Types of Electric Vehicles : BEV, PHEV AND HEV 

   

             There are three main types of electric vehicles (EVs), classed by the degree that electricity is used as their energy source. BEVs, or battery electric vehicles, PHEVs of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, and HEVs, or hybrid electric vehicles. Only BEVs are capable of charging on a level 3, DC fast charge.

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) 

Battery Electric Vehicles, also called BEVs, and more frequently called EVs, are fully-electric vehicles with rechargeable batteries and no gasoline engine. Battery electric vehicles store electricity onboard with high-capacity battery packs. Their battery power is used to run the electric motor and all onboard electronics. BEVs do not emit any harmful emissions and hazards caused by traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. BEVs are charged by electricity from an external source. Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers are classified according to the speed with which they recharge an EVs battery.

Level 1 charging : The slowest method, uses standard household current, 120 volts, and doesn’t require dedicated lines or special high-power circuit breakers. Level 1 charging typically provides power at a rate sufficient to add 3 to 5 miles of range per hour to a depleted PEV battery pack.

Level 2 charging : The standard for most home and public charging stations, requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit and can deliver power at various rates, depending on the size — or amperage — of the circuit. Most professional installers recommend 30- or 40-amp systems, sufficient to handle overnight charging for most PEVs as well as between-trips “top-up” charging so you don’t run out of range while running errands on weekends.

Level 3 charging : Also called rapid or quick charging, draws 480 volts of power and requires an equipment housing that’s about the size of a gas station pump, making it impractical for home use. Level 3 systems are designed to take a battery from near-depletion to 80% of capacity in about 30 minutes and are intended to facilitate longer trips than a single home charge will permit.

BEV Examples that can charge on DC Level 3 Fast Chargers

• Tesla Model 3
• BMW i3
• Chevy Bolt
• Chevy Spark
• Nissan LEAF
• Ford Focus Electric
• Hyundai Ioniq
• Karma Revera
• Kia Soul
• Mitsubishi i-MiEV
• Tesla Model S
• Tesla X
• Tesla Y
• Toyota Rav4
• Volkswagen e-Golf

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles or PHEVs can recharge the battery through both regenerative braking and “plugging in” to an external source of electrical power. While “standard” hybrids can (at low speed) go about 1-2 miles before the gasoline engine turns on, PHEV models can go anywhere from 10-40 miles before their gas engines provide assistance.

PHEV ExamplesChevy Volt

• Chrysler Pacifica
• Ford C-Max Energi
• Ford Fusion Energi
• Mercedes C350e
• Mercedes S550e
• Mercedes GLE550e
• Mini Cooper SE Countryman
• Audi A3 E-Tron
• BMW 330e
• BMW i8
• BMW X5 xdrive40e
• Fiat 500e
• Hyundai Sonata
• Kia Optima
• Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid
• Porsche Panamera S E-hybrid
• Toyota Prius
• Volvo XC90 T8

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV)

HEVs are powered by both gasoline and electricity. The electric energy is generated by the car’s own braking system to recharge the battery. This is called ‘regenerative braking’, a process where the electric motor helps to slow the vehicle and uses some of the energy normally converted to heat by the brakes.

HEVs start off using the electric motor, then the gasoline engine cuts in as load or speed rises. The two motors are controlled by an internal computer, which ensures the best economy for the driving conditions.

HEV Examples

• Toyota Prius Hybrid
• Honda Civic Hybrid
• Toyota Camry Hybrid