You may notice that more and more Electric cars are on the road and their supply equipment like EV chargers is installed around your place like apartments, hotels, shopping malls and workplaces. If you would also like to have a plan to have an electric vehicle in the future, you can take a deep look into the types of EVs to make the decision.
1. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), also known as “all-electric vehicles”. They are more popularly called EVs and battery-powered. BEVs do not have an internal combustion engine (ICE) and run entirely on electricity stored in a rechargeable battery pack.
How do BEVs work?
All the power comes from the battery pack, which is chargeable from the electricity grid. The charged battery pack sends power to one or more electric motors to move the vehicle. Furthermore, when brakes are engaged, or the vehicle decelerates, the motor acts as an alternator. It produces power, charges the battery pack, and offers more driving range.
Why choose a BEV?
The simplicity of the BEV is one of its biggest advantages. There are so few moving parts in a battery electric vehicle that very little maintenance is required. The savings from reduced maintenance expenses can add up to significant savings over the lifetime of the vehicle. It is a good option for individuals looking for an emissions-free mode of transportation with low operating costs.
2. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
HEVs use an IC engine and an electric motor. The latter derives power from the electricity stored in a battery pack. The main difference between BEVs and HEVs is that the HEV’s battery pack is charged through regenerative braking and engine power, not the regular electric charger. The stored power enables the electric motor to assist the IC engine in various forms, such as longer driving range.
Here are the two types of hybrid electric vehicles.
- Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs): use a small electric motor to support the internal combustion engine in specific functions like starting, regenerative braking, accelerating, and powering ancillary systems. This electric motor typically can’t propel the vehicle on its own, but aids the combustion engine, improving efficiency by relying primarily on the engine for propulsion.
- Full Hybrid Electric Vehicles (FHEVs): Self-charging hybrid vehicles, sometimes called full hybrid electric vehicles (FHEV), are often simply known as hybrid vehicles. They combine a hybrid battery with a conventional combustion engine in order to increase power and improve efficiency. The battery recharges while driving via regenerative braking.
How do HEVs work?
HEVs’ primary power source is an IC engine like a regular petrol or diesel-powered vehicle. HEV can source power from a different set of combinations of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.
In most cases, the electric motor and internal combustion engine work together to drive the car. However, in some cases, they may work in two different ways. For instance, the electric motor may keep the IC engine running while idling or shifting gears.
Why choose an MHEV?
- Smooth drive
- Improve fuel economy.
- Reduce tailpipe emissions.
3. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).
PHEVs are an extended form of HEVs. This of electric vehicles usually have bigger and more powerful electric motors compared to the standard HEVs. A PHEV combines both electric and gasoline or diesel power. PHEVs can be recharged by plugging into an external power source, just like BEVs, but they also have the option to be refueled at gas stations. The versatility of having an engine and electric motor allows PHEVs to travel longer distances without drivers worrying about finding a charging station.
How do PHEVs work?
There are 2 modes, namely:
All-electric mode: Only the electric motor offers power to drive the vehicle.
Hybrid mode: The internal combustion engine and the electric motor work together to drive the vehicle.
Why choose a PHEV?
They’re excellent for drivers who want the benefits of electric power for short trips but need the flexibility of gasoline power for longer journeys.
4. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
Also known as Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCVs), are a type of EV that utilize ‘fuel cell technology’ to generate electricity and charge the battery pack. They are similar to BEVs, as they only use an electric motor to drive the vehicle. However, batteries are charged through the use of hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity, producing only water vapor as a byproduct.
How do FCEVs work?
FCEVs require hydrogen fuel to be stored in a fuel tank. The hydrogen fuel is converted into electricity through the fuel cell stack and charges the battery pack. The battery pack powers one or more electric motors to propel the vehicle.
FCEVs emit water vapor and heat as byproducts, making them zero-emission vehicles. They also typically have a driving range that exceeds 300 miles, making them a practical option for longer trips. However, FCEVs are currently more expensive to produce than other types of electric vehicles, and there is limited availability of hydrogen fueling stations, making them less convenient for some drivers. Despite these challenges, FCEVs are a promising technology.
Why choose an FCEV?
They’re ideal for reducing carbon emissions from the transportation sector, particularly in applications with a more extended range.
5. Extended Range Electric Vehicles or EREVs
They are vehicles in which propulsion power is provided almost entirely by an electric unit. They are additionally equipped with a small internal combustion engine to generate additional energy. These types of cars are often seen as series hybrids with a much larger battery, the capacity of which is usually 10 to 20 kWh.
How do EREVs work?
When the battery is discharged to a specific level, the combustion unit starts up, thereby turning on the generator. Its task is to provide energy to the electric motor, as well as charge the battery. Thanks to the use of such a drivetrain, it becomes possible to increase range, which can be quite a problem in other electric or hybrid vehicles.
Why choose an EREV?
The biggest advantage of EREVs is that, despite the presence of an internal combustion engine, they are almost as environmentally friendly and energy-efficient as BEVs. The internal combustion unit is used only to keep the battery charged and not to directly propel the vehicle.
So have you got any ideas of what EVs you would like to put into your list?
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