What Type of Electric Vehicles Are There?

The number of people owning Electric Vehicles (EVs) is rising throughout the country. There are numerous options available to consumers when searching for an EV type. We've provided a summary of some of the most popular models below.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

When referring to EVs, a Battery Electric Vehicle is typically what comes to mind. These completely electric vehicles do not use a gasoline engine and instead rely on a rechargeable battery pack to power the vehicle. Since BEVs do not produce harmful tailpipe emissions or air pollution hazards that gasoline-powered vehicles typically create, they are considered zero-emission vehicles.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

A Hybrid Electric Vehicle incorporates both a gasoline-powered engine and an electric motor. Regenerative braking can generate energy for the battery. While conventional gas-powered engines typically waste this braking energy as heat in the brake pads and rotors, in hybrids, the energy is repurposed to support the gasoline engine during acceleration.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

A Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle also combines an engine and an electric motor. Like a regular hybrid, PHEVs can partially recharge their battery through regenerative braking. Unlike regular hybrids, they usually have a larger battery and can connect to a grid for recharging. PHEVs can travel for several dozen miles before the gasoline engine provides support. When the all-electric range is depleted, a PHEV operates like a regular hybrid and can travel a distance on a tank of gasoline.