Top Types of Electric Cars: Which One Should You Choose?
Key Takeaways
- From Battery Electric Vehicles that run entirely on battery power to Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles that combine petrol and battery power, find out which types of electric cars align best with your lifestyle and driving needs!
- Enhance your electric driving experience with accessories from My Tesla Accessories. We've rounded up the best accessories for Tesla, from everyday products to exterior and interior styling. Get delivery Australia-wide!
1. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
When it comes to “what is a BEV,” we’re referring to a pure electric vehicle, meaning it uses an electric motor and runs solely on battery power. You can usually recharge a BEV at a standard household outlet or public charging station. Some car manufacturers even offer fast-charging outlets where you can charge your car quicker.
Basic operating principle of BEVs. Source: e-amrit.niti.gov.in
Interestingly, these types of electric vehicles have the added advantage of capturing some of that energy back through regenerative braking. When you brake, or the electric car decelerates, kinetic energy produced converts into electrical energy and feeds back into the battery to partially recharge it.
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Pros |
Cons |
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- Zero tailpipe emissions on the road - Smooth, quiet operation - Lower operating costs - Potential stamp duty exemptions and reduced registration fees in most Australian states |
- Relatively high upfront cost - Insufficient driving range for drivers who have to travel long distances - A valid worry about the possibility of potential fires and uncontrolled thermal reactions of the batteries |
Popular models of BEVs are Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model 3 Highland 2024, Nissan Leaf, BYD ATTO 3, and Audi e-tron.
2. Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
PHEVs meld the best of both worlds, as they use a battery pack for an electric motor and either petrol or diesel to run the engine. Much like BEVs, it's possible to charge PHEV batteries with an ordinary home socket or from a public charging station. Moreover, PHEVs have the potential for a regenerative braking system that could recharge the battery.
When comparing BEV vs PHEV, BEVs run purely on battery power, while PHEVs combine electricity and petrol for a greater range. Source: e-amrit.niti.gov.in
PHEVs always start in all-electric mode, using battery power until that is depleted; then, the engine will seamlessly take over, and the car functions like a conventional hybrid. When fully charged, PHEVs often offer enough electric range to cover your daily commute, with a tank of petrol or diesel available for those longer trips.
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Pros |
Cons |
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- The ability to run on electricity for short trips and switch to petrol for longer journeys - Lower CO2 emissions compared to petrol or diesel cars. |
- Higher cost compared to a regular petrol car - Extra weight due to the battery pack - A smaller fuel tank, leading to more frequent refills on longer distance |
Popular models of PHEVs are the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Volvo XC60 Recharge, and Mazda CX-60.
3. Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
HEVs, or simply hybrids, are just all the same as PHEVs in that they also house an engine coupled with an electric motor. The engine draws its power from fuel, while the electric motor grasps power from the battery. Both the engine and electric motor together work in tandem to spin the transmission and drive the wheels forward.
Basic operating principle of HEVs. Source: e-amrit.niti.gov.in
Unlike PHEVs, HEVs never need to be plugged into a power source for charging, as the conventional engine always works as a main source. So, its battery pack is much smaller compared to BEVs or PHEVs, and you shouldn't count on anything bigger than a couple of miles of all-electric range at slow speeds.
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Pros |
Cons |
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- Battery recharging through regenerative braking - Typical cost advantage over BEVs and PHEVs - Self-charging, so there is no need to plug in - Reduced CO2 emissions compared to petrol or diesel vehicles |
- Potential inefficiency on long journeys - Higher servicing and maintenance costs compared to petrol or diesel cars due to the presence of an electric motor and a petrol engine |
Popular models of HEVs are Nissan X-Trail, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, and Hyundai Kona HEV.
4. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
FCEVs work on the principle of an electrochemical reaction that converts fuel into energy. Fuel hydrogen combines with oxygen to produce electrical power to run an electric motor.
Basic operating principle of FCEVs. Source: e-amrit.niti.gov.in
FCEVs can, in theory, be refuelled as quickly as regular petrol cars, emitting absolutely nothing but water from the exhaust. They are doubtlessly the best alternative to BEVs; the only problem is that only a few car manufacturers have invested in FCEV technology down under, meaning that the options are really limited.
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Pros |
Cons |
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- Massive driving range - Zero emissions - Refuel time of just a few minutes |
- Higher car prices due to emerging and expensive technology - Lack of filling stations and limited choice of fuel cell vehicles |
Popular FCEV models are the Hyundai NEXO and Toyota Mirai FCEV.
5. Frequently Asked Questions
5.1. What are Type 1 and Type 2 electric cars?
Rather, the point is more a question of what charging connector it has. Type 1 connectors have tended to be more common on older car models or those from North America and Asia, whereas Type 2 has become the standard in Europe.
Also, Type 2 typically allows for faster charging speeds since it's three-phase power, whereas Type 1 connectors are single-phase.
5.2. Is Tesla Type 1 or Type 2?
All Tesla cars have Type 2 connectors and use Type 2 electric car chargers. The special thing about Tesla is that it can charge both AC and DC through its single Type 2 connector because of Tesla's Supercharger network.