Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular in the UK as people become more environmentally conscious and look for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. There are several types of electric cars available in the UK, each with its own unique features and advantages. In this article, we will explore the different types of electric cars in the UK.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) are the most common type of electric car in the UK. These cars are powered solely by an electric motor, which is powered by a battery that is charged by plugging the car into an electrical outlet. BEVs are emission-free and can travel long distances on a single charge, making them ideal for city driving or short commutes.
One of the main advantages of BEVs is their low running costs. They are cheaper to run than petrol or diesel cars as they require less maintenance, and electricity is cheaper than petrol or diesel fuel. However, BEVs can be more expensive to buy than petrol or diesel cars due to the cost of the battery.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) are another type of electric car available in the UK. These cars have both an electric motor and a petrol or diesel engine, which work together to power the car. PHEVs can be charged using an electrical outlet, but they also have a petrol or diesel engine that can be used if the battery runs out of charge.
PHEVs offer the best of both worlds, as they can run on electricity for short distances, but also have the option of using petrol or diesel if needed. This makes them ideal for longer journeys or for people who are not yet ready to make the switch to a fully electric car. However, PHEVs can be more expensive than petrol or diesel cars due to the added cost of the electric motor and battery.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) are similar to PHEVs, but they do not have a plug-in option. These cars have both an electric motor and a petrol or diesel engine, which work together to power the car. However, the battery in an HEV is charged through regenerative braking, which captures energy from the brakes and uses it to charge the battery.
HEVs are more fuel-efficient than petrol or diesel cars, but they are not as environmentally friendly as BEVs or PHEVs as they still rely on a petrol or diesel engine. They are also not as expensive as PHEVs or BEVs, making them a more affordable option for people who want to reduce their carbon footprint but are not yet ready to make the switch to a fully electric car.
Range-extended Electric Vehicles (REEVs)
Range-extended Electric Vehicles (REEVs) are a type of electric car that has an electric motor and a petrol or diesel engine, but the petrol or diesel engine is only used to charge the battery, not to power the car directly. REEVs have a larger battery than PHEVs or HEVs, which allows them to travel longer distances on electric power alone.
REEVs offer the best of both worlds, as they can travel long distances on electric power alone, but also have the option of using petrol or diesel to charge the battery if needed. However, REEVs can be more expensive than other types of electric cars due to the larger battery and the added cost of the petrol or diesel engine.