it is repurposed to assist the gas engine during acceleration.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle also combines an engine and an electric motor. They can partially recharge their battery through regenerative braking, similar to regular hybrids. However, they differ from regular hybrids in that they typically have a larger battery and can be charged by plugging into a grid. A PHEV can travel for several dozen miles before the gas engine kicks in. When the all-electric range is exhausted, the PHEV works like a regular hybrid and can travel a distance on gasoline.