Types of Electric Vehicles

Different Types of EVs Breakdown
Today, concerns about rising greenhouse gas emissions and a desire to save money at the gas pump have led more manufacturers to focus on fuel efficiency and electric vehicle technology. Since the early 2000s, almost all major vehicle manufacturers released an electric or hybrid vehicle.​

There are two different types of EVs that you’ll see on the road today: battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are technically EVs. However, they do not require a plug-in charge. PHEVs and HEVs use electricity to improve fuel efficiency whereas BEVs have no traditional fuel tank and therefore, are the least polluting vehicle. 

• ​BEVs use an electric motor and battery instead of a conventional gas tank and internal combustion engine. Also referred to as all-electric vehicles, plug-in vehicles (PEV), or simply electric vehicles, BEVs use a battery pack to store electrical energy that powers the motors. BEVs are charged by plugging the vehicles into an electric power source and are considered zero-emission vehicles because they produce no direct exhaust or emissions.

• PHEVs use batteries to power an electric motor AND a gas-powered internal combustion engine. PHEVs operate using batteries and an electric motor until the battery energy is nearly depleted, switching over to the internal combustion engine to provide power. Similarly to BEVs, PHEVs can be plugged into electrical sources to charge on-board batteries. PHEVs are also fueled like internal combustion engines. Because of the small on-board battery, it’s possible to drive moderate distances just using electricity and produce lower levels of emissions with each trip.

• HEVs are powered by an internal combustion engine with one or more electric motors that use energy stored in batteries. HEVs can have a substantial range on a single tank of gas, but are not required to be plugged-in for charging and still require conventional petroleum based fuel. HEVs may use the extra power provided by the electric motor to allow for a smaller engine. The battery can also power auxiliary loads and reduce engine idling when the vehicle is stopped. HEVs use regenerative braking to capture energy normally lost during braking by using the electric motor as a generator and storing the captured energy in the battery.

Finding the Right Vehicle
New all-electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are released all the time, with models designed to meet a wider variety of needs. To learn whether an EV is right for you, assess your driving requirements, vehicle availability, and prices and incentives.
Driving Requirements To assess whether an EV meets your needs:

• Start with daily driving: How many miles do you typically drive (e.g., for work, errands)? For daily driving, you'll likely charge at home or near work. Typically, most EV charging is done at home, but there is a growing network of chargers available for you to charge at workplaces, the grocery store, conventional gas stations, and many other destinations.
• Next, consider longer trips: Are there public charging stations along your route that are compatible with the vehicles you're considering? Can you get from one station to the next within your expected range? Keep in mind, many EVs can easily travel distances of 200 to 300 miles on a single charge. Also consider whether your household has a second vehicle for longer trips, in which case you may be able to make do with an EV with shorter range. If you're curious about electric vehicle charging, visit our EV Charging 101 page.
• Also factor in reduced range if your driving will include hilly terrain, hauling heavy loads, or a lot of heating or air conditioning use. In these cases, leave some extra buffer in the EV's maximum range.

Light-, medium-, and heavy-duty EVs are commercially available, and new models are appearing every year. EVs can also save you money through fuel savings, available tax credits, and other New York State opportunities. 

Tools to Find the Right EV for You

Visit PlugStar or the Alternative Fuels Data Center for more information on vehicle specs, cost comparisons, charging time, & more!

Shopping Assistant
PlugStar's shopping assistant makes it easy to estimate incentives, costs and environmental footprint for specific EV models.

AFDC Vehicle Cost Calculator
​Compare cost of ownership and emissions for most vehicle models.

See Typical Consumer Stories for examples of how others meet their driving needs with EVs.

Driving Range

Compared to 2011, electric vehicles (EVs) have come a long way. As of 2024, they now have a median driving range of 283 miles per charge, based on data from the U.S. Department of Energy Fuel Economy Guide. Many EV models can even go beyond 500 miles on a single charge.

However, it's important to know that the range of EVs can change depending on different factors. Extreme temperatures, high speeds, rapid acceleration, heavy loads, and steep inclines all affect how far an EV can go on a charge because they use more energy. Despite these challenges, the EV market is growing, thanks to more powerful models and commitments from automakers to make more electric vehicles.

Note: Range is based on Environmental Protection Agency estimates. Does not include plug-in hybrid vehicles. Only vehicles that were certified by the EPA are included in the data.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Fueleconomy.gov website.

How much can I save with an EV?

Electric vehicles require less maintenance than internal combustion engine vehicles and have lower fuel costs when considering the price of electricity versus gas or diesel. When your account for financial incentives, electric vehicles become much more affordable and competitive with gas vehicles. There's never been a better time to buy an electric vehicle! As a New York State resident, you can save up to $2,000 on a new electric vehicle lease or purchase with $2,000 New York State Drive Clean Rebate.

Check out the savings