Most Common Types of Electric Vehicles & How They Work

As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular, it's important to understand how they work. EVs are powered by electricity from batteries, which can be charged from an external source such as the grid or a solar panel.

 

The powertrain in an EV converts the electrical energy into motion, which is used to drive the car. This process is very different from gasoline-powered cars, which use an internal combustion engine to convert gasoline into motion.

 

In recent years, electric vehicles have been making a resurgence in popularity due to their many advantages over traditional combustion-engine cars. They don't need oil changes or tune-ups and can be driven for up to 150 miles before needing a charge. Depending on the make and model you can save between $3,000-$10,000 in fuel costs per year. Also, they produce no emissions so they're environmentally friendly.

Types of Electric Vehicles

There are a few different types of electric vehicles, and each has its benefits. Here is a list of the different types of electric vehicles, so you can decide which one is right for you.

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are fueled by the chemical reaction of hydrogen and oxygen to produce energy.These vehicles offer several advantages over traditional gasoline-powered cars, including zero emissions, long-range, and rapid refueling times.

 

While FCEVs have been available for purchase in some markets for many years, their high cost and limited availability have kept them from becoming mainstream. However, as technologies improve and costs come down, FCEVs will likely become more common in the coming years.

EV and BEV

EVs are unique in that they do not use internal combustion engines. These vehicles run purely on battery power, rather than relying on gas. To charge their electric vehicles, owners can either use standard household chargers (Level 1 or Level 2), or more powerful chargers (Level 3 built for commercial charging stations).

 

Due to the lack of an internal combustion engine, pure EVs often have a longer range than hybrid vehicles. BEVs (short for battery electric vehicles) is another name for these cars. That's what sets them apart from conventional hybrid vehicles, which rely on an internal combustion engine to help them run on battery power.

HEVs

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have an internal combustion engine as well as an electric motor that draws power from a battery. In contrast to other electric vehicles, HEV drivers use regenerative braking to recharge their battery packs.

The kinetic energy utilized to slow down the vehicle is stored in the regenerative braking system, which charges the battery and aids the internal combustion engine in accelerating the car. To reduce the amount of gas used by the internal combustion engine, drivers prefer HEVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) (see details below).

 

When it comes to hybrid vehicles, the micro (or mild) hybrid is the most common. They can't run fully on electric power, but they will shut down the internal combustion engine when the vehicle is at a complete stop to help save money on gas. The battery power of a full hybrid allows the vehicle to be driven solely on electricity; however, this is normally limited to short distances.

PHEVs: Plug-in Hybrids

PHEVs expand on the notion of a typical hybrid car by including a variety of additional features. They are equipped with both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.

 

In this way, you may store enough energy in the battery to operate the electric motor, reducing your dependence on gasoline by up to 60%. Fuel costs can be reduced by following these tips.

 

To put it another way, PHEVs can go 40 miles on electric power, but regular hybrids can only go two or three miles at most.

Pros and Cons Of EVs

The electric vehicle industry is still in its infancy, but it's already expanding at an exponential rate. If you're thinking about purchasing a new car, you might want to consider the pros and cons of EVs before making your decision.

The following are some benefits of electric vehicles: they produce zero emissions, they have no engine noise or vibrations, and they require less frequent maintenance than gas-powered cars. EV drivers also don't need to worry about running out of fuel on long trips. However, there are also some drawbacks.

 

Do EVs Use Brake Pads? YES!

EVs use regenerative braking, which means they capture and store the energy from kinetic friction to recharge their batteries. Regenerative braking also reduces wear on brake pads as it is not used as often.

The EV driver will still need to rely on friction brakes for emergencies or when driving downhill, but this system can reduce wear by up to 50%. With an EV's regenerative braking, you'll be able to drive further before needing a brake pad replacement.

 

NRS brake pads are the world's longest lasting brake pads. We use zinc-plated steel construction and premium friction materials to ensure consistent stopping power over the life of the brake pad. For safe and reliable brake pads, we welcome your call.