Different types of electric vehicles explained

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Currently, three different types of electric vehicles (EVs) are available on the market: hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and full electric vehicles (sometimes called battery electric vehicles or BEVs).

With a big battery and an electric motor. Full EVs may go 350–600 km between charges while utilising 12–19 kWh of electricity per 100 km.

With a smaller battery that can be charged and a backup gasoline engine. Plug-in hybrids combine the advantages of fully electric and traditional gasoline vehicles.

This combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor. Hybrid electric vehicles automatically transition between the two engines based on the road's circumstances.

Full EVs are the most expensive of the three alternatives, ranging from $45,000 to over $100,000. Plug-in hybrids and hybrid electric cars are generally less expensive; now, self-charging hybrids are the most popular in Australia.

Please explain the three different types of electric vehicles on the market

There are three main types of electric cars: Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Plug-in Hybrid Electrics (PHEVs), and Hybrid Electric Vehicles.

BEVs, or full electric cars, run only on a substantial battery and an electric motor. They can go pretty far before needing a recharge, ranging from 350 to 600 kilometres depending on the brand and model.

PHEVs mix electricity and petrol. They’re like electric cars but also have a small petrol engine just in case the electric part runs out. Hybrid Electric Vehicles use both a regular engine and an electric one. They’re more fuel-efficient and quieter than regular cars.

People are still figuring out which type will be the most popular, right now, BEVs are a bit cheaper, and in 2021, more people bought self-charging hybrids. But things could change as technology gets better and more folks value the environment.

The future of electric cars depends on improvements in tech, better places to charge, and what people want. As the electric car world grows, we can expect different types to become more popular at different times.

The full EV is also called a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV).

The first electric vehicle type is a battery-powered electric vehicle with an electric motor and a large-capacity battery. They offer ranges of 350 to 600 km between charges although range anxiety is still an issue in potential buyers.

They use between 12 kWh and 19 kWh of electricity to drive 100km. The price range is between $45,000 and over $100,000. Popular brands and models for this technology include Tesla Model 3, S and Y, Ford Mustang Mach-E, Chevrolet Bolt, Volkswagen ID 4, Nissan Leaf, Audi e-Tron, Porsche Taycan and Hyundai Kona Electric.

Tesla being charged, one of the three types of electric vehicles available
EVs have many variations but are all better for the environment than solely petrol-powered cars

The plug-in hybrid (PHEV).

The second type of electric vehicle available on the market is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). This type of technology offers a blend of BEV and the more conventional petrol cars. They offer an EV with a smaller battery that can be charged. As well as a backup conventional smaller petrol engine, in case the battery runs out.

It potentially offers the best of both worlds, being the EV experience with a solid petrol backup option. Popular brands and models for this technology include Mitsubishi Eclipse and Outlander, some BMW3 models, Peugeot 308, Land Rover Defender, Mazda CX-60, Volkswagen Touareg, Ferrari Sider and some Bentley models.

A hybrid electric vehicle.

The final type of electric vehicle available on the market is a hybrid vehicle. These cars use a combustion engine and an electric motor to propel the vehicle.

The system and interaction between the two engines happen automatically without any direction from the driver. The car can drive on either of the two engines or a combination. The driving experience is like conventional petrol vehicles, except that the fuel efficiency is much better, and the car is much quieter.

The battery in such vehicles cannot be externally charged but is charged via the petrol engine or the energy released during braking. The electric motor will normally operate from a standstill and in the low km range, then the petrol engine kicks in faster.

Brands and models offering Hybrid solutions currently in Australia are Lexus, Toyota Corolla and RAV4, Kia Niro and Sorento, Honda HR-V and the Ferrari 296 GTB.

Which of these three electric vehicle types will be the most popular in the future is a matter of debate and speculation.

Predicting which electric vehicle will be the most popular in the future is something people discuss a lot, but no one knows for sure. Right now, Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are a bit cheaper than hybrid vehicles, and they give drivers more confidence that they won’t run out of charge.

Looking at the numbers from 2021, it shows that self-charging hybrids are in the lead with 70,466 registrations, followed by plug-in hybrids with 3,372, and BEVs with 20,665. So, at least for now, more people are choosing hybrids.

But things can change as technology gets better and people care more about the environment. The popularity of electric vehicles depends on things like battery improvements, better places to charge, and potentially using renewable energy as a power source. As the electric vehicle world grows, we can expect different types of electric cars to become more popular at different times.

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