Vehicle Types

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Zero-emission vehicles powered only by an electric battery. No gas needed.

Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
These are powered by an electric battery and driven without gas in all-electric mode, and an internal combustion engine, which uses gas when the battery is depleted. The battery can be recharged using a plug.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
Without a plug, these vehicles have both an electric battery and a combustion engine, but the battery is charged by the combustion engine so all the propulsion comes from gasoline. HEVs cannot be plugged in.

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCVs)
The least common type of EV. There are only a few dozen hydrogen refueling stations across the U.S., and projections show that this type of EV, which generate their electricity onboard, will not become mainstream.

Mild hybrids (power-assist hybrids, battery-assisted hybrid vehicles or BAHVs)
Mild hybrids have an internal combustion engine (ICE). The engine is connected to an electric machine, which allows the engine to be turned off when the car is coasting, braking, or stopped, yet restart quickly. Mild hybrids do not have electric-only propulsion. Fuel savings are lower than a full hybrid.