The 4 Types of Electric Vehicles and How to Charge Them
Electric Vehicles (EVs) are becoming more pertinent throughout the U.S., with 16% of new car sales in 2023. As millions cruise on roadways alongside their gas-powered counterparts, the majority of the U.S. is still new to electrification and the different types of EVs on the market. In fact, there are four main types of electric vehicles each with its own charging requirements. This quick-reference guide outlines the different types of EVs on the market, how to charge them, and what you should know before heading to the showroom.
Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)
Also known as “all-electric vehicles”, BEVs are powered and fueled by electricity only. The “fuel” comes from your domestic electricity supply or a commercial EV station, and the drivetrain is 100% battery-powered.
There are roughly 2.4 million BEVs on U.S. roads. As a result, they tend to have a distinctive, slightly futuristic look that sets them apart from conventional vehicles, they drive silently, and handle much more responsively. They don’t even use power when stuck in traffic.
Earlier BEVs had a range of around 100 miles on a single charge, but today’s models can comfortably stretch to 300 miles via a 60-100 kWh battery pack.
However, since BEVs rely solely on the amount of stored electricity in their batteries, they require charging infrastructure to make long-distance travel possible.
Because they have 90% fewer moving parts than internal combustion engine vehicles, BEVs are the most fuel-efficient and affordable vehicles to maintain of all. The cost of BEVs can range from $30,000 - $100,000. While that is a very steep spread, popular vehicles like Tesla or the Chevy Bolt start under $40,000. Some electric vehicles even qualify for federal tax credits, worth up to $7,500, but these depend on satisfying critical mineral and battery component criteria.
Take a look at the graph below to see the battery size and driving range for some battery electric vehicles available today.
How do you charge your battery electric vehicle?
Most BEVs come standard with a 120-volt level 1 charger, but BEV owners have three charging options:
Level 1 (AC): You plug the cable that comes with your car into your domestic socket and leave it overnight.
Level 2 (AC): Using the same cable, you plug into the socket at your home (if adapted), workplace, or commercial EV charging station. You’ll be ready to roll again in a few hours.
Level 3 (DCFC): This is your fast roadside charging option using DC current. It’s only available at commercial EV charging stations and uses a different plug.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
PHEVs give you the peace of mind of a backup fuel source. That’s because they combine an internal combustion engine and a battery-powered motor. Don’t think you’re doubling up on power, however. Instead, you’re compromising on the performance of both and will have to settle for a less powerful petrol-driven engine and an electric motor with a lower driving range.
You charge the battery of a PHEV as you would a BEV, via Level 1 and Level 2 charging but, you cannot charge using DCFC power. Unlike hybrid vehicles (see below) PHEVs do not charge the battery using the internal combustion engine while underway.
A typical PHEV has a battery of about 10-15 kWh, which provides 20-40 miles of electric range. After the battery is depleted, the gas backup kicks in for another 300+ miles.
Due to the smaller battery pack, PHEVs cost less than the all-electric BEV. A non-luxury PHEV costs around $25,000 to $35,000. Like BEVs, however, plug-in hybrids are also eligible for the federal tax credit.
Below are some plug-in hybrids available in the U.S. market today.
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)
Hybrid Electric Vehicles were the first environmentally friendly cars to hit the market. Purists would argue that they are not true EVs, however, since there is no connector to charge a battery. Instead, the internal combustion engine charges a battery-powered motor using regenerative braking.
One driver’s hybrid is another driver’s compromise, you might argue. The speed and handling of a hybrid lack the “zip” of an EV. On the flip side, you’ll see lower maintenance and fuel costs if you’re switching from a gas-powered vehicle. Additionally, HEVs tend to use less fuel than conventional petrol or diesel cars, and they emit lower levels of CO2.
One thing that is important to clarify, though, is that you can’t drive a hybrid in electric mode if you run out of gas (unlike a PHEV). In fact, they could be less efficient on longer journeys, as the electric motor is only used to assist the petrol or diesel engine.
The cost of HEVs are competitive with traditional vehicles but cost less than a BEV and PHEV–with the more affordable hybrids costing less than $25,000. The graph below, lists some of the HEVs available in the market today.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)
There is a fourth type of Electric Vehicle, but they’re something of a rarity for now. Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEV) are fueled by hydrogen gas, which creates a chemical reaction to power an electric motor. No recharging from an external source is involved.
FCEVs can reach around 300 miles on one tank of pure hydrogen. However, the use of vehicles is limited by three main factors: available hydrogen storage/distribution technology, cost to produce hydrogen, and lack of infrastructure for fueling/re-fuelling.
Currently, there are only around 15,000 FCEVs on the roads and only two manufacturers currently in the U.S. (Hyundai and Toyota).
The Future of EVs
Out of the four types of electric vehicles, BEVs, PHEVs, and HEVs are commonly seen on the road today but, it's important to prospective EV buyers to understand the distinctive characteristics, operational dynamics, and suitability of each vehicle type. Overall, as electric vehicle technology continues to improve, we can expect to see even more vehicle options in the future.
The next step is infrastructure that meets the needs of greater EV driver numbers on the roads each year. We encourage you to explore our other related blog posts such as EV plug types and our coverage of smart charging.
To locate the nearest charger, check your charging status, easily make payments, and stay up to date on your account, download the EV Connect Driver App.