BEVs stand out from most cars on the market in that they don’t have internal combustion engines. Instead of gasoline, these vehicles run solely on battery power. Drivers can charge them at home using Level 1 or Level 2 EV chargers or use more powerful chargers (Level 3) designed for commercial charging stations.Because EVs run on battery power without an internal combustion engine’s assistance, they can run much farther on a single charge than hybrid vehicles. They’re also known as battery electric vehicles, or BEVs. That’s what distinguishes them from hybrids that run on battery power with assistance from internal combustion engines. 

Battery = B

Electric = E

Vehicle = V

Battery Electric Vehicle = BEV

FHEVs run on both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that uses energy stored in a battery. Unlike most electric vehicles, however, HEV drivers charge their batteries via regenerative braking. Regenerative braking stores the kinetic energy used to stop the car to charge its battery and help the internal combustion engine accelerate the vehicle. The micro hybrid, uses both a battery and electric motor to make the car run. Although they can’t run solely on electric power, they maximize fuel economy by shutting off the internal combustion engine during complete stops. The full hybrid has the battery power to make the car move using electricity alone, but usually only for short distances.

Full = F

Hybrid = H

Electric = E

Vehicle = V

Full Hybrid Electric Vehicle = FHEV

PHEVs expand on the concept of the standard hybrid vehicle. They have both an internal combustion engine and a battery-powered electric motor. This allows the battery to store enough power to feed the electric motor and in turn decrease your gas usage by as much as 60 percent. This can save you time and money at the gas pump. PHEVs can travel up to 40 miles on electric power alone, rather than a couple of miles with a standard hybrid vehicle.

The two types of PHEVs: 1. Extended range electric vehicles (EREVs), or series plug-in hybrids, use an electric motor to push the car while the internal combustion engine generates electricity. Once the battery taps out, the electricity stored by the engine takes over to power the vehicle. 2. On the other hand, parallel (or blended) PHEVs use their internal combustion engines and electric motors to move the car.

Plug-in = P

Hybrid = H

Electric = E

Vehicle = V

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle = PHEV

MHEVs improve gas mileage by using a modest 48V battery and electric motor to increase the efficiency of their internal combustion engine (ICE). Unlike a hybrid electric vehicle, an MHEV does not run solely on electric power, although the ICE can be shut off during braking, coasting and stopping. In addition, even when the ICE is switched off, the electric motor can power nonessential features such as air conditioning or seat heaters.

Mild = M

Hybrid = H

Electric = E

Vehicle = V

Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle = MHEV

The new kid on the block, FCEVs relies solely on an electric motor, but unlike the BEV, electricity is generated from hydrogen fuel cells rather than batteries. Hydrogen fuel cells generate electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen. Like the BEV, the FCEV is 100% emission-free locally. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles run on compressed liquid hydrogen. When hydrogen is combined with air inside the fuel cell stack, the reaction powers an installed electric motor to drive the wheels. Similar to a BEV they are quiet, produce no emissions but the tank can be refilled in a few mere minutes.

Fuel = F

Cell = C

Electric = E

Vehicle = V

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle = FCEV

An Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV) has an auxiliary power unit (called a range extender) which increases the EREV’s driving range. Most range extenders are small internal combustion engines that drive an electric generator furnishing the electric batteries and motor with electricity. An EREV will create CO2 when its small range extender motor is operating, but not when the EREV is using its electric power. Over its lifetime, an EREV will create significantly less CO2 than an ICE car. Current EV models are using new features that extend the driving range further than before. The industry is taking multiple approaches to extend the EV range. For an extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV), an auxiliary power unit (APU) is often used as a companion to charge the battery pack.

Extended = E

Range = R

Electric = E

Vehicle = V

Extende Range Electric Vehicle = EREV

Even petrol, diesel, methane and LPG cars have their own abbreviation: ICE, or Internal Combustion Engine. The acronym indicates all cars with an internal combustion engine, or endothermic one. ICE is a heat engine where the combustion of fuel occurs with an oxidizer (usually air) in a combustion chamber. The expansion of high-temperature and high-pressure gases produced by the mini explosion applies direct force to turbine blades, rotors, or as in the case with almost all cars, to pistons. The rotating pistons drive the car’s crankshaft, which turns the wheels. providing motion. When gas (or diesel fuel) is burned, the combusted material remaining is toxic gas, which pollutes the environment.

Internal = I

Combustion = C

Engine= E

Internal Combustion Engine = ICE