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What different types of EVs are available?

There are several types of electric vehicles (EVs) on the market. Some run solely on electricity, these are known as pure electric vehicles. And some can also be run on petrol or diesel, which are called hybrid electric vehicles. 

  • Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV or EV) – A BEV is a car that drives entirely on electricity and needs to be plugged into a charging point to get its power directly from the national grid. This type of EV doesn't require petrol or diesel to run and therefore doesn't produce any exhaust emissions like traditional cars with an internal combustion engine (ICE). As such a BEV or EV is deemed more environmentally friendly. 
  • Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) - These cars run on electricity but also have a traditional fuel engine so you can switch to petrol or diesel if they run out of charge. PHEVs produce exhaust emissions when running on fuel but won’t when they are running on electricity. Like a BEV, plug-in hybrids can also be plugged into an electricity source to recharge the battery.
  • Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) - These are similar to PHEVs as they run on petrol or diesel and have an electric battery too. However, they mainly run using fuel and the battery is recharged through regenerative braking rather than being plugged into a charging station. HEVs allow you to switch between using your fuel engine and using 'EV' mode at the touch of a button. They are also often referred to as ‘self-charging hybrids’. 
  • Mild Hybrid Vehicle (MHEV) – A MHEV is similar to a hybrid vehicle (HEV), but unlike a hybrid it can’t run on battery power alone. Instead, the smaller battery is there to support the petrol or diesel engine and make driving more economical. A MHEV offers the same driving experience people are used to with traditional combustion engines, just with the added power of a battery but without having to plug-in. It’s a great steppingstone if you’re not quite ready to switch to a plug-in vehicle and eliminates any range anxiety associated with owning a full EV.

More EV FAQs

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How do EVs drive differently to conventional vehicles?

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If the battery in an EV runs out, will the car just stop?

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Where can I charge my Subaru Solterra?

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What company car tax would I pay on electric cars?

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