What Type of Electric Vehicles Are There?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly common, and there are several types available to consumers. Here are some of the most popular:

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are fully electric and do not rely on a gasoline engine. These vehicles are powered by a rechargeable battery pack and are considered zero-emission vehicles because they do not produce tailpipe emissions or air pollution.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) use both a gasoline engine and an electric motor to power the vehicle. During regenerative braking, HEVs capture energy that would typically be lost in traditional gas-powered vehicles. The captured energy is then used to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) also have both a gasoline engine and an electric motor, but they have a larger battery and can recharge from the grid. PHEVs can travel on electric power alone for several dozen miles before the gas engine kicks in. Once the electric range is depleted, the vehicle operates as a traditional hybrid and can run on gasoline.