Electric Vehicles
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV)
Powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that stores energy in a battery.
Run on gasoline and cannot be plugged in for charging.
Use battery power while stopped and at low speeds.
Provide extra power to the gasoline engine during high speeds.
30% to 50% more fuel efficient than comparable conventional vehicles; model year 2015 HEVs average 42 mpg.
Examples: Toyota Prius, Ford Fusion Hybrid.
Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHEV)
Use a battery to power an electric motor in addition to an internal combustion engine.
Provide the distance security of a conventional vehicle while taking advantage of electricity’s economic and emissions benefits.
Can be plugged in to charge.
All electric range is generally 20-40 miles without using the internal combustion engine.
Examples: Chevrolet Volt, Ford C-MAX Energi.
All-Electric Vehicles (EV)
Powered solely by an electric motor using a battery.
Must be plugged in to charge.
Recharging ranges from 20 minutes to 20 hours.
Range is typically limited to 60 to 120 miles on a full charge, although some models can go 200 to 300 miles.
Extremely efficient with no tailpipe emissions.
Examples: Tesla Model S, Nissan Leaf.