The Different Types of Electric Vehicles

October 10th, 2022 by

The three types of electric vehicles are fully electric, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids. Fully electric vehicles run entirely on electric battery power, while hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles run on a mix of electric and gasoline.

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As electric vehicles become more commonplace on the road, drivers are becoming familiar with new vehicle terminology. Among these are the names of the three different types of electric vehicles. They are fully electric vehicles (or battery electric vehicles), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and hybrid electric vehicles.

Each EV type is more efficient than its gas engine counterparts. But all three types of cars are very different from one another as well. Here is a breakdown of the differences between all three.

Fully Electric Vehicles (Battery Electric Vehicles)

An overhead look of the new Mercedes-Benz EQS LEV

The most straightforward and efficient type of electric is the battery electric vehicle. This vehicle type is usually referred to simply as an electric vehicle. They run entirely on electric power and require no gas.

The batteries in fully electric vehicles typically have a very long charge range. For example, the Mercedes-Benz EQS has a range of up to 350 miles. As of 2022, the average range for a fully electric vehicle is around 250 miles.

In addition to increased efficiency, fully electric vehicles also have an advantage when it comes to maintenance. Because they rely solely on an electric battery for power, there are fewer interconnected parts involved under the hood. This reduces the amount of electric vehicle maintenance required and keeps maintenance and repair costs to a minimum for EV drivers.

 

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

Land Rover Range Rover Hybrid LEV driving through water.Plug-in hybrid vehicles can run on either electric power or gas power. PHEVs have a large electric battery that can power the car in shorter bursts without any reliance on gas power. PHEVs also have a gas tank that can be used on longer trips when the battery range runs out.

Most plug-in hybrids have an all-electric battery range between 20 and 40 miles. Plug-in hybrids, like the Range Rover Plug-in Hybrid, represent a perfect middle ground between an electric vehicle and a gas engine vehicle. Drivers can experience a clean and efficient fully electric driving experience sometimes, while still having the option to fill up on gas when needed.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

Standard Hybrid Electric Vehicles were the first type of EV to make it onto the road. However, this type of electric vehicle does not plug into an electrical outlet. Drivers of HEVs still rely on a gas combustion engine to get around, and must still fill up their car at the gas pump. But HEVs combine their gas engines with a powerful electric propulsion system, which dramatically improves their fuel economy. The average fuel economy for most HEVs is between 48-60 MPGs.

Types of Electric Vehicle Chargers

A person plugging in their luxury electric vehicle to charge.In addition to different types of electric vehicles, there are also different types of electric vehicle chargers. These are called Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 (or DC Fast charging) chargers.

Level 1 chargers are the lowest power level of all EV chargers. They use a 120V outlet, commonly found in any home. Level 1 charging speeds are quite slow, at a rate of about 5 miles of rage per hour.

Level 2 chargers can be added to your homes, and are found in many public spaces. These chargers use a 240V outlet and work at a rate of about 20-25 miles of range per hour. It takes most EVs between 6-8 hours to reach a full charge on a Level 2 charger.

Level 3 chargers or DC fast charging, offer the fastest charging speeds. These are mostly found in public charging stations in cities and along highways. Level 3 chargers use direct current, rather than alternating, and can fully charge an EV in under an hour.

Ray Catena’s friendly and courteous staff are our local LEV experts. Find your nearest Ray Catena dealership to see our LEV selection in person, or contact us today.

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