Explaining the Different Types of Available Electric Vehicles

The automotive industry over the past few years has really begun to turn the gears on electrification. More and more automakers are jumping on board the train, including our very own Subaru. For the 2023 model year, there are two different electric vehicles available on the Subaru lineup. In truth, however, there are four different types of electric vehicles available throughout the industry, so we thought we’d take a stab at explaining them and their differences to you.

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Hybrid Electric Vehicles

In truth, electric vehicles have been around for more than twenty years, because even regular ol’ hybrids are technically electric vehicles. Hybrids pair their internal combustion engine with a battery-powered motor for improved fuel efficiency over traditional powertrains. Also under this umbrella, though, is the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), which bridges the gap between hybrids and true battery electric vehicles by combining its gas engine with a battery that can be charged from an external socket.

Battery Electric Vehicles

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are what most people likely picture when thinking about electric vehicles. They run completely on electricity garnered by charging through an external socket. There is no internal combustion engine, just electric motors and a battery pack.

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles

The rarest of the EVs is the fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), which also rejects the idea of the internal combustion engine. However, instead of being powered through an external cocket, FCEVs produce electricity through chemical energy, most commonly hydrogen. The hydrogen fuel is converted directly into electricity, creating a true zero-emission vehicle. The reason these are so rare is due to the lack of infrastructure, as they will require filling up with hydrogen fuel similar to filling a gasoline tank.

Hopefully, this clears up any confusion you might have had about the different types of electric vehicles. More and more will become available from automakers all over the industry, so keep your eyes peeled. As for the Subaru lineup, we currently offer a PHEV in the form of the Crosstrek Hybrid as well as a BEV in the brand-new Solterra. Be sure to reach out with any questions you may have!