What Type of Electric Vehicles Are There?
Electric vehicle (EV) ownership is on the rise nationwide, offering consumers a variety of options to choose from. We have summarized some of the most common types of EVs below.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
When discussing EVs, a Battery Electric Vehicle is typically what comes to mind. These fully electric vehicles rely solely on a rechargeable battery pack for energy, as opposed to a gasoline engine. BEVs are considered zero-emission vehicles as they do not emit harmful pollutants or cause air pollution hazards like their gasoline-powered counterparts.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
A Hybrid Electric Vehicle combines a gas-powered engine with an electric motor. The battery can be charged through regenerative braking, which captures energy that is typically lost as heat during braking and repurposes it 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 traditional hybrid, PHEVs can partially recharge their battery through regenerative braking. However, they differ in that they have a larger battery and can be plugged into the grid to recharge. PHEVs can travel several dozen miles on electric power alone before switching to gasoline-powered assistance once the battery is depleted.
