Electric vehicles (EVs) refers to cars or other vehicles with motors that are powered by electricity rather than liquid fuels. There are currently four main types of EVs: Battery electric vehicles (BEVs):...
There are several types of EVs, all powered a little differently:
Brian Silvestro was Hearst Autos'' former lead deputy editor for rankings content. He spent over seven years as a staff writer for Road & Track Magazine where he contributed car reviews, industry interviews, and more. He has a taste for high-mileage, rusted-out projects and amateur endurance racing.
Clifford Atiyeh is a reporter and photographer for Car and Driver, specializing in business, government, and litigation news. He is president of the New England Motor Press Association and committed to saving both manuals and old Volvos.
These EVs deliver high performance, style, and exclusivity.
If you''re interested in moving away from a fully gas-powered vehicle, there are multiple ways to do so depending on your lifestyle.
Hybrid vehicles are a great entry point: They are essentially a more efficient version of a fully gas-powered vehicle. Their small battery complements the gasoline engine, improving the miles per gallon and overall efficiency though not providing enough power to travel on pure electricity. They do not require charging or any lifestyle changes—apart from fewer trips to the gas station.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) sit in between a pure electric vehicle and a hybrid. They have a full gas tank, but can also go a certain distance on pure electricity (usually around 25 miles, give or take), thanks to their larger battery that must be charged through an external port. Many PHEV owners report not needing the gas engine for weeks at a time, especially for errands around town, though they can fall back on it for longer trips.
Cost-wise, PHEVs are not necessarily a budget option. With two powertrains, that means double the engineering complexity for car makers. They typically cost closer to EVs than hybrids for that reason, though there are several affordable options.
Electric vehicles drop the gasoline engine entirely and rely on electricity. They run nearly silently, accelerate more quickly, and don''t spew unpleasant exhaust out of the tailpipe. The trade-off? Charging can take hours and the total driving range is often shorter than a gas-powered vehicle. Range numbers have slowly crept up over the years, however, with many newer models now able to go more than 300 miles on a single charge. And though there aren''t as many charging stations as there are gas stations, more are added all the time.
There are a few key questions to ask yourself when considering a purely electric vehicle. If you say "yes" to at least a few of these, you''re ready to go electric:
An alternative fuel vehicle you might consider is a hydrogen fuel cell, which offers great range and refuels in just five minutes. Hydrogen fuel cells are in their fledgling era, even compared with hybrids and electrics. The most popular model is the Toyota Mirai, but it''s currently California-only because the state is the only one with a reasonable number of hydrogen fuel stations.
Electric vehicles are shaking up the dealership model. Tesla and Rivian both take orders online only, foregoing dealerships entirely. Instead, they have set up service centers around the country exclusively for maintenance.
There are pros and cons to the shift to online car sales. On the one hand, that means transparent, upfront pricing and no haggling with salespeople. On the other hand, seeing the car in person and talking through its features with someone knowledgeable can be incredibly helpful. Not being able to do so can make it harder to find the right car for you.
The US government offers a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for eligible buyers and vehicles. Only a handful of EVs qualify and the buyer must make under a certain amount of money, though there are loopholes for leasing.
For now, the funds are issued when you file annual taxes through December 31, 2023. Beginning January 1, 2024, however, you can recoup the funds directly at the dealership when buying or leasing the vehicle.
State credits are also plentiful, and tend to be less restrictive. Be sure to look into your state''s offerings, and keep in mind that both state and federal incentives usually offer cost savings for home charger installation as well.
Buying a new car has always been a complex, high-stakes decision, and the influx of electric vehicles certainly hasn''t made it any simpler.
There are now more fuel and engine types than ever—gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, EV, and even hydrogen fuel cell. Inside the vehicle, dash screens are getting larger and more numerous, complete with their own apps, monthly subscriptions, and over-the-air updates.
As confusing as these next-gen vehicles can seem, it''s hard to go wrong. EVs tend to be some of the most technologically advanced, smooth-driving cars on the road. They''re essentially smartphones on wheels, with the potential to save you hundreds of dollars on gas and maintenance bills (e.g., no oil changes).
With that in mind, these are the best EVs we''ve tested. Make sure to read to the end for an overview of key points to consider when it comes to electric driving.
