Electric Cars Explained

Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)

BEVs have no combustion engine, only an large on-board battery which provides energy to an electric motor. Fully electric cars are charged from an external electricity supply, typically plugging in to a dedicated EV charge point installed at home, the workplace or in public locations. The car is powered when energy is drawn from the battery and converted through an electric motor to power the drivetrain. Whilst quieter than a vehicle with an internal combustion engine, BEVs typically have superior acceleration compared to their conventional counterparts due to fewer gears, instant power and therefore increased torque.

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)

PHEVs have an electric powertrain together with a combustion engine, which means they can be driven in several different modes; fully electric, solely on conventional fuel, or a combination of both. The combination of power from the battery and the combustion engine ensures PHEVs offer great driving performance while being highly-efficient due to a low CO2 output. Like a fully electric car, PHEVs also have a socket allowing them to be charged directly from an external electricity supply.