The Different Types of Electric Vehicles

Fuel-efficient vehicles continue to grow in popularity around the world, and the Cerritos area is no exception! You’ll find a wide range of new electric vehicles on the Cerritos roads, but just how many types of electric vehicles are there? There are four main electric-driven designs, ranging from battery-powered electric vehicles to fuel cell electrics. Learn all about the different designs with Lexus of Cerritos, and stop by our showroom to try out a few models in person!

How Many Types of Electric Vehicles Are There?

There are four main types of electrified vehicles on the market today: hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, battery electric, and hydrogen-electric. All use electricity as an energy source, though not all of them rely solely on electric power. Take a look at the differences below:

• Hybrid Electric Vehicles: Hybrids like the ES Hybrid and LC Hybrid contain internal combustion engines, along with self-charging batteries. Both power sources work in tandem, so you enjoy the familiarity of a gas-powered model with a huge boost in efficiency from the electric motor.
• Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV): Plug-in hybrid vehicles like the NX PHEV and RX PHEV have larger battery packs than a standard hybrid, which means they have an electric range. Unlike a hybrid, PHEV models can run on pure electricity alone. But, PHEVs must be plugged in to restore battery power.
• Battery Electric Vehicles: A battery electric vehicle is what most refer to as an “electric car.” They contain no combustion engine, so there’s no need for gas or motor oil at all. Instead, EVs use an electric motor and battery to power your Long Beach drives on electricity alone. Plug your vehicle into any home or public station to power up in between trips.
• Hydrogen Electric Vehicles (Fuel Cell): Hydrogen electric vehicles, or fuel cell vehicles, also run on electricity. However, they are much less common due to limited charging options in the United States.

Components of Electric Vehicles 

Now you know how many types of electric vehicles are there currently, and we’ve gone through a general overview of their differences. But, now let’s look under the hood. What are the components of each type of electric car? 

Hybrid Electric Vehicles:

• Engine
• Electric motor
• Battery pack with controller & inverter
• Fuel tank
• Control module

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

• Electric motor
• Engine
• Inverter
• Battery
• Fuel tank
• Control module
• Battery Charger 

Battery Electric Vehicles

• ​​Electric motor
• Inverter
• Battery
• Control Module
• Drive train

Hydrogen Electric Vehicles (Fuel Cell)

• Electric motor
• Fuel-cell stack
• Hydrogen storage tank
• Battery with converter and controller

Explore Fuel-Efficient Vehicles at Lexus of Cerritos

Now that you know how many types of electric vehicles there are around Torrance, why not try a few in person? Contact us with any questions about the latest fuel-efficient models, or just stop by Cerritos! We’d be happy to get you behind the wheel of a brand-new car.