Basic Concepts

There are many other types of vehicles other than the petrol/diesel vehicles (ICE - internal combustion engine). I have gathered the most popular types:

·        BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) – a 100% battery-powered electric car with motor instead of engine

·        PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) – A car has both a battery and a normal petrol/diesel engine (also called internal combustion engine). A PHEV can typically go about 30 miles (ca. 48 kilometers) on battery only and then the petrol/diesel engine will take over. Its battery is charged by plugging-in.

·        HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) – A cars has both a petrol/diesel engine and a battery. However, the battery cannot be charged by plugging-in. Instead, the battery is charged through regenerative braking or by the internal combustion engine. The car often runs on the battery allow at a low speed.

·        MHEV (Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle) – A MHEV normally cannot be propelled by its battery. The battery helps e.g.  the stop/start function mor efficiently. Therefore, a MHEV pollutes more than a HEV.

·        Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCV) – A car is driven by a fuel cell. The fuel is often hydrogen.

Electric vehicles (EVs) normally refer to battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Sometimes, hybrid electric vehicles are also included. Hydrogen (FCVs) and BEVs are zero emission vehicles.