Types of electric vehicles: BEV, PHEV, HEV features and differences

More and more drivers and rental companies are wondering what types of electric vehicles are available and what the differences are between BEV, PHEV, and HEV. Knowing their features is essential to choosing a sustainable car suited to your needs.

What is the difference between a hybrid car and an electric car?

A hybrid car (HEV or PHEV) uses both an internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel) and an electric motor. The goal is to reduce fuel consumption and emissions without compromising driving range.

A fully electric car (BEV), on the other hand, is powered exclusively by a rechargeable battery that can be charged at public charging stations or home outlets. It does not use traditional fuel and ensures zero tailpipe emissions.

In summary:

Hybrid cars (HEV or PHEV) combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor.
Electric cars (BEV) run solely on electricity.

What do BEV, PHEV, and HEV mean in electric vehicles?

The acronyms used to identify types of electrified cars may seem complex, but each has a precise meaning:

BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) → 100% battery-powered electric vehicle.
PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) → plug-in hybrid vehicle, with an externally rechargeable battery.
HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) → traditional hybrid vehicle, which recharges the battery only through the combustion engine and regenerative braking.

What does BEV mean?

BEV stands for Battery Electric Vehicle. These cars are fully electric and have no internal combustion engine.

Key features of BEVs:

Powered exclusively by a battery.
Require charging at public charging stations or home wallboxes.
Zero tailpipe emissions.
Lower maintenance costs compared to traditional vehicles.

What does PHEV mean?

PHEV stands for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. This type of car combines an internal combustion engine with an electric motor powered by a larger battery compared to HEVs.

Key features:

Can be charged via public charging points or home outlets.
Offers an electric range between 40 and 80 km.
Ideal for daily short-distance trips in electric mode, with the option to use the combustion engine for longer journeys.

What are HEVs?

HEVs are traditional hybrid cars, particularly popular because they do not require charging infrastructure.

These vehicles represent an intermediate solution between combustion and electric cars, perfect for those who want to reduce fuel consumption without worrying about daily charging.

What is the difference between a PHEV and an HEV?

The main difference between PHEV and HEV lies in battery charging:

HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle): cannot be plugged in. The battery recharges only through the combustion engine and energy recovery during braking. The electric range is very limited.
PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle): can also be charged externally, has a larger battery, and can drive dozens of kilometers in fully electric mode.

In short: the PHEV is more flexible and sustainable, while the HEV is simpler to use because it does not require charging.

The choice between BEV, PHEV, and HEV depends on your driving habits, the availability of charging infrastructure, and the range you require.

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