Types of Electric Vehicles
There’s a quiet revolution in technology happening all around us– the age of the electric vehicle is just beginning to take shape! This is an exciting time for everyone, and if you’re in the market for a new car right now, you have the unique opportunity to ride the cutting edge of this wave in advanced automotive technology. Your next vehicle could offer you both unmatched efficiency and pure, powerful drivability in one sleek package.
If you’re just getting into the world of EVs, you might need a little crash course in the different types of hybrid and electric vehicles. At Winner Ford in Cherry Hill, NJ, we want you to feel equipped to make the best and most informed decision possible about your vehicle, so here’s what you need to know about the types of electric vehicles!
Pure Hybrids
Pure hybrids are sometimes just referred to as hybrids. Both of these terms encompass the space of vehicles that run on both electric power and gas power and that don’t need to be charged by an external power source. The batteries in pure hybrid vehicles are designed to charge themselves using regenerative braking technology and the vehicle’s ICE design.
Pure hybrid vehicles offer reduced emissions and allow you to cut your spending at the gas pump. They’re great for people who frequently take shorter drives, but the combustion engine does mean that they’re useful for long trips as well.
Plug-In Hybrids
A plug-in hybrid is similar to a pure hybrid in that it has both electric power and gas power, but unlike a pure hybrid vehicle, a plug-in hybrid gets plugged into an external power source to be charged, and places more of an emphasis on electric power.
You might think that you would need to get a specially installed outlet in order to own a vehicle like this, but plug-in hybrids and other plug-in electric vehicles can actually be charged in a standard 110V outlet just like the kind that are already in your home! While a special 240V outlet will make home charging faster, it’s not essential to owning a plug-in hybrid.
Most plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or PHEVs, are engineered with larger batteries than pure hybrids, meaning they have a longer electric-only range that allows them to do better on long trips. This also means that a PHEV carries some extra weight due to the larger battery, which can affect its efficiency.
All-Electric
This is the magnum opus of electrified vehicles– the pure electric, all-electric, or battery electric vehicle doesn’t use gas at all, just battery power that is recharged in a 110V or 240V outlet or at a public charging station. These kinds of vehicles are surging in popularity, and as a result public charging stations are becoming more and more common. Ford’s BlueOval charging network, which you have access to with a Ford electrified vehicle, is the largest in North America!
Battery electric vehicles offer zero-emissions, quiet drive, impressive power, reduced maintenance needs, and reduced fuel spending. While charging your vehicle and planning for charging top-offs on long trips can be an adjustment, the benefits of driving an electric vehicle are well worth it!
Electric and hybrid vehicles are no longer an uncommon, futuristic concept, but a reality for everyday driving that you can experience for yourself. If you’re interested in getting behind the wheel of an advanced Ford electric vehicle, Winner Ford can help you. You can contact us here, browse our extensive vehicle inventory here, or visit us in Cherry Hill, NJ.