What Type of Electric Vehicles Are There?

The popularity of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is on the rise across the country, and consumers have a range of choices when it comes to selecting an EV. Below are some of the most common types summarized.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

When people talk about EVs, they typically mean Battery Electric Vehicles. These fully electric vehicles run without a gasoline engine, getting their power from a rechargeable battery pack. BEVs are considered zero-emission vehicles since they don't produce the harmful tailpipe emissions or air pollution that traditional gas-powered vehicles do.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

Hybrid Electric Vehicles are equipped with both a gas-powered engine and an electric motor. The battery can be charged through regenerative braking, which captures energy that's typically wasted as heat during braking and uses it to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles also have both an engine and an electric motor. Like traditional hybrids, they can recharge their battery through regenerative braking. However, PHEVs have a larger battery and can be plugged into the grid to recharge. They can travel for several dozen miles before the gas engine kicks in, and once the all-electric range is depleted, they function as regular hybrids and can travel on gasoline.