Tesla''s Model 3 is an ideal electric sedan. It''s reasonably priced, can take you 272 miles on a single charge, and goes up to 140mph. A modern interior and exterior design, cutting-edge driver assists, an innovative entertainment system, and continued support via over-the-air software updates further cement it as a class leader. Keep in mind that the dual-motor Long-Range and Performance editions respectively offer more range and faster performance.
The Tesla Model 3 is our default recommendation for prospective electric sedan buyers simply because no other entry-level EV can match its range or performance.
The rear-wheel-drive (RWD) Tesla Model Y offers a commendable 260 miles of range and lots of cargo space for its sensible price. It also benefits from snappy performance and continued over-the-air software updates that keep its features current. Like Tesla''s other entries, the Model Y sticks with a minimalist aesthetic for both the interior and exterior design. If you need even more range or all-wheel drive (AWD), you can step up to the dual-motor Long-Range or Performance models.
Tesla''s affordable crossover is a practical choice for people who need to transport gear without worrying about recharging often. And don''t worry if you care most about performance, as the Model Y goes plenty fast.
Volvo''s XC90 Recharge PHEV can''t take you nearly as far as a full EV on electric power, but its 35-mile gas-free range could be all you need for daily driving. And when you need to go further or push onto tougher terrain, the AWD SUV''s gas tank takes over. Otherwise, we''re fans of the vehicle''s tasteful exterior design, sophisticated cabin, and class-leading performance. Finally, like Volvo''s other models, this one puts safety at the forefront with advanced road detection and telemetric capabilities.
If you''re still not sure about investing in a fully electric SUV, the Volvo XC90 Recharge doesn''t make you commit: It has enough electric battery range for short trips and a gas tank for extended journeys. Its extensive set of safety features also adds broad appeal.
Nothing beats the utility of a pickup, and the Ford F-150 Lightning''s massive front trunk and long bed make it useful for transporting whatever you need. Just note that towing heavy items over long distances will seriously cut into the battery range of 240 miles. Premium models can tow more (up to 10,000 pounds), go faster, and even supply power to an average-size home for several days via an onboard generator (this requires you to install a Ford Charge Station Pro).
If you want to go electric but still need to haul large items, the Ford F-150 Lightning is the midrange truck to get. It might not be able to tow things quite as effectively as its gas-powered counterpart, but it handles rough road conditions without a problem and accelerates with surprising speed.
Rivian''s R1T luxury electric truck combines the practicality of a pickup with the performance of a sports car. Its truck bed is about a foot shorter than that of the Ford F-150 Lightning, but other design features such as a drain in the frunk, a pass-through gear tunnel below the forward section of the bed, and sturdy doors that you can stand on to reach the roof make up for that. This AWD vehicle also handles corners adeptly and gets a minimum of 270 miles per charge. For reference, higher-end configurations go considerably faster and take you more miles per charge. Maximum towing and payload limits are respectively 11,000 and 1,764 pounds.
If an ordinary pickup truck just won''t do, the high-performance Rivian R1T should fit the bill. It offers unique storage solutions for your next adventure and plenty of range to get there.
The BMW i7 brings the company''s marquee sedan lineup into the electric age. It sports dignified exterior styling, offers a whole catalog of lavish interior options, and has a bevy of high-tech screens. As for performance, the base eDrive50 variant runs for at least 301 miles per charge, pumps out 449hp, handles confidently, and has a quick 0-60mph time of 5.3 seconds. Higher-end tiers offer more power and AWD, though at the slight expense of driving range.
If you can''t live without the luxuries of a traditional high-end sedan, the BMW i7 makes the electric transition better than any other model we''ve tested. Just be prepared to spend a bundle if you want to fully experience its opulence.
The BMW iX SUV continues in the tradition of the automaker''s gas-powered vehicles, with sporty performance, elegant design touches, and lots of onboard tech. It has a competitive battery range of 307 miles, offers 516 horsepower, and goes as fast as 124mph. Furthermore, fast DC charging means it gets from 10% to 80% in just 35 minutes with a 200kW connection. BMW sells too many add-on packages and options for us to list here, but know that the only real limit is how much you want to spend. For more horsepower and standard features, upgrade to the iX M60 model.
About Evs electric vehicles
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Evs electric vehicles have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Evs electric vehicles for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Evs electric vehicles featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
Related Contents
