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Electric Vehicles
Electric Vehicles
Vehicles
Electric-drive vehicles use electricity
as their primary fuel or to improve
the efficiency of conventional vehicle
designs. These vehicles can be
divided into three categories:
Unlike EVs, PHEVs don’t have to be plugged in before driving. They can be fueled
Regenerative Braking solely with gasoline, like an HEV. However, they will not achieve maximum fuel
Regenerative braking allows HEVs, economy or take full advantage of their all-electric capabilities without plugging in.
PHEVs, and EVs to capture energy
EVs run on electricity alone. They are powered by one or more electric motors that
normally lost during braking by using
use the energy stored in a battery (larger than the batteries in an
the electric motor as a generator
HEV or PHEV). EV batteries are charged by plugging the vehicle
and storing that captured energy in
in to an electric power source and through regenerative braking.
the battery.
driving. The ICE may power the vehicle How do these vehicles
when the battery is mostly depleted, “fuel up”?
during rapid acceleration, at high speeds,
Charging stations provide electricity
or when intensive heating or air condi-
to charge the batteries of PEVs. The
tioning is required.
charging unit communicates with the
When running on battery power alone, vehicle to ensure that it supplies an
PHEVs produce no tailpipe emissions. appropriate and safe flow of electricity.
Even when the ICE is operating, PHEVs
Charging equipment for PEVs is clas-
consume less gasoline and typically
sified according to the rate at which the
produce lower emissions than similar
batteries are charged. Two types—AC
conventional vehicles, performing
Level 1 and AC Level 2—provide
similarly to HEVs. A PHEV’s gasoline
alternating current (AC) to the vehicle,
consumption depends on the distance
with the vehicle’s onboard equipment
traveled between charges. If the vehicle
converting AC to the direct current (DC)
is never plugged in, its gasoline-only fuel
needed to charge the batteries. The other
economy will be about the same as that
type—DC fast charging— provides DC
of a similarly sized HEV. If the vehicle is
Drivers of EVs and PHEVs have electricity directly to the vehicle.
plugged in to charge and driven distances
within its all-electric range, it may be access to thousands of charging
Inductive charging equipment uses an
possible to use only electric power. stations across the country. Photo by
Dennis Schroeder, NREL 22658
electromagnetic field to transfer elec-
tricity to a PEV without a cord. This
All-Electric Vehicles technology has been developed and
What electric-drive vehicles introduced commercially. Currently avail-
EVs (also called battery-electric vehicles,
or BEVs) do not have ICEs but are driven
are available? able wireless charging stations operate
solely by one or more electric motors In 2017, there were about 87 light-duty at power levels comparable to AC Level
powered by energy stored in batteries. HEV, PHEV, and EV models available 2, though this technology has been used
The batteries are charged by plugging the from major auto manufacturers, according internationally at higher power levels in
vehicle in to an electric power source and to FuelEconomy.gov. Medium- and mass transit applications.
EVs can also be charged through regen- heavy-duty options are also available. For
up-to-date information on today’s models, Charging times range from less than 20
erative braking. EVs produce no tailpipe
use the Alternative Fuels Data Center’s minutes to 20 hours or more, based on
emissions, although there are “life cycle”
(AFDC) Vehicle Search tool (afdc.energy. the type or level of charging; the type of
emissions associated with the majority of
gov/tools) and the Find a Car tool on battery, its capacity, and how depleted it
electricity production in the United States.
FuelEconomy.gov (fueleconomy.gov/feg/ is; and the size of the vehicle’s internal
Today’s EVs typically have shorter findacar.shtml). charger. EVs generally have more battery
driving ranges per charge than conven- capacity than PHEVs, so charging a fully
tional vehicles have per tank of gasoline. depleted EV takes longer than charging a
How much do they cost? fully depleted PHEV.
