Electric vehicles come in many different types, ranging from fully electric battery-powered vehicles (BEVs) to hybrids that rely on gasoline (HEVs), with a variety of options in between. Some electric vehicles even use fuel cells or gasoline generators to produce electricity, instead of relying solely on large battery packs.

What all these vehicles have in common is that they use an electric motor to propel the vehicle, either on its own or together with a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine (ICE). Even though all of these vehicles use electricity to some extent, only battery electric vehicles are considered true EVs.

A Simple Overview

The world of electric vehicles (EVs) can seem overwhelming, but you can simplify it by dividing them into a few key categories:

EV/BEV: Battery electric vehicles are fully electric and often referred to as EVs or, more specifically, BEVs. These vehicles run on a rechargeable battery that powers an electric motor. They can be charged slowly through a household outlet or more quickly at a public charging station.
HEV: Hybrid electric vehicles use both an electric motor and a gas-powered internal combustion engine (ICE). While there are different types of HEVs, most start using the electric motor and switch to the gas engine as needed. You cannot plug HEVs into an external power source; the battery charges through the gas engine and regenerative braking.
PHEV: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are similar to standard hybrids but can be plugged in to charge. This type generally has a longer all-electric range compared to traditional hybrids.
EREV: Extended-range electric vehicles operate primarily on electric power but use a gasoline generator to provide electricity when the battery runs low. Unlike standard hybrids, they don't have a conventional ICE, just the generator.
FCEV: Fuel cell electric vehicles are unique in that they use hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity instead of relying on a rechargeable battery. They require hydrogen refueling stations instead of traditional charging.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV)

Battery electric vehicles, or BEVs, are entirely powered by electricity. These vehicles don’t have internal combustion engines, meaning no tailpipes or emissions during use. Instead, the battery must be recharged through an external source.

You can charge a BEV either at home or a public charging station. If you want a faster home setup, you can install a charging station. Regular charging, known as Level 1 charging, involves plugging the vehicle into a standard outlet, which typically provides 3 to 5 miles of driving range per hour of charging. A Level 2 charging setup, with a dedicated charging station, can speed this up to 10 to 20 miles per hour.

BEVs can also be charged at DC fast chargers, which significantly cut down the wait time. For example, a BEV can reach around 80 percent of its full charge in as little as 20 minutes at a DC fast charger, depending on the model.

Since BEVs rely solely on electricity, range anxiety can be a concern. However, BEV ranges have improved significantly, with some models traveling up to 400 miles on a single charge. Even more affordable models can usually go about 100 miles per charge, making them suitable for city driving or short commutes. For longer trips, some planning might be required to ensure charging stations are available, but they are becoming more common in many regions.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV)

Navigating the world of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) can be tricky, but they became popular because they were the first form of electric vehicles to enter the mainstream. These hybrids are similar to traditional gasoline-powered cars but come with both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine (ICE).

The electric motor and ICE work together, and thanks to the electric motor, the ICE is often smaller than it would be in a regular gas-powered car.

Typically, when you start an HEV, the electric motor kicks in first, drawing power from the vehicle's batteries. Once the electric motor can no longer handle the demand, such as during heavy acceleration, the ICE takes over. The ICE also charges the vehicle’s battery during operation. In some models, regenerative braking is used to replenish the battery as well.

When the electric motor is not in use, it usually reverses its function and generates electricity to recharge the battery, extending the vehicle's range and reducing emissions. Still, HEVs generally produce about two-thirds of the emissions that a regular gasoline vehicle would.

The main advantage of HEVs is that they are easy to use—drivers fuel them up like a regular car, and the electric components operate automatically without driver intervention. However, the downside is that HEVs still rely on fossil fuels and generate a significant amount of carbon emissions.

Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV): Parallel and Series

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles come in two types: parallel and series. The typical PHEV is a parallel hybrid, while the series version is also known as an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV).

The main difference between them is that standard PHEVs have an internal combustion engine connected to the drivetrain, like an HEV or a traditional gasoline car. In contrast, EREVs use a gasoline generator to supply electricity to the electric motor and battery, without directly driving the wheels.

What sets PHEVs apart is their ability to be charged via an external power source, just like a BEV. However, they still have both an electric motor and an ICE that can work together or independently. The battery in a PHEV is usually larger than in an HEV, allowing the electric motor to handle more of the driving and the ICE to kick in for extra power or extended range.

