Several types of electric vehicles (EVs) are available in the market, each with unique characteristics and ways of using
electricity as a power source. Here's a breakdown of the main types:
1. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) or Pure EVs
- How
they work: These are "pure" electric vehicles that run
solely on electricity stored in a battery pack. They have no internal
combustion engine (ICE).
- Key
features:
- Plug-in
charging: BEVs are plugged into an external power source
(charging station or wall outlet).
- Zero
tailpipe emissions: They produce no emissions from the vehicle itself.
- Examples: TATA Nexon, TATA Tiago, Mahindra XEV 9e and BE 6e, Tesla Model S etc...
2. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
- How
they work: HEVs combine an electric motor with a traditional internal
combustion engine (usually gasoline). The electric motor assists the
engine, improving fuel efficiency.
- Key
features:
- Regenerative
braking: HEVs capture energy during braking and use it to recharge the
battery.
- Cannot
be plugged in: The engine and regenerative braking charge the battery, not an external source.
- Examples: Maruti Grand Vitara, Toyota Innova Hycross, Honda City e: HEV
3. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
- How
they work: PHEVs are similar to HEVs, but they have a larger battery
pack and can be plugged in to charge. They can also drive for a certain
distance on electric power alone.
- Key
features:
- Dual
power sources: Can run on electricity, gasoline, or a combination of
both.
- Longer
electric range than HEVs: Allows for some emission-free driving.
- Examples: Chevrolet Volt, Toyota Prius Prime, Mercedes AMG GT 63 SE and BMW XM.
4. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
- How
they work: FCEVs use a fuel cell to generate electricity from
hydrogen. They combine hydrogen with oxygen from the air to produce
electricity, with water as the only byproduct.
- Key
features:
- Refuelled
with hydrogen: Similar to refuelling a gasoline car, but with hydrogen
instead.
- Zero
tailpipe emissions: Only emit water vapour.
- Examples:
Toyota Mirai, Hyundai Nexo
|
BEV |
HEV |
PHEV |
FCEV |
Power Source |
Battery only |
Engine + Electric Motor |
Engine + Electric Motor + Plug-in Charging |
Hydrogen Fuel Cell |
Charging |
Plug-in |
Self-charging |
Plug-in + Self-charging |
Hydrogen refueling |
Range |
Long |
Short |
Medium |
Long |
Tailpipe Emissions |
Zero |
Reduced |
Reduced/Zero (in EV mode) |
Zero |
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