Most new EVs have ranges of about 100
miles on a fully charged battery, although Electric-drive vehicles are generally
more expensive than their conventional The cost of charging stations also varies
an increasing number of models have
counterparts. However, lower fueling with the level of charging (see Charging
ranges exceeding 200 miles. According
and maintenance costs can make them a Options table). Level 1 charging can be
to the U.S. Department of Transportation,
competitive option. As battery technology as simple as plugging in to a standard
90% of all household vehicle trips in
improves, the cost of electric-drive 110-volt outlet, whereas DC fast charging
the United States cover less than 100
vehicles is expected to continue dropping. units can cost over $40,000. Some states
miles.1 An EV’s range varies according
Federal and state tax credits and rebates and utilities offer financial incentives for
to driving conditions and driving habits.
are also available to help offset the cost charging stations; see the AFDC Laws
Extreme ambient temperatures tend
of these vehicles. For information on and Incentives page for more information
to reduce range because energy from
available vehicle incentives, see the (afdc.energy.gov/laws).
the battery must power climate control
systems in addition to powering the AFDC Laws and Incentives page (afdc.
Charging units can be installed in
motor. Speeding, aggressive driving, and energy.gov/laws).
residential, fleet, workplace, and public
heavy loads can also reduce range. settings. As of July 2017, there were
1 National Highway Travel Survey, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, 2008, https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/pubs/pl08021/fig4_5.cfm.
3 VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE
Fuel Better than similar conventional Better than similar HEVs and Better than similar HEVs, PHEVS,
Economy vehicles conventional vehicles and conventional vehicles
Most mid-size HEVs achieve Most PHEVs achieve combined Most EVs achieve fuel economy
combined fuel economy ratings fuel economy ratings higher than ratings higher than 100 mpge.*
higher than 40 mpg. 90 mpge.*
Emissions Lower emissions than similar Lower emissions than HEVs and Zero tailpipe emissions
Reductions conventional vehicles similar conventional vehicles EVs produce no tailpipe
HEV emissions vary by vehicle PHEVs produce no tailpipe emissions. Life cycle emissions
and type of hybrid power system. emissions when in electric-only depend on the sources of
HEVs are often used to offset mode. Life cycle emissions electricity, which vary from region
fleet emissions to meet local air depend on the sources of to region. Emissions reductions
quality improvement strategies electricity, which vary from region are substantial in most regions of
and federal requirements. to region. the United States.
Fuel Cost Less expensive to run than a Less expensive to run than an HEV Less expensive to run than an
Savings conventional vehicle or conventional vehicle In electric- HEV or conventional vehicle
HEV fuel cost savings vary only mode, PHEV electricity costs EVs run on electricity only.
by vehicle model and type of range about 2¢–4¢ per mile. On Electricity costs for a typical
hybrid power system. For many gasoline only, fuel costs range EV range 2¢–4¢ per mile.**
HEV models, fuel costs are about 5¢–10¢ per mile.**
approximately 8¢ per mile.**
Fueling Can fuel at gas stations Can fuel at gas stations; can Can charge at home, public
Flexibility charge at home, public charging charging stations, and some
stations, and some workplaces workplaces
Because HEVs and PHEVs have ICEs, EVs typically require less maintenance
their maintenance requirements are than conventional vehicles or even HEVs
similar to those of conventional vehicles. or PHEVs. Like their hybrid counter-
The electrical system (battery, motor, and parts, EV electrical systems require little
associated electronics) requires minimal to no regular maintenance, and their
scheduled maintenance. A manufacturer’s brake systems benefit from regenerative
warranty of a battery typically covers 8 braking. In addition, EVs have far fewer
years or 100,000 miles, and the expected moving parts and fewer fluids to change.
battery lifetime is 10 to 12 years under
normal operating conditions. Brake Find additional information on HEVs,
systems on these vehicles typically PHEVs, and EVs on the AFDC at
last longer than those on conventional afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric.html.
vehicles because regenerative braking
reduces wear.
Scan this code to
learn more about
electric-drive For more information, visit:
vehicles. cleancities.energy.gov
DOE/GO-102017-5045 • September 2017