“EV” is used loosely in marketing. The most important distinction is whether the vehicle can plug in, whether it can drive without a combustion engine, and where its onboard energy comes from.
| Type | Full name | Energy source | Engine? | Plug-in? | Best understood as |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEV | Battery electric vehicle | Plug-in electricity only | No | Yes | Lowest mechanical complexity; ideal when charging access fits your driving pattern. |
| PHEV | Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle | Plug-in electricity + liquid fuel | Yes | Yes | Useful where daily electric driving is possible but long-distance charging remains uncertain. |
| HEV | Hybrid electric vehicle | Liquid fuel + self-charging hybrid battery | Yes | No | Improves fuel efficiency without plugging in; not a plug-in EV. |
| MHEV | Mild hybrid electric vehicle | Liquid fuel + small electrical assist | Yes | No | Electric motor assists the engine but usually cannot propel the vehicle alone for meaningful distance. |
| EREV / REEV | Range-extended electric vehicle | Plug-in electricity + onboard generator fuel | Usually as generator | Yes | Drives primarily through electric motors; engine typically generates electricity when battery energy is low. |
| FCEV | Fuel-cell electric vehicle | Hydrogen converted to electricity onboard | No conventional ICE | Hydrogen refuelling, not plug-in for traction energy | Electric drive with fast refuelling potential, but hydrogen infrastructure is limited in many markets. |
BEV — battery electric vehicle
A BEV stores electricity in a traction battery and uses one or more electric motors for propulsion. It has no conventional combustion engine for propulsion. Charging is from an external electricity source plus regenerative braking.
PHEV — plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
A PHEV combines a larger rechargeable battery with a combustion engine. It can usually complete shorter trips electrically and then continue using liquid fuel after the usable battery charge is depleted.
HEV and mild hybrid
HEVs and MHEVs do not normally plug in. They recover braking energy and use electric assistance to improve efficiency. A full hybrid can usually move at low speed on electric power for short periods; a mild hybrid generally cannot provide sustained electric-only propulsion.
EREV / REEV — range-extended EV
Range-extended architectures place the electric motor at the centre of propulsion while a combustion engine primarily acts as an onboard generator. Terminology varies by manufacturer and regulator, so verify the specific vehicle architecture rather than relying only on the label.
FCEV — fuel-cell electric vehicle
An FCEV uses hydrogen in a fuel cell to generate electricity for the electric motor. It does not charge like a normal BEV for its principal energy supply and depends on hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
Primary references
U.S. Department of Energy — Electric Vehicles · Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles