Types of Electric Cars: What do They all Mean?
While the ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars may have been pushed back to 2035, there is no doubt that the future of driving lies with electric.
If you’re considering buying an electric vehicle, you may be wondering what type will work best for you. There are many different types of electric vehicles that all sit under the umbrella term ‘EV’ - which can mean anything from pure electric vehicles to hybrids that boost efficiency.
With lots of acronyms and various variations of EVs, it can be hard to know where to start. To help you on your way, we’ve broken down the six key types of electric cars on the market to show you how they work and what you may want to consider before making a purchase.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs):
A vehicle that runs purely off electricity and must be charged using an at-home socket or dedicated charging point.
Battery electric vehicles (also known as all-electric vehicles), store energy in the car’s rechargeable battery which is then used to power the car’s electric motor, rather than a traditional combustion engine. For more information on this process, check out our guide on how electric cars work.
Advantages of a BEV
· No emissions: As battery electric vehicles use no fossil fuels, they produce zero emissions so are a great option for the environmentally conscious.
· Instant acceleration: Unlike petrol and diesel engines, which need to rev up and shift gears, electric motors provide power directly to the wheels without delay.
· Quiet driving: With fewer moving parts, no noisy combustion engine and no exhaust system, BEVs offer a much quieter driving experience.
Hybrid electric vehicles
A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) combines a petrol or diesel engine with an electric motor. The car then uses both sources to power the car. HEVs cannot be plugged into the mains to charge, they instead use regenerative braking to recharge the battery (i.e. they are self-charging).
The main engine is still a traditional fuel engine and the electric battery is much smaller, so will only be able to last a few miles before switching to fuel. However, HEVs still produce less CO2 than conventional vehicles.
Advantages of a HEV
· Better fuel efficiency: Hybrid vehicles use both an electric motor and a petrol/diesel engine, reducing fuel consumption when compared to traditional cars.
· Cost savings: Reduced fuel usage leads to lower running costs.
· Lower emissions: HEVs produce fewer pollutants and greenhouse gases compared to conventional petrol cars (although more than fully electric vehicles).
· Regenerative braking: Energy is recaptured during braking and used to recharge the battery, enhancing efficiency.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs)
Plug-in hybrids have both an electric motor as well as an internal combustion engine powered by petrol or diesel. As a result, they must be both charged at an electric socket and filled with fuel and a petrol station.
Unlike a BEV that runs solely on electric, PHEVs usually work on electric at first, then once levels are depleted, switch to traditional fuel. This means plug-in hybrids can still run fully on petrol or diesel as a traditional combustion engine car would.
Advantages of a PHEV
· Reduced emissions for short journey: Due to the fact PHEVs use the electric energy stored in the battery first, for any short journeys, you will most likely be running emissions-free.
· No range anxiety: Long been cited as a barrier to purchase when it comes to EVs, a plug-in hybrid reduces the worry around range, as the option to fuel up still exists for those longer journeys when the electric charge on your car may not last.
· Save money on fuel: As PHEVs use electric energy first, the amount of fuel needed is reduced, and therefore, the amount you spend on fuel also drops.
Mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs)
Mild hybrid electric vehicles combine a traditional internal combustion engine with a small (much smaller than in a standard HEV) electric motor. The electric motor assists the engine with tasks like starting the car and providing extra power when accelerating, but unlike standard hybrid electric cars, it doesn’t power the car on its own. So, whilst offering better fuel economy and lower emissions than a non-electric model, they produce more tailpipe emissions than other hybrid models.
Advantages of a MHEV
· No need to charge: MHEVs are self-charging, with regenerative braking powering the battery.
· Cheaper to purchase: Due to the much smaller battery, MHEVs are cheaper for manufacturers to produce and, as a result, usually cheaper to buy than full hybrids and other electric models.
· Lower emissions: Whilst they produce more emissions than other electric and hybrid models, MHEVs do still produce fewer pollutants when compared with traditional petrol and diesel cars.
Range-extended electric vehicles (RE-EVs)
Range-extended electric vehicles primarily run on an electric motor powered by a battery. When the battery is low, a small onboard petrol or diesel engine (called a range extender) kicks in to generate electricity and recharge the battery. This allows you to continue driving without having to stop and charge. Essentially, the range extender helps to extend the driving range of the electric vehicle, combining the benefits of electric driving with the extended range of a gasoline engine.
Advantages of a RE-EV
· No stopping required: As the petrol or diesel engine kicks in to recharge the battery when low, there’s no need to stop and recharge on those longer journeys where the battery won’t last.
· Lower emissions: As electric is the primary source of power, RE-EVs have much lower emissions than cars with conventional combustion engines and many other hybrid models.
· Electric driving experience: Enjoy the benefits of electric driving, like instant torque and quiet operation, for most of your journey.
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)
An FCEV, or Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle, uses hydrogen gas to generate electricity. Often referred to as hydrogen vehicles, unlike other EVs, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles do not need charging. Instead, you fill-up the vehicle at a hydrogen filling station (just like you would with a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle), and the hydrogen then combines with oxygen in a fuel cell to create electricity, which powers the car's electric motor. The only thing they emit through the tailpipe is water vapour, making them a great clean option. Whilst hydrogen filling stations are currently few and far between in the UK, there are several infrastructure projects underway to make them more accessible.
Advantages of a FCEV
· Zero emissions: FCEVs only emit water vapour, making them very environmentally friendly.
· Quick refuelling: Hydrogen tanks can be refilled in just a few minutes, like petrol cars, however availability of hydrogen refuelling stations in the UK is still something to consider.
· Long range: FCEVs often have a longer driving range compared to battery electric vehicles.
· Quiet and smooth: They provide a quiet, smooth driving experience due to their electric motors.
Other questions you may have about types of electric cars
Will HEVs and PHEVs be phased out?
In short, yes. In Boris Johnson’s original commitment to the ban of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, sales of new hybrids were set to be banned from 2035. After Rishi Sunak delayed the original 2030 target date to 2035, it became unclear what this meant for hybrids, but the move away from the use of fossil fuels in cars remains clear.
How many different types of electric cars are there?
There are six main types of electric vehicle: BEVS, HEVs, PHEVs, MHEVs, RE-EVs, FCEVs. Full explanations of each type can be found above.
What is the biggest selling electric car?
The Tesla Model Y was the best-selling EV model in the UK in 2023, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Hopefully this guide has helped you understand all the different types of electric cars that are currently available on the market. Check out our guide for more information on how electric cars work, and if you’d like more assistance with assessing the condition of your electric vehicle, book an MOT at your closest Eurorepar centre.
