Electric Vehicle Overview

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Electric Vehicle (EV) Overview

An electric vehicle is any vehicle that operates by using an electric motor. Generally, these fall into four main categories - battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, extended-range electric vehicles (a variation of the plug-in hybrid) and hybrid electric vehicles.



Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) Vehicle is propelled by an electric motor Vehicle is fueled only with electricity Electric motor is powered by a very large battery Battery is charged with plug-in electric power and is aided by the vehicle's braking and coasting Read more about BEVs and how they charge.



Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Vehicle is propelled by both an electric motor and a gasoline engine Vehicle is fueled with both gasoline and electricity Electric motor is powered by a large battery Engine is powered by gasoline Battery is charged with plug-in electric power and is aided by the vehicle's braking and coasting Read more about PHEVs and how they charge.



Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) Vehicle is propelled by an electric motor Vehicle is fueled with both gasoline and electricity Electric motor is powered by a large battery Engine is powered by gasoline and runs the generator Generator maintains the battery charge at a minimum level Battery is charged with plug-in electric power and is aided by both the generator and the vehicle's braking and coasting Read more about EREVs and how they charge.



Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Vehicle is propelled by both an electric motor and a gasoline engine Vehicle is fueled only with gasoline Electric motor is powered by a small battery Engine is powered by gasoline Battery is charged by the vehicle's braking and coasting Read more about HEVs.