Understanding Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, and Electric Vehicles

Electrified vehicles have been growing in popularity over the last few years and there are more options now that big automakers are starting to make electric vehicles. The government incentives, high gas prices, and variety of options have all lead to more consumers wanting electric vehicles. But there is still confusion on the different types of electrified vehicles. This is a quick guide to help you know the difference types.

Key Terms

To start, let’s talk about key terms with electric vehicles.

Volts or Voltage – Volts are the amount of power getting to the vehicle when charging.

AMPs or Amperes – AMPs are how much electricity is flowing at one time. The more AMPs a charger can get from the charging station, the faster your vehicle will charge.

There are two options for vehicle makers to pick when developing chargers. They can go with more AMPs and less volts or higher volts and lower amps. The more AMPs with less volts means a smaller cable. The higher voltage with lower amps requires a larger cable.

Watts or Wattage – Watts are the amount of energy transferred in an amount of time. Think of this like horsepower. The more watts or the more horsepower, the more energy getting delivered by the vehicle.

Kilowatt-Hour Rating – Think of this as your gas tank. The more Kilowatt-hours in the battery, the further you can go.

Range – The total distance an electric vehicle can travel after one full charge.

Types of Electrified Vehicles

Now that we know some basic terminology, let’s move on to types of electrified vehicles.

Battery Electric or Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)

These are fully electric vehicles powered by only a battery. They can be charged at home or at charging stations. Fully electric vehicles require a Level 2 or Level 3 charger. Level 2 chargers can be installed at your home by a professional electrician. Level 3 chargers are the most efficient and are found at commercial locations. Level 2 chargers are great for overnight charging and Level 3 chargers are great for on the go. Fully electric vehicles have the smallest environmental footprint and save on maintenance.

Plug-In Hybrid or Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)

These have both a rechargeable battery to power the electric motor and a gas-powered engine to extend range if needed. They can be charged at home or at a charging station as well. They can use a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 charger. The Level 1 chargers use a standard household outlet.

Traditional Hybrid Vehicles or Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV)

These hybrids are powered by an electric motor and gas-powered engine. The battery to power the electric motor charges as you drive using friction from braking. The car will run off the electric motor in certain driving situations and switch to the gas-powered engine in other situations. These cannot be plugged-in and require gas to run. The electric motor does help with fuel efficiency.

This is a brief introduction to understanding electric vehicles. If you aren’t totally set on a battery electric vehicle, try a traditional hybrid or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. If you want to quit paying for gas, try a battery electric vehicle. For more information on electrified vehicles, click the link.