PHEVs are called parallel hybrids because the electric motor and ICE can work in tandem, both being connected to the drivetrain. This means the vehicle can run on electricity alone, the gasoline engine alone, or a combination of both. Essentially, a PHEV is a blend of a BEV and a traditional gasoline-powered car.

Some PHEVs can travel up to 50 miles on battery power alone, while others use the ICE more frequently, making it difficult to avoid some level of carbon emissions.

Like standard PHEVs, EREVs also use a combination of battery power and gasoline. However, EREVs are primarily electric vehicles and do not have a conventional internal combustion engine. Instead, they rely on a gasoline-powered generator that produces electricity for the electric motor when the battery is running low.

In essence, an EREV is like a BEV with an onboard emergency generator. You charge them just like other PHEVs, and they mainly operate using battery power. But when the battery gets low, the generator starts up to power the motor and charge the battery.

In all-electric mode, EREVs produce no emissions, but when the gasoline generator is running, they do emit carbon. The downside is that the all-electric range of an EREV is usually limited to around 80 miles or less.

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)

Fuel cell electric vehicles are a different breed of electric vehicle, using hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity rather than rechargeable batteries. The fuel cell creates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, and the only byproducts are water vapor and warm air.

FCEVs must be refueled with hydrogen, much like gasoline-powered vehicles need to be filled up with fuel. However, while gas stations are easy to find, hydrogen refueling stations are scarce, mostly concentrated in a few parts of California.

Due to the limited availability of hydrogen stations, FCEVs are primarily restricted to regions like California and are not practical for long road trips. Even though some FCEVs can travel up to 366 miles on a single tank, you would still be limited by how far you are from the nearest hydrogen station.

For example, if you live in Los Angeles, you wouldn’t be able to take a weekend trip to Las Vegas, as there are no hydrogen stations available along the way to refuel for the return journey.

Why So Many Types of EVs?

Electric vehicle technology has been around for over two centuries, but only in recent decades has it seen rapid development and attention.

Battery limitations and range anxiety were the biggest obstacles to adoption, and hybrids were created as a bridge between new battery technology and the demand for more eco-friendly vehicles.

Plug-in hybrids also play a role in this transition, as they reduce emissions without eliminating the internal combustion engine entirely.

While the ultimate goal is zero-emission vehicles, pure electric BEVs are the most likely candidate for the future. Many high-end BEVs already outperform traditional vehicles in terms of range and speed, and as battery technology improves, the gap between electric and gasoline-powered vehicles will continue to shrink.

FCEVs are another exciting option, but with a lack of infrastructure to support them, BEVs are leading the charge toward a cleaner future.

Electric Vehicle Comparison Table

Feature	BEV	FCEV	HEV	PHEV	EREV
Grid Connected (Plug-in)	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes
Primary Energy Source	Electric Batteries (Charged from grid)	Hydrogen (Fuel Cell Converts Hydrogen to Electricity)	Gasoline with Electric Assist	Gasoline & Electric (Battery)	Electric Battery (Gasoline engine for backup)
Charging Infrastructure	Widespread home and public charging	Limited to hydrogen refueling stations	Not required (self-charging)	Requires both charging station and gas station	Requires both charging station and gas station
Internal Combustion Engine	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
CO2 Emissions	Zero (While driving)	Zero (Emits water vapor)	Low (Gasoline + electric assist)	Low (50%-90% reduction)	Low (Significant reduction)
Fuel Efficiency (MPGe)	100-130+ MPGe	60-70 MPGe equivalent	40-60 MPG (in hybrid mode)	60-100 MPGe (electric), 40-50 MPG (gasoline)	80-100 MPGe (electric), 40-50 MPG (gasoline)
Range	150-400 miles	300-400 miles	500-700 miles (combined)	10-50 miles electric, 300-600 miles combined	40-80 miles electric, 300-600 miles combined
Operation Mode	Pure electric	Pure electric (via fuel cell)	Primarily gasoline with electric assist	Can switch between electric and gasoline modes	Primarily electric, with gasoline as range extender
Energy Regeneration	Regenerative braking	Regenerative braking	Regenerative braking	Regenerative braking	Regenerative braking
Environmental Impact	Zero emissions; depends on energy source	Zero emissions at tailpipe	Reduced emissions; less fuel consumption	Lower emissions; depends on usage	Lower emissions with extended electric range
Market Availability	High (many models)	Limited (mainly in hydrogen regions)	High (common in markets)	Growing (many new models)	Limited (few manufacturers)
Price Range	$30,000 - $150,000+	$50,000 - $75,000	$20,000 - $90,000	$30,000 - $80,000	$40,000 - $55,000