Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)
A BEV may be the type most people instantly think of when talking about EVs; it is powered by one or more electric motors, with a large battery to supply the electricity. EV battery sizes are measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and an average BEV sedan or compact SUV will have a battery of around 60 kWh to 80 kWh; larger BEVs such as trucks may have a battery of around 100 kWh or more. Not only do bigger batteries add considerable cost, a BEV also requires the biggest change in driving habits and lifestyle. While most BEVs offer driving ranges of more than 300 km – well enough for most people’s everyday commutes – charging such a large battery takes time, even with a Level 3 DC fast charger. Ideally, a BEV owner will have a Level 2 charger at home to top the battery up every night, though longer trips need planning, as charge stations are not nearly as plentiful as gas stations, and it takes at least a half hour (and often times more) to get a decent charge. Overall, a BEV is for those who want the full electrified experience and who are willing to make the necessary sacrifices and lifestyle changes.
Hybrid
On the other end of the EV scale is the hybrid; this is the simplest form of electrified vehicles, and the least efficient. It’s primarily powered by a gas engine, like any normal vehicle, but what’s different is that an electric motor helps with acceleration, or takes over propulsion only at low speeds, such as in a parking lot. The onboard battery is much smaller than that on a comparable BEV – only around 1 kWh to 2 kWh. And there’s no plugging in; it only charges by regenerative braking, with the electric motor switching to a generator when stopping. While a hybrid does save on fuel, the gas engine is almost always being used. The electric motor makes the vehicle more efficient in stop-and-go city driving, but at highway speeds, the vehicle is primarily powered by the gas engine, so there are no savings there. A hybrid vehicle is for those who appreciate using less fuel but not enough to plan around plugging in.
Plug-In Electric Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV)
And right in the middle of the EV segment, we have the PHEV, perhaps the best of both worlds when it comes to EVs. A PHEV has a gas engine as well as one or more electric motors, which can power the vehicle exclusively on electricity like a BEV. It has a smaller battery than a BEV – therefore a lower cost – but a much larger one than a hybrid; for example, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, a compact SUV, has a 20 kWh battery, which gives an electric-only range of up to 61 km. And when it comes to the average Canadian daily commute, that’s more than enough on electrons alone, meaning you can use it every day like a BEV. A PHEV battery is charged with regenerative braking but also by plugging in, and with a Level 2 home charger, you’d have a full battery every morning.
That comes with considerable fuel savings. Consider this: say your daily commute is 30 km, including getting to and from the office, stopping for groceries, and even picking up the kids after school – well under the Outlander PHEV’s total electric range. With an average gasoline cost of $1.30 per litre, and a home electricity rate of 19¢ per kWh, you’d save more than $800 per year with the Outlander PHEV over a comparable, gas-only SUV. Find out what you’d save over your own vehicle with this handy calculator.
