Types of Electric Vehicles – A Complete Guide
Guide
Electric vehicles (EVs) refers to cars or other vehicles with motors that are powered by electricity, rather than liquid fuels. In this guide we'll go through each type in detail.
There are currently four main types of electric vehicles:
- Battery Electric Vehicle (BEVs).
- Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEVs).
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEVs).
- Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEVs).
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Also known as ‘All-Electric Vehicles’ (AEV), BEVs are fully-electric, meaning that they are solely powered by electricity and don’t have a petrol, diesel or LPG engine, fuel tank, or tailpipe, and therefore do not emit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
BEVs run entirely on a battery-powered electric drivetrain, which is powered by electricity. The electricity used to drive the vehicle is stored in a large battery pack which can be charged by plugging into the electricity grid. The charged battery pack then provides power to one or more electric motors to run the electric car.
Popular makes and models in Australia:
Tesla Model 3
Hyundai IONIQ 5
Kia EV6
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEVs)
HEVs have both an engine and an electric motor. Instead of using an external plug to charge the vehicle, the electricity generated by the HEV’s braking system is used to recharge the battery. This is called ‘regenerative braking’ and is also used in BEVs, PHEVs and FCEVs.HEVs can be either mild or full hybrids, and full hybrids can be designed in series or parallel configurations.
- Mild hybrids use a battery and electric motor to help power the vehicle and can allow the engine to shut off when the vehicle stops (such as at traffic lights or in stop-and-go traffic), further improving fuel economy. Mild hybrid systems cannot power the vehicle using electricity alone. These vehicles generally cost less than full hybrids but provide less fuel economy benefit than full hybrids.
- Full hybrids have larger batteries and more powerful electric motors, which can power the vehicle for short distances and at low speeds. These vehicles cost more than mild hybrids but provide better fuel economy benefits.
Popular makes and models in Australia:
Toyota Corolla Hybrid
Mazda 3
Toyota Camry Hybrid
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEVs)
PHEVs have two different motors – an internal combustion engine fuelled by petrol or diesel and a battery-powered electric motor that can be charged from an external electricity source. PHEVs can be recharged by plugging into an external electricity source and also refuelled at petrol stations. PHEVs can also be recharged while driving by the internal combustion engine and through regenerative braking.
They’re a popular choice for people who want to go electric for short trips and use fuel for longer distances. We don’t recommend them at Vyro as there are a few downsides to this type of vehicle: the car needs two systems – fuel and electric – so maintenance costs can be higher, and it still emits greenhouse gases from the tailpipe, which defeats the purpose of going with a ‘green’ vehicle.
Popular makes and models in Australia:
Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV
Ford Escape PHEV
Volvo XC90 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEVs)
Like all-electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) use electricity to power an electric motor. In contrast to other electric vehicles, FCEVs produce electricity using a fuel cell powered by hydrogen, rather than drawing electricity from only a battery.
FCEVs are fuelled with pure hydrogen gas stored in a tank on the vehicle. Similar to conventional internal combustion engine vehicles, they can fuel in less than four minutes and have a driving range over 600 kilometres.
Popular makes and models in Australia:
There aren’t any FCEVs available for sale in Australia yet, but the following makes and models will be coming soon:
Toyota Mirai
Hyundai Nexo