With the popularity of electric vehicles and hybrids growing by the day, there are more choices for EV vehicles than those powered only by batteries. You can find a wide variety of different setups in these vehicles, and today, we are going to look at the EV, HEV, Extended EV, and the BEV.
What Is EV/BEV?
An EV and BEV is an electric vehicle and does not contain an internal combustion engine. These vehicles run solely on battery power and can be charged at home using a Level 1 or Level 2 EV charger. Some may be able to use the more powerful Level 3 chargers designed for use in a commercial charging station. EVs can travel much further than hybrid vehicles on a single charge as they do not rely on an internal combustion engine’s assistance.
What Is HEV?
An HEV is a hybrid electric vehicle and has both a gas-powered engine and an electric motor to drive the vehicle. The energy for the battery comes from a regenerative brake system. Regenerative brake systems allow you to recoup lost energy in braking to help the gasoline engine during acceleration. In a traditional vehicle, this same braking energy is lost as heat through the brake pads and rotors. HEVs cannot plug into the grid to recharge like EV and BEV vehicles. HEV vehicles, such as the Prius, are a perfect solution for those who are wanting a more fuel-efficient vehicle without having to charge their vehicle.
What Is Extended EV?
An Extended EV, or extended-range electric vehicle, is an all-electric vehicle, with all the motive power provided by an electric motor, but with a small internal combustion engine present to generate additional electric power. Essentially, extended EVs are a hybrid series that has a larger battery that has an internal combustion engine present to generate additional electric power. The internal combustion engine switches on once the battery has reached a certain level to supply power to the electric motor to recharge the battery.
For shorter distances, an extended EV can usually run solely in full-electric mode, running as clean and energy-efficient as BEVs. For longer distances, the extended EV will use the internal combustion engine to keep the battery charged while still consuming considerably less amount of fuel than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. This is due to the extended EV having a much smaller engine than a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle.
What is a PHEV?
PHEV or Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle share the feature of regenerative braking however the battery size and ability to plug in are unique features. All PHEVs can charge with a Level 2 Charger however at the time of this blog most PHEV's are not capable of supporting a fast charge. Common PHEVS include: Audi E-Tron, BMW i8, Chevy Volt, lLincoln Aviator Grand Touring, Mercedes C530e, Porsche Cayenne Hybrid, Toyota Prius and Volvo X60.
Which Is Best?
Determining which vehicle is best for you will depend on what you will be wanting to accomplish with your EV. If you are looking to break ties with an internal combustion engine and are comfortable charging a vehicle, a BEV might be right for you. If you are not wanting to charge a vehicle and do not mind having an internal combustion engine, an HEV or Extended EV may be a better solution. Before committing to one or the other, you will need to take into consideration how you will use your vehicle and how much maintenance you will want to do to drive your vehicle as charging can be a hassle for some.
Whichever EV you may own Green's Garage is your EV/Hybrid Certified Specialist. We offer battery testing, recondition, rebuilding and all EV repair services. To schedule an appointment give us a call at 305-575-2389 or schedule online directly on our site.