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Types of Electric Vehicles

Confused buying an EV

Choosing an Electric Vehicle

  • Confused about the various types of electric and hybrid vehicles?
  • Terminology such as BEV, PHEV, MHEV got you in a muddle?

We’re here to try and simplify things for you. The below section will help you better understand the various types of electric and hybrid vehicles in the market today!

Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)

Battery Electric Vehicles, often referred to as BEVs, are fully electric vehicles meaning they are powered solely by a rechargeable battery.  A Battery Electric Vehicle does not have a traditional combustion engine therefore are significantly quieter than conventional vehicles.

  • Quieter driving experience.
  • Zero emissions.
  • Charged by home charger or public network charging.
  • Many with Regenerative braking systems - when you lift off the throttle help replenish battery.
  • Range from 100- 350 miles on a single charge (depending upon model and size).
BEV
PHEV

Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV)

Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles, also known as PHEVs consist of both an electric battery along with an accompanying internal combustion engine (ICE), both capable of powering the car independently.  The battery can only be replenished by ‘Plugging-In’ the car to a suitable charge point, hence the term ‘Plug-In Hybrid’.  Once the electric power has been used, the traditional ICE engine takes over.  Plug-In Hybrids (PHEVs) are often the first step towards switching to a full battery electric vehicle (BEV)

  • Can be powered independently on either the electric or combustion engine making them suitable for both short and long journeys.
  • Regenerative braking.
  • Greater electric range than other types of hybrid vehicle.

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)

Hybrid Electric Vehicles, also known as HEVs or Self Charging Hybrids have an electric motor that selectively powers the engine. However, unlike the Plug-In Hybrids (PHEVs), it is not possible, or required, to plug the battery in to an external power supply to replenish the battery. 

  • Combines conventional combustion engine with an electric motor.
  • Electric motor usually kicks in when extra power is needed.
  • Batteries are re-charged by collecting wasted energy from elsewhere.
  • Electric motor and combustion engine can either work together or independently to power vehicle.
  • Batteries that power electric motor are re-charged by the combustion engine and regenerative braking can also store small amounts of energy.
  • If switched to electric only mode, can journey a few miles before the batteries need recharging.
HEV
MHEV

Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV)

Mild Hybrids are typically vehicles that have both a traditional internal combustion engine alongside an electric machine/generator

  • Small electric motor that sits alongside combustion engine.
  • Electric motor can’t be used independently, instead it assists the combustion engine to provide more power and improved driving efficiency.
  • Electric motor is powered by a small battery which is charged by the engine and converted through braking.
  • Mild Hybrids sit in between a standard internal combustion engine and a Hybrid.

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