What types of EV are available?
There are several types of electric vehicle on the market. They run from fully electric BEVs (battery electric vehicles) to MHEV (mild hybrid electric vehicles) which only use their batteries to support a combustion engine.
Fully electric
Battery Electric Vehicles - BEVs
These are the purest EVs, in that they are powered by electricity alone.
BEVs have no internal combustion engine and produce zero tailpipe emissions, making BEVs the most environmentally friendly choice, particularly for city driving.
The battery range for a typical 5-door saloon is almost 300 miles
However, since BEVs can only be powered with electricity, it is vital to consider your charging options before choosing this type of vehicle.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle - FCEVs
FCEVs use a reservoir of hydrogen to power an electric motor.
They have a limited footprint in the market because the technology is comparatively new – there are just 14 hydrogen fuelling stations in the UK at time of writing (four more are planned).
Refuelling is as quick as refilling a petrol tank, and the range is comparable with EVs.
These cars can be among the most expensive EVs on the market.
Hybrid EVs
Hybrid Electric Vehicles - HEVs
HEVs are powered by a petrol or diesel (ICE) engine and one or more battery powered electric motors.
The electric motor assists the internal combustion engine, which remains the main method of propulsion.
HEVs are more fuel efficient and produce marginally lower emissions than non-electric vehicles.
Plug-In, Hybrid Electric Vehicles - PHEVs
With larger batteries, these vehicles can run on electricity alone, with liquid fuel as a back-up.
When running on electricity alone, PHEV’s range is diminished, and they generate CO2 emissions when used in liquid fuel mode.
Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles - MHEV
These vehicles employ a motor to assist the car’s engine, but you cannot power the vehicle on electricity alone.