What are the 4 types of electric car
Types Of Electric Cars: The Complete Guide For The UK
Electric Cars: The Basics
For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
In the last few years, advances in the field of electric vehicles mean that the market is becoming more competitive, with Tesla coming up against Nissan for the best electric cars. But these are just two brands in what is now quite a large and varied range.
Read MoreIn the last few years, advances in the field of electric vehicles mean that the market is becoming more competitive, with Tesla coming up against Nissan for the best electric cars. But these are just two brands in what is now quite a large and varied range.
Read MoreIn the last few years, advances in the field of electric vehicles mean that the market is becoming more competitive, with Tesla coming up against Nissan for the best electric cars. But these are just two brands in what is now quite a large and varied range.
Read MoreIn the last few years, advances in the field of electric vehicles mean that the market is becoming more competitive, with Tesla coming up against Nissan for the best electric cars. But these are just two brands in what is now quite a large and varied range.
Read MoreIn the last few years, advances in the field of electric vehicles mean that the market is becoming more competitive, with Tesla coming up against Nissan for the best electric cars. But these are just two brands in what is now quite a large and varied range.
Read MoreSign up to the e-zoomed Electric Living newsletter
As we commence 2023, there is good reason for celebration for the EV sector, as it continues to achieve new milestones. The first half of 2022 witnessed the delivery of 4.3 million battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), globally. Sales of pure electric cars were up 75% for this period.
A 62% increase compared to the same period the previous year.Figures for the second half 2022 have yet to be released, but we expect the positive momentum to have continued. An impressive performance, given the lacklustre performance of the traditional automotive sector!
In the UK, the registrationofbattery-electric vehicles (BEVs)increased by 38% in 2022, compared to 2021 (source: SMMT). A total of 224,919 BEVs were registered (30thNovember 2022). EVs now command a UK market share over 20%!Also worth highlighting, is the increased momentum inthe sales ofpure electric vans. According to the SMMT, BEV van registration isup 46.5% in 2022, compared to 2021. However, electric vans account for only a 5.8% UK LCV market share. We expect this to increase significantly in the years to come, driven by legislation and customer choice.The EV industry has come a long way since the introduction of the first generation all-electric Nissan Leaf in 2010, an awkward looking EV, with a 24 kWh onboard EV battery and an electric range just over 70 miles. The newest electric cars could not be more different, in terms of exterior styling, electric range, onboard technology and performance.An all-electric car, like the Mercedes-Benz EQS saloon demonstrates the progress of the electric driving sector. The EV has a quoted WLTP range over 450 miles on a full charge and is technology-packed. The EV can achieve 0-62 mph in 6.2 seconds. But Mercedes-Benz is not the only automotive manufacturer to deliver impressive e-range, onboard technology and performance. The likes of BMW, Ford, Polestar, Lotus and Tesla, all have BEVs on sale today, capable of delivering an electric range well over 300 miles and in some cases even better performance than the EQS!EV charging capability and public charging infrastructure has also continued to develop with equal enthusiasm. The latest electric cars offer DC charging capability up to 270 kW DC, though most tend to offer between 100 kW to150 kW DC. In any case, an 80% charge in 30 minutes is now the norm! Residential EV charging has also developed further, with smart charging and smart EV chargers continuing to evolve, further enhancing the advantages of EV ownership.Bidirectional chargingis now at our doorstep, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) large-scale deployment, a reality.Even vehicle-to-home (V2H) capability is well positioned to play a key role in thenational energy supply framework. We can expect the continued development of the residential energy ecosystem, to include, on-site renewable energy, battery storage andEV charging.
As we continue to approach 2030 i.e. the year the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be banned in the UK, we can expect a significant increase in the uptake of environmentally-friendly electric cars and electric vans.
Electric Vehicles (EVs): The Different Types
Electric Vehicles is a broad umbrella term used to describe a number of different types of vehicles that use some form of electric power (electric motor) for propulsion. EVs come in all shapes and sizes, to include passenger cars, electric vans, electric buses and even more! Today there are more than 200 models of EVs available on sale globally. Even the likes of the famed ultra-luxury automotive manufacturer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, has joined the electrification movement, with the launch of the all-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre.
