Just how many types of electric cars are there?
Find out more about customised sustainable vehicles for any trip
Just how many types of electric cars are there?
Find out more about customised sustainable vehicles for any trip
If you are thinking of switching to an electric vehicle you have three options to choose from:
What are the differences between the three?
Hybrid Cars
These are cars with two engines: a combustion engine, that is generally a petrol engine, and an electric motor. The electric motor starts up when you start the vehicle and operates while you drive. The combustion engine may however take over at very high speeds.
Plug-in electric cars
These cars are also known as PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles). Like hybrid vehicles, these cars have two engines, a combustion engine and an electric motor. Unlike hybrid vehicles, plug-in cars can travel a distance of approximately 50-80 km with the electric motor alone. The large battery means that these vehicles can be recharged at electric car charging stations.
Electric cars
Unlike hybrid and plug-in vehicles, full electric cars are entirely powered by a battery motor and do not have a combustion engine. Like the plug-in vehicles, a Full Electric car is charged through an external electrical socket. Depending on the type of charging station, it will take a couple of hours to recharge a vehicle of this kind. Electric cars represent true sustainable transportation and guarantee total respect for the environment and fuel savings.
How to choose an electric car
This depends on where you live and how you use your car. If you drive mainly in town but occasionally make long distance trips, the best choice for you may be an all-electric car, and a hybrid car may be what you need. For short, frequent trips you could opt for an electric car which would allow you to eliminate emissions without needing to go to a charging station.
If you want to make long distance trips while saving on fuel but without having to stop to recharge the vehicle, the solution for you might be a plug-in hybrid (PHEV). PHEV batteries may be recharged from a domestic charge or by connecting to the public network. Plug-in hybrids are the middle ground between hybrid and all-electric vehicles. You travel in an electric car but with a combustion engine when you need it.
The car’s driving range was a vital issue for early electric car owners. Fortunately, the public charging network today has been developed considerably and the distance that may be covered on a single charge is increasing all the time. If you have private parking, a home charging station allows you to charge your car faster using the nightly rates.
