ESG
Posted 12/04/2025
Not all electric vehicles (EVs) are created equal. What most people think of as an EV is a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), but there are other types of EVs that may fit their lifestyle better. This is why it is crucial to understand the different types of EVs, as one may be a better choice for where and how you live than other available options.
Let’s take a closer look at the three main types of EVs and how each one works.
A BEV is what most people mean when they say “EV.” These vehicles require no liquid fuel because the drivetrain is propelled by a battery, which also runs all the vehicle’s systems like air conditioning, heating, windshield wipers, etc.
The key features of a BEV are items like:
Regenerative braking, which uses kinetic energy from deceleration to generate power, which can extend the battery range between charges.
Better energy efficiency than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.
Better performance because they have instant torque, meaning they can reach maximum power from a standstill without having to “rev up” their engines.
Increased storage capacity as the front compartment where an engine would go can be used for storage space. (This is commonly known as a “frunk.”)
This is in addition to lower fueling and maintenance costs over the lifetime of a BEV compared to an ICE vehicle.
Environmentally, BEVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, however the manufacturing process is comparable to an ICE vehicle, and if you charge them with electricity generated from fossil fuels, that can also add to their environmental impact.
A PHEV is primarily an EV, but it also has a liquid fuel-powered engine, which it can use to drive the vehicle when in ICE mode.
Key features of a PHEV include:
The ability to switch between electric-only driving and a traditional internal combustion engine. This flexibility can be handy if you are in an area that has little or no EV charging infrastructure.
PHEVs tend to have smaller ranges when in EV mode than their BEV cousins, and they cannot use every type of EV charging station. (More on that below.)
When in EV mode, a PHEV will have zero emissions, but when in ICE mode, it will produce similar tailpipe emissions as a fully ICE vehicle.
An HEV, more commonly known simply as a “hybrid,” are ICE vehicles that, in addition to their liquid fuel-powered engines, also contain one or more electric motors that work together with the engine to propel the vehicle.
The key features of an HEV are:
increased fuel economy achieved by having the electric motor assist with things like acceleration.
HEVs cannot be plugged into EV charging stations. Their electric motors are recharged via other means like the aforementioned regenerative braking and the use of on-board electrical generators.
They are more environmentally friendly than a typical ICE vehicle because they are more energy efficient, but they still produce tailpipe emissions.
As HEVs cannot be plugged into a charging station, we will continue only with BEVs and PHEVs.
BEVs and PHEVs are equipped with on-board chargers. When you use a Level 2 (L2) charging station, the charging station feeds alternating current (AC) into your EV’s on-board charger, which then converts the AC to direct current (DC) and feeds it into the battery. They act more like gas pumps, except with electricity. This is why it takes hours for an L2 charging station to charge your vehicle. The vehicle’s on-board charger needs time to convert the AC to DC and then charge the battery with the direct current.
This is the same way appliances like laptops are charged. When you plug your laptop into a wall socket, the AC from the wall socket is converted to DC by the built-in converter (the box on the power cord), and then fed into the laptop’s battery to charge it.
Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFCs) they bypass the vehicle’s on-board charger and feed direct current directly into the vehicle’s battery, charging it. This is why DCFCs are much faster at charging an EV than an L2. They skip the electrical current conversion and simply provide DC straight to the battery.
All EVs are equipped with a battery management system, which can tell you about your battery’s current state and perform functions like preheating the battery, if necessary. Battery management systems ensure your EV battery is working at an optimal level and prevents situations like overcharging or overheating.
The main difference between charging a BEV and a PHEV is that you cannot use a DCFC to charge a PHEV. You can only use Level 1 (L1) and L2 charging stations to charge a PHEV. On the other hand, you can use an L1 or L2 charging station, or a DCFC to charge a BEV.
Charging times will vary depending on the vehicle, but generally speaking, an L1 will take eight to 12 hours to charge an EV battery.
They are really only suitable for overnight charging. An L2 will take about four to eight hours to charge a battery. A DCFC can charge a battery in under an hour. There are many factors affecting the amount of time it takes to charge an EV.
Your vehicle’s battery management system may recommend that you only charge to 80%, as it can
take just as long to charge the last 20% as it can to charge up to 80%.
This is because the electrical current has to be slowed down as the battery approaches 100%. (Think of pouring a liquid into a glass up to the top rim without spilling any.)
Which type of EV you choose will largely depend on how you drive and the EV charging infrastructure you have access to.
If the majority of your driving is inner-city driving and you rarely take long road trips, and you have easy access to EV charging infrastructure, a BEV should fulfill all your needs. Note that you can take long road trips in a BEV, but they do require more planning than long road trips in an ICE vehicle, as gas stations are much more ubiquitous than EV charging stations.
If you routinely take long road trips, and/or you live in an area with sparse EV charging infrastructure, or you do not have easy access to EV charging stations, you may be better off in a PHEV until your area catches up with EV charging infrastructure. In areas that have little to no charging infrastructure, you can still enjoy the cost savings and environmental benefits of driving an EV, but you will have the ability to switch your vehicle to ICE mode if needed.
Note that most PHEVs will have a smaller driving range when in EV mode than a BEV.
The charging infrastructure in your area – including your home and work – will also affect your decision. If you have a home EV charging station that you are able to use whenever you need it, and you have access to workplace charging, you will have no problems driving a BEV, especially if you don’t stray too far from home.
If you do not have access to charging infrastructure at home or work, a PHEV may be more suitable for you, especially if you tend to drive into areas that have little EV charging infrastructure. Rural areas of the country, where charging infrastructure is still in its relative infancy, may require a PHEV so you can use its ICE mode as a backup plan.
How much do you want to minimize your tailpipe emissions? If you are dedicated to eradicating any and all tailpipe emissions from your driving, then a BEV is the only way to go. Even if your electricity comes from burning fossil fuels, it will still be more environmentally friendly to drive a BEV than an ICE vehicle or a PHEV.
However, if completely eradicating your tailpipe emissions isn’t your main goal, then a PHEV can still provide you with a way to drastically decrease your tailpipe emissions while giving you many benefits of an EV with the backup safety net of a liquid fuel engine.
And, finally, budget may also play a role in your decision. And here we will bring HEVs back into the discussion, as they are the cheapest option of the three, followed by PHEVs, and then BEVs. If saving money is your top goal, an HEV or PHEV may sway you in that direction. But, it is worth noting that a BEV, while it may cost you more upfront, will save you money on fueling and maintenance costs throughout the lifespan of the vehicle.
There are many factors at play when making your decision about whether to buy an HEV, a PHEV, or a BEV. These include where you live, what type of driving you primarily do, how much EV charging infrastructure is in your area, and whether your main goal is to completely eradicate your tailpipe emissions or merely reduce them as much as you can. Regardless of which type of EV you choose, taking the steps to join the EV revolution is always a good idea.To learn more about EVs visit our EV101 page.
Do you drive electric? Download the Blink Charging app today to start charging with Blink.
Are you a business or government that wants to attract more EV drivers to your property or community? Contact Blink Charging today to speak with an EV charging expert.