Though electric cars, like the, best-selling Tesla Model 3 battery-electric vehicle (BEV), have inspired many to migrate to electric driving, other EVs like the hydrogen fuelled, Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), will continue to play an important role in the ever changing technological landscape of electric driving. For the medium term, we can expect battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) to take the dominant technological position, but we expect much to change over the next 30 to 50 years in terms of electric cars and the technology in the lead!
Though there are many types of electric vehicles, the table below lists the EVs that are most relevant to us today! This short guide will help you to understand the terminology used for each of these type of electric vehicles, what each can do, what the limits are and any features of that type, so you can make the right decision when selecting your next, or first, electric car.
| Type Of Electric Vehicle (EVs) | Description |
|---|---|
| Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicles (MHEVs) | Mild hybrids use both an internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric motor. These cars are also known as self-charging hybrids. The vehicle uses regenerative braking (recuperated electric energy) to improve the fuel efficiency (mpg) and to reduce tailpipe emissions (CO2 g/km). However, mild hybrids cannot be charged by an external power source (i.e. EV charger). The recuperated electric energy is also used to boost the the combustion engine, enhancing acceleration. Automotive manufactures (OEMs) like Toyota are one of the pioneers in developing and introducing mild hybrid vehicles. The ubiquitous Toyota Prius mild hybrid is an excellent example. Toyota also helped popularise the use of mild hybrids in the premium segment via its wholly owned Lexus brand. |
| Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) | Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) aim to achieve the same objectives as a MHEV i.e. increase fuel efficiency and reduce tailpipe emissions. However there is much difference between a PHEV and a MHEV. The PHEV has a larger electric motor and onboard EV battery, that is used to assist the internal combustion engine (ICE), but also to propel the vehicle. In a MHEV, the small onboard electric motor does not propel the vehicle. PHEVs come in varied EV battery sizes, but in general, most PHEVs have an EV battery size below 20 kWh. A plug-in electric car is capable of up to 25 miles zero-tailpipe emission electric miles. However, some PHEVs are capable of even longer electric miles. The Volvo XC60 PHEV is a good example of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle with a longer range (48.5 miles). Unlike a MHEV, a PHEV EV battery is charged by using an external power source, like a dedicated EV charger. |
| Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs) | A battery-electric vehicle is more commonly referred to as a pure electric car. The EVs are pure in that, the vehicle only uses electric power for propulsion i.e. a BEV does not have an internal combustion engine (ICE). It is easy to recognise these zero-tailpipe emission green cars, as these vehicles are silent (except for the artificial noise) and do not have a tailpipe! The electric vehicles have a much larger onboard EV battery than a PHEV. The EV battery on a BEV can be as large as 120 kWh, though an average in 60 kWh. In any case, most BEVs have an EV battery larger than 30 kWh. BEVs also use regenerative braking to improve the vehicle efficiency and electric range. However, the main source for the EV range is the EV battery, which can only be charged using an external power source, like an EV charger. BEVs can vary in electric range, depending on a number factors. However, the more recent BEVs deliver a range between 100 miles to 300 miles (WLTP) on a single charge. As an example, the all-electric VW ID.3 has a range up to 336 miles. |
Whilee-zoomeduses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified bye-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made bye-zoomedregarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
Featured Articles
In the last few years, advances in the field of electric vehicles mean that the market is becoming more competitive, with Tesla coming up against Nissan for the best electric cars. But these are just two brands in what is now quite a large and varied range.
Read MoreIn the last few years, advances in the field of electric vehicles mean that the market is becoming more competitive, with Tesla coming up against Nissan for the best electric cars. But these are just two brands in what is now quite a large and varied range.
Read MoreIn the last few years, advances in the field of electric vehicles mean that the market is becoming more competitive, with Tesla coming up against Nissan for the best electric cars. But these are just two brands in what is now quite a large and varied range.
Read MoreIn the last few years, advances in the field of electric vehicles mean that the market is becoming more competitive, with Tesla coming up against Nissan for the best electric cars. But these are just two brands in what is now quite a large and varied range.
Read MoreIn the last few years, advances in the field of electric vehicles mean that the market is becoming more competitive, with Tesla coming up against Nissan for the best electric cars. But these are just two brands in what is now quite a large and varied range.
