There are many different types of electric vehicles available, ranging from hot hatchbacks and coupes to SUVs and pickup trucks. However, what are the differences between them?
Among the electric vehicles, some run solely on battery power; others, referred to as hybrids, combine an electric motor with an internal combustion engine in various ways.
In addition, there are electric cars powered by fuel cells, as well as electric cars powered by solar power. An overview of the different types of electric vehicles and how they work can be found in this guide.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs)
BEVs are also called plug-ins or pure EVs. They use an electric motor and run solely on battery power, which means that they produce zero emissions from driving. A public charging station is an option for BEVs. Besides fast charging outlets available from car manufacturers, a qualified electrician can also install fast charging outlets in your home to charge your car faster.
Regenerative braking can also draw some charge from BEVs. A car is charged by converting the kinetic energy created by breaking into electrical power.
Examples of Available BEV’s
- Audi e-tron
- Audi e-tron GT
- Audi e-tron Sportback
- BMW i3, BMW i4
- Chevrolet Bolt EV
- Chevrolet Bolt EUV
- Ford Mustang Mach-e
- GMC Hummer EV
- Hyundai Ioniq Electric
- Hyundai KONA Electric
- Jaguar I-Pace, Kia EV6
- Kia Niro EV
- Lucid Air Dream Edition
- Mazda MX-30
- Mercedes EQS
- MG5 EV
- Mini Cooper Electric
- Mini Cooper SE Electric
- Nissan LEAF
- Nissan LEAF Plus
- Peugeot e-208
- Polestar 2
- Porsche Taycan 4S
- Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo
- Rivian R1S, Rivian R1T
- Skoda ENYAQ iV
- Tesla Model X
- Tesla Model Y
- Tesla Model S
- Tesla Model 3
- Tesla Model S Plaid
- Volkswagen ID.4
- Volvo C40 Recharge
- Volvo XC40 Recharge.
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)
An HEV is powered by a combination of petrol or diesel and batteries. As with BEVs, these cars do not require recharging. They use regenerative braking to recharge the batteries. They combine a conventional engine with an electric motor. The petrol you use will still get you a long way, but you won’t need to refill it as often.
types of HEVS:
Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs)
These vehicles are also called micro hybrids, power assist hybrids, and battery assisted hybrid electric vehicles (BAHVs). A MHEV can’t drive on electricity alone and isn’t as fuel-efficient as a full hybrid. The battery pack and electric motor provide the vehicle’s power and its ability to shut off the engine when it stops.
Full Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FHEVs)
There are other advantages to full hybrid cars, such as larger battery packs and stronger electric motors, that allow them to travel shorter distances at lower speeds on battery power.
Examples of Available HEVs
- Audi A8 Le-tron
- Audi Q7 SUV, Buick LaCrosse
- Dodge Ram 1500 eTorque
- Ford Focus MHEV
- Ford Mondeo Hybrid
- Honda CR-Z
- Honda Insight
- Hyundai IONIQ HYBRID
- Hyundai Tucson 48V
- Kia Niro Hybrid
- Land Rover Discovery Sport MHEV
- Lexus CT200h
- Mercedes-Benz S 400 HYBRID
- Range Rover Evoque
- Renault Clio E-Tech
- Silverado 1500
- Suzuki Swift SHVS
- Toyota Prius
- Toyota Yaris Hybrid.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)
A PHEV has a motor that combines petrol or diesel with batteries. It differs from HEVs in that the battery can also be recharged through a standard power outlet at home or in a public charging station. PHEVs are capable of traveling greater distances by relying solely on batteries.
A PHEV’s batteries will be recharged via regenerative braking when the power of the battery drops.
Examples of Available PHEVs
- Audi A3 E-Tron
- Audi Q5 TFSIe PHEV
- Audi A7 TFSIe
- Bentley Bentagya
- BMW 225xe
- BMW 330e
- BMWi8
- BMWx5 xdrive40e
- Chevy Volt
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Fiat 500e
- Ford C-Max Energi
- Ferrari SF90 Stradale
- Ford Escape PHEV
- Ford Fusion Energi
- Hyundai IONIQ PHEV
- Hyundai Sonata
- Jeep Wrangler 4xe
- Karma Revero GT
- Kia Optima
- Land Rover Defender PHEV
- Land Rover Range Rover PHEV
- Lincoln Aviator Grand Touring
- Mercedes C300e
- Mercedes C530e
- Mercedes E350e SE
- Mercedes GLE550e
- Mercedes S550e
- Mini Cooper SE Countryman
- Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
- Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid
- Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid
- Skoda Octavia iV
- Subaru Crosstrek PHEV
- Toyota Prius, Toyota RAV4
- Volkswagen Golf GTE
- Volkswagen Passat GTE
- Volvo XC90 TB
- Volvo XC60 T8 PHEV.
Hydrogen or fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)
Fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs) convert fuel into electricity via electrochemical reactions with hydrogen and oxygen, depending on how they are designed. FCEVs are an emerging technology in Australia, but they have not yet been widely adopted.
Examples of Available FCEVs
- BMW iX5
- Honda Clarity
- Hyundai Nexo
- Hyundai Nexo Blue
- Hyundai Staria Fuel Cell
- Ineos Grenadier Hydrogen
- Kia FK
- Land Rover Defender Fuel Cell
- Range Rover FCEV
- Toyota Mirai LE
- Toyota Mirai Limited
- Toyota Mirai XLE.
Solar Electric Vehicles (SEVs)
The solar electric vehicle (SEV) converts sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells. This type of electric vehicle uses solar panels to generate electricity. When compared to a standard BEV, solar energy is used to charge up the battery pack, allowing the battery pack to travel for longer distances.
Providing free solar energy to the vehicle owner will potentially reduce the overall costs of ownership of a solar electric vehicle, since it is a completely free source of energy. In order for your SEV to function, you must have the sun; if it doesn’t, it will act like an all-electric vehicle.
EV chargers of level 1, level 2, and level 3 are available. Aptera, Lightyear, and Sono Motors are some of the companies that manufacture electric vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of electric vehicles?
A vehicle that runs on electricity is classified as one of three types (EVs):
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): Tesla Model 3 and Nissan Leaf are two examples of fully electric vehicles powered by only an electric motor and a battery pack that must be recharged from external power sources.
- Â Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): Toyota Prius Prime and Chevrolet Volt are examples of hybrid vehicles that combine a gasoline engine with an electric motor and a battery. These vehicles can be charged from an external source, but they can also run on gasoline when the battery is depleted.
- Â Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs): The Toyota Prius and Honda Accord Hybrid are two examples of hybrid vehicles that have internal combustion engines and electric motors. The electric motor recharges the battery, but there’s no need to plug them in.
What are the three types of electrified vehicles?
Electrified vehicles fall into three categories:
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): Batteries are the only source of power for fully electric vehicles.
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): Externally rechargeable vehicles that feature both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine.
- Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs): An internal combustion engine and electric motor combined into one vehicle, but none of the batteries are externally charged.
How many different electric vehicles are there?
Globally, electric vehicles are available in hundreds of different models, which fall mainly into the following categories:
- BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles)
- PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles)
- HEVs (Hybrid Electric Vehicles)
With the growth of the EV market, new models are being introduced regularly by numerous automakers.
What is a Type 2 electric vehicle?
There are two types of connectors used in European electric vehicles. Type 2 is also known as Mennekes. It can be used for both AC charging and some DC fast charging. It is possible to use Type 2 chargers with both single-phase and three-phase power supplies at public charging stations throughout Europe.
There are several popular Type 2 EV models on the market, including the Tesla Model S, the Renault Zoe, and the BMW i3.
