HEV - PHEV - EV - Electric Hybrids

Electric and hybrid cars come in various similar yet different models. All of these alternative green cars use an electric motor.

Electric - Hybrid vehicles are typically more reliable, as many have less moving parts than combustion-powered vehicles. They use no fluids such as anti-freeze, engine oil and transmission fluid and some no gas!

We'll try to clear up the distinctions between each variety. Explaining the essentials pertaining to a hybrid-electric vehicle, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle and all-electric battery electric vehicles.

HYBRID-ELECTRIC VEHICLE (HEV)

A pure hybrid car uses two or more distinct power sources. hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), combine an internal combustion engine and electric motors. A HEV doesn't need to be plugged into an external power source.

With a HEV the cars electric motor applies resistance to the drivetrain causing the wheels to slow down.

In return, the energy from the wheels turns the motor, which functions as a generator, converting energy normally wasted during coasting and braking into electricity, which is stored in a battery until needed by the electric motor. Most HEV's come with Automatic Start/Shutoff.

This function automatically shuts off the engine when the car comes to a stop and restarts it when the accelerator is pressed.

This prevents wasted energy from idling. There's also several categories of powertrain, including parallel hybrids, series hybrids, power-split hybrids and hybridization like mild hybrid and full hybrid versions.

The HEV's electric motor provides additional power to assist the engine in accelerating, passing, or hill climbing, allowing a smaller, more efficient ICE engine to be used. Hybrid-electric vehicle technology became prevalent in the late 1990's.

PLUG-IN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEVs) is a hybrid cars with an added battery. As the term suggests, plug-in hybrids vehicles looks and performs much like "regular" cars.

A PHEV shares the characteristics of both a conventional hybrid electric vehicle, having an electric motor and an internal combustion engine.

Unlike a battery electric car that merely relies on its batteries for range, a plug-in hybrid vehicle has a set of rechargeable batteries that can regenerate when plugged into an external outlet as well as an internal combustible engine that kicks in when needed. PHEV has a longer driving range compared to BEVs, but it still consumes gasoline.

These electric hybrid vehicles have a plug to connect to the electrical grid which can be plugged in to any 120-volt outlet and charged. That electricity is generated efficiently and cleanly from America's abundant domestic energy resources, thus greatly reducing our dependence on imported oil.

Drivers who travel short distances on a daily bases never have to say fill it up, since most of the energy used by this type of car comes from electricity and not from gasoline.

BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLES (BEV) (EV)

Battery electric vehicles or BEV's also known as an EV, is an electric car that uses chemical energy stored in rechargeable Lithium Ion battery packs to power the car. An electric car is powered by electric motors and minus any form of an internal combustion engine.

Completely electric automobiles have a limited driving range.

The range varies from car to car. Typical BEV's can travel from 50 to 150 miles on their fully charged on-board battery. Battery electric vehicles must periodically be charged and owners must be aware of the distances they plan on driving.

Electric cars produce no tailpipe emissions and a BEV emits none of the highly polluting gases that come from cars powered by internal combustion engines, allowing BEV to reduce carbon dioxide pollution. Electric cars also, reduce our dependency on oil, are cheaper to operate and reduces our collective carbon footprint.

Electric vehicles will help eliminate some of our dependency on fossil fuels such as gasoline or diesel. Electric vehicles powered by electric motors need less maintenance than an internal combustion engine.

Unlike a hybrid car or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle which is fueled by gasoline and uses batteries and a ICE to enhance efficiency an electric car is powered exclusively by electricity. With any creative ground-breaking technology, it takes time to get the bugs out, filter into the market, and build an audience.

It's simply a matter of time before these problems are solved and these electric powered cars becomes a key component for conventional daily driving needs. Choices are meager but getting better when finding an electric vehicle to purchase.