What is an EV? All the buzzwords related to electric vehicles

Electric vehicles (EVs) are taking over the roads, and if you’re new to the scene, the lingo can feel like a whole new language. Like, what is EV, right?

Yes, EVs run entirely on electricity, making them a cleaner alternative to traditional gasoline-powered cars. But what does that really mean? And what are all these terms flying around the EV world? 

Let’s break it down.

EV: Electric vehicle

Let’s start simple. 

An electric vehicle (EV) is any vehicle that uses electricity to power its movement. Instead of relying on a combustion engine (like the ones in gas-powered cars), EVs use electric motors, which are much quieter and more efficient. 

EVs store their power in batteries that need to be charged, either at home or at public charging stations.

BEV: Battery electric vehicle

A battery electric vehicle (BEV) is the purest form of an EV—there’s no gas tank, no emissions, and no tailpipe. All the power comes from a rechargeable battery, so these vehicles run solely on electricity. 

Think of a Tesla Model 3 or the Nissan Leaf. BEVs are the greenest and most sustainable option, producing zero tailpipe emissions.

PHEV: Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) offers a middle ground. These cars have both a gasoline engine and a battery-powered electric motor. 

You can plug them in to charge the battery, but they also run on gasoline if needed. This makes them more flexible than BEVs, especially for longer trips. 

Popular examples include the Toyota Prius Prime and Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

HEV: Hybrid electric vehicle

A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) uses both a gas engine and an electric motor, but unlike PHEVs, it can’t be plugged in to charge. Instead, the battery is charged through regenerative braking (more on that in a minute) and the gas engine. 

HEVs are efficient, but they still rely heavily on gasoline, like the classic Toyota Prius.

Regenerative braking

Here’s a neat trick that many EVs use: regenerative braking. 

When you slow down or brake, the electric motor works in reverse, turning some of the kinetic energy back into electricity to recharge the battery. This helps extend the range of the vehicle and improves overall efficiency. It’s one of those cool features that makes EVs feel like they’re always working for you.

Range anxiety

Range anxiety is the worry that your EV’s battery will run out of juice before you reach a charging station. 

Early EVs didn’t have a long driving range, which fueled this anxiety. However, newer models can easily go 200-300 miles on a single charge, and the charging network is rapidly expanding. 

Still, if you’re planning a road trip, knowing where charging stations are located is important.

Charging levels: How fast can you recharge?

There are three main charging levels for EVs, and the speed of charging depends on which one you’re using:

• Level 1: This is your standard wall outlet. It’s the slowest option, adding just a few miles of range per hour. Great for overnight charging but not for quick top-ups.
• Level 2: These are the chargers you’ll find at home charging stations or public places like shopping centers. They can recharge your EV in a few hours.
• Level 3 (DC Fast Charging): The fastest option by far. You’ll find these at highway stations, and they can add 100-200 miles of range in as little as 30 minutes. Ideal for long trips when you need to charge quickly.

MPGe: Miles per gallon equivalent

Instead of miles per gallon, EVs are rated in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). 

This metric estimates how far an EV can travel on the equivalent amount of energy contained in one gallon of gasoline. It’s a way to compare the efficiency of EVs with traditional gas cars. 

For example, a Tesla Model 3 gets an MPGe rating of over 130, which is way higher than any gas-powered vehicle. This means that it can go roughly 270 miles when fully charged.

Kilowatt-hour (kWh)

Kilowatt-hour (kWh) is the unit of measurement for your EV’s battery capacity. The higher the kWh, the larger the battery and the further your car can go on a single charge. 

For instance, a car with a 75 kWh battery can travel further than one with a 50 kWh battery. Think of it like the size of your gas tank—the bigger it is, the more range you’ll get.

Charging infrastructure

One of the biggest challenges for widespread EV adoption is charging infrastructure—the network of charging stations where EV drivers can recharge. 

While home charging works for most daily driving, long-distance trips require a robust network of fast chargers. Fortunately, companies like Tesla have their own Supercharger network, while other networks like ChargePoint and Electrify America are expanding rapidly.

EVs are driving the future

Electric vehicles aren’t just a trend—they’re the future of transportation. With zero emissions, lower running costs, and a growing network of charging stations, more drivers are making the switch. 

Understanding the basics and buzzwords around EVs can help you make informed decisions and join the growing community of electric vehicle enthusiasts. So, charge up and enjoy the ride.