Read MoreFeatured Products
4 Types of Electric Vehicle Batteries (Li-ion, NiMH & more)
Last updated on March 5th, 2023 at 12:30 pm
Electric vehicles use batteries to power the electric motor, which drives the vehicle. A manufacturer can either use a Lithium-ion battery, a Lead-acid battery, or an Ultracapacitor battery. It depends on the model type, cost, and specifications of the vehicle. This article discusses the different types of electric vehicle batteries used in an electric vehicle.
What does a battery in an electric vehicle do?
An electric car has an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine. The motor rotates the tires, propelling the vehicle. The energy to power the electric motor is provided by the battery. When the battery level of the vehicle goes down, it can be charged by plugging into the grid. The vehicle can either be a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) or a plugin-hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).
An important aspect of the battery-related metric is the vehicles range. It is the number of miles or kilometers you can drive before the battery runs out entirely. Any vehicles range depends on two factors:
- Battery capacity (measured in kWh)
- The optimization for efficiency (done by the car manufacturer).
How many batteries does an electric car have?
An electric car has two types of batteries, i.e., a Traction battery and an Auxiliary battery.
Traction Battery
It is the primary battery of an electric car. The purpose of this battery is to drive the electric traction motor. Whereas gas cars are powered through an internal combustion engine.
Auxiliary Battery
The purpose of this battery is to power the vehicle accessories, like headlights, indication lights, and more. A gas car also has this battery for the mentioned applications. Read more.
Related: 4 Helpful Tips for Electric Car Maintenance (with FAQs)
What are the different types of electric vehicle batteries?
The following four EV batteries are commonly used in battery-electric vehicles (BEV) and hybrids. Each one has its pros and cons.
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries
- Lead-Acid batteries
- Ultracapacitor batteries
Lithium-ion batteries
These are the most common type of EV batteries and are also found in consumer electronic items like smartphones, tablets, and laptops.
Lithium-ion batteries are preferred due to their high energy per unit mass compared to other batteries. They also have the advantages of a high power-to-weight ratio, energy efficiency, high-temperature performance, and low self-discharge.
Note: Tesla was the first EV maker to use lithium-ion batteries in the mass production of their original Roadster.
Types of Lithium-ion batteries
The exact chemical components of lithium-ion batteries vary based on several factors, including costs and expected performance. Common types include (based on their cathode or positive electrode chemical composition):
- Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt (NMC)
- Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LCO)
- Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminum (NCA)
- Lithium-Iron-Phosphate (LFP)
- Lithium-Manganese-Oxide (LMO)
- Lithium Titanate
NMC and NCA offer the most superior performance and are the costliest. Hence they are found in high-end or performance electric cars. LFP batteries are less expensive but not that efficient, although they are more stable. EV makers use them in affordable models.
Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries
This type of EV battery offers reasonable specific energy and power performance. It is also used in computers and medical equipment. Compared to lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride batteries offer more life cycles. They are also safer under most operating conditions because they can tolerate more abuse.
Nickel-metal hydride batteries are more often used in hybrid cars, where they are usually charged from the internal combustion engine. However, their drawbacks include high costs, high self-discharge, high heat emission at high temperatures, and hydrogen loss.
Lead-Acid batteries
These are the oldest type of EV batteries. As a mature technology, lead acids are inexpensive, safe, and reliable. However, they suffer from high weight, low specific energy, sub-par performance during the cold, and shorter calendar and lifecycle.
Lead-acid batteries are often used in neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) where high performance is not needed. In some EVs, they are also used to power secondary electrical systems.
Ultracapacitor batteries
Ultracapacitors EV batteries use polarized liquids between electrodes and electrolytes to store energy. The more the surface area of the battery, the higher the energy stored in the capacitor.
However, ultracapacitors are usually used to increase the power when the car accelerates and climbs a hill. They also assist in regenerative braking. Ultracapacitors also help to balance load power as a secondary energy storage system.
Read also: Hydrogen vs Electric cars (5 Key Differences)
Conclusion
The most common EV battery types are lithium-ion, nickel-metal hydride, lead-acid, and ultracapacitor. Each battery type has some advantages and disadvantages. Like the lead-acid batteries are economical and reliable, but they have fewer life cycles than the Nickel-metal Hydride batteries. Lithium-ion batteries offer high energy per unit mass but are not efficient in the long run. However, battery makers continue to refine these energy storage components to improve performance and reduce cost.
