What Type of Electric Vehicles Are There?

Electric vehicle (EV) ownership is on the rise throughout the country, and there are a variety of options available to potential buyers. Here is a summary of some of the most common types of EVs.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

BEVs are the most common type of EV and run entirely on electricity from a rechargeable battery pack without the use of a gasoline engine. Since they don't produce harmful emissions or air pollution, they are considered zero-emission vehicles.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

HEVs use both a gas-powered engine and an electric motor. During braking, the battery can be charged through regenerative braking, which captures energy that is typically lost during braking and repurposes it to help the gasoline engine during acceleration.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

PHEVs also have both an engine and an electric motor, but they differ from regular hybrids in that they typically have a larger battery and can be plugged into a grid to recharge. They can travel for several dozen miles on electricity before the gas engine kicks in, and once the all-electric range is depleted, they function like regular hybrids and can use gasoline to travel further.