What Type of Electric Vehicles Are There?

The prevalence of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is on the rise worldwide. Those in the market for an EV may encounter a variety of options. Below are some of the most common types.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

When referring to EVs, Battery Electric Vehicles are typically what people are talking about. These fully electric vehicles rely solely on a rechargeable battery pack for energy and don't have a gasoline engine. BEVs are categorized as zero-emission vehicles since they don't emit any harmful tailpipe emissions or air pollutants that are often associated with gasoline-powered vehicles.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

Hybrid Electric Vehicles are equipped with both an electric motor and a gasoline-powered engine. The battery can be recharged through regenerative braking, which converts braking energy that is usually lost as heat into energy that can assist the gasoline engine during acceleration.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles also have an electric motor and a gasoline-powered engine. They can partially recharge their battery through regenerative braking like a traditional hybrid, but they have a larger battery and can also plug into a grid for recharging. PHEVs can travel a few dozen miles solely on electricity before the gasoline engine takes over, acting like a regular hybrid and covering a distance on gasoline.