EV or BEV: Electric vehicle or battery electric vehicle

July 26, 2019September 21, 2023 Stephen Corby 53679 Views

The most obvious of all the electric vehicles and one that does what it says on the box: drives using only electricity. Battery packs are charged via a powerpoint or dedicated charging station and send power to electric motors to drive the vehicle. EVs – also known as BEVs, or battery electric vehicles – usually have a driving range of between 150km and 500km.

READ MORE: What is a hybrid vehicle (or HEV)?
READ MORE: What is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV)?
READ MORE: What is a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV)?

Pros: Zero CO2 emissions from the vehicle, performance, refinement
Cons: Expensive, can take a long time to charge
Ideal for: A second car or people who drive less than a couple of hundred kilometres a day
Examples: Nissan Leaf, all Teslas, Hyundai Ioniq Electric

2019 Tesla Model 3 Performance dual-motor

Stephen Corby

Stephen is a former editor of both Wheels and Top Gear Australia magazines and has been writing about cars since Henry Ford was a boy. Initially an EV sceptic, he has performed a 180-degree handbrake turn and is now a keen advocate for electrification and may even buy a Porsche Taycan one day, if he wins the lottery. Twice.