Electric cars go by several names, and the terms do not all mean the same thing. “Electric vehicle” can describe a car powered entirely by a battery or one that combines an electric motor with a gasoline engine. Knowing the difference between an EV, a battery-electric vehicle, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid helps shoppers compare how vehicles use energy, whether they need charging, and what to expect on the road.
What Is an Electric Car Called?
The broad term is electric vehicle, usually shortened to EV. In everyday conversation, EV often refers specifically to a car that runs on electricity stored in a rechargeable battery. That vehicle is more precisely called a battery-electric vehicle, or BEV.
However, government agencies, automakers, and news outlets may use “electric vehicle” more broadly to include plug-in hybrids and, in some contexts, conventional hybrids. The label alone does not always reveal whether a vehicle has a gas engine or needs to be plugged in. A vehicle’s powertrain type is the clearest way to tell.
These are the main terms used for electric cars in the United States:
- EV: General shorthand for an electric vehicle; often used to mean a fully electric car.
- BEV: A battery-electric vehicle powered only by electricity stored in a battery.
- HEV: A hybrid electric vehicle that combines an electric motor and gasoline engine but does not plug in.
- PHEV: A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that can be charged and also has a gasoline engine.
- FCEV: A fuel-cell electric vehicle that uses hydrogen to generate electricity onboard.
Battery-Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
A battery-electric vehicle is the type many people mean when they say “electric car.” A BEV uses one or more electric motors for propulsion and stores energy in a rechargeable battery. It has no gasoline engine and does not use gasoline to drive.
Drivers replenish a BEV’s battery by connecting it to a power source. Depending on the vehicle and charging equipment, charging may take place at home, at work, or at a public station. Some public chargers provide much more power than a standard household outlet, making them suitable for shorter stops during longer trips.
Because BEVs do not have a tailpipe, they produce no tailpipe emissions while driving. That does not mean they have no environmental impact: electricity generation and vehicle and battery manufacturing also matter. The U.S. Department of Energy’s FuelEconomy.gov provides tools for comparing fuel costs and vehicle efficiency, while the Environmental Protection Agency explains how vehicle emissions are assessed.
BEVs use regenerative braking to recover some energy when the vehicle slows down. Instead of relying only on friction brakes, the electric motor can act as a generator and send energy back to the battery. Regenerative braking does not eliminate the need for ordinary brakes, but it can improve efficiency in suitable driving conditions.
Common descriptions for BEVs include all-electric car, fully electric vehicle, and sometimes zero-emission vehicle. “Zero-emission” generally refers to the lack of tailpipe emissions, not the full life-cycle impact of making and powering the vehicle.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
A hybrid electric vehicle combines a gasoline engine with an electric motor and battery. Unlike a plug-in vehicle, a conventional HEV is not designed to be charged by connecting it to an external power source. The battery is charged through the gasoline engine and regenerative braking.
The electric motor can assist the engine, and some hybrids can travel short distances or operate at low speeds using electric power under certain conditions. The vehicle still relies on gasoline, so it must be refueled at a gas station. Drivers do not need to plan charging stops or install a home charger for a conventional HEV.
Hybrids are sometimes called gas-electric cars because they combine gasoline and electric power. They can use less fuel than comparable gasoline-only vehicles, but results depend on the model, driving conditions, and how the vehicle is used. A hybrid is electrified, but it is not the same as a battery-electric car.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle has both an electric motor and a gasoline engine, plus a battery that can be charged from an external power source. PHEVs are designed to drive on electricity for a limited distance when the battery has enough charge. Once the battery’s usable electric range is depleted, the gasoline engine can provide power, depending on the vehicle and driving conditions.
Because a PHEV can be plugged in, it is different from a conventional hybrid. Regular charging allows drivers to use more of the car’s electric-driving capability. If it is rarely charged, it may rely more heavily on gasoline and deliver different fuel savings than expected. Its efficiency in electric and gasoline operation varies by model and use.
Some PHEVs can run in electric-only mode, while others may use the engine in particular situations, such as strong acceleration or cold weather. The owner’s manual explains how a specific vehicle manages its powertrain. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center offers explanations of electric-drive vehicle technologies and fueling.
Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)
A fuel-cell electric vehicle is an electric vehicle that generates electricity onboard using a fuel cell, typically supplied with hydrogen. Electricity powers the motor, and the vehicle generally emits water vapor and warm air from its tailpipe during operation. An FCEV does not recharge like a BEV; it is refueled with hydrogen at a station designed for that purpose.
FCEVs are sometimes called hydrogen cars or hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. They are distinct from cars that burn hydrogen in an engine. Fuel-cell vehicles use hydrogen to produce electricity rather than using a conventional combustion engine to burn it.
Hydrogen fueling availability in the United States is limited compared with gasoline stations and public electric chargers, and it varies by region. For that reason, local station access is an important practical consideration. Hydrogen production and delivery also affect a fuel-cell vehicle’s overall environmental footprint.
How the Main Electric-Car Types Compare
| Vehicle type | Power source | Can plug in? | Uses gasoline? |
|---|---|---|---|
| BEV | Battery and electric motor | Yes | No |
| HEV | Gasoline engine, electric motor, and battery | No | Yes |
| PHEV | Rechargeable battery, electric motor, and gasoline engine | Yes | Yes |
| FCEV | Hydrogen fuel cell and electric motor | No; it is refueled with hydrogen | No |
The most useful distinction is whether a vehicle has a gasoline engine and whether it can be plugged in. A BEV needs charging and has no gasoline engine. An HEV uses gasoline but does not plug in. A PHEV can plug in and also has a gasoline engine. An FCEV uses hydrogen to generate electricity.
Are EV, Electric Car, and Electrified Vehicle the Same?
These terms overlap, but they are not always interchangeable. Electric car is an informal phrase that often means a BEV, although some speakers use it for any vehicle with an electric motor. EV is also used broadly, but in consumer discussions it commonly refers to a fully electric vehicle.
Electrified vehicle is a wider category. It can include BEVs, PHEVs, and HEVs because each uses electric-drive technology. An HEV, however, is not usually considered a plug-in electric vehicle because it cannot be charged from an external outlet.
The acronym xEV may appear in technical or industry material as an umbrella term for different electrified vehicles. When a listing or advertisement uses an abbreviation, checking the vehicle’s specifications is more reliable than assuming it identifies one particular powertrain.
What “Zero-Emission Vehicle” Means
In many U.S. vehicle discussions, a zero-emission vehicle, or ZEV, is a vehicle with no tailpipe emissions while operating. BEVs and FCEVs have no tailpipe emissions during driving. A PHEV can produce tailpipe emissions when its gasoline engine operates, and a conventional HEV produces exhaust because it burns gasoline.
The term does not necessarily mean that a vehicle creates no emissions throughout its life. Manufacturing the vehicle, producing its battery or fuel, and generating the electricity or hydrogen can all contribute to emissions. The location and time of electricity generation, manufacturing processes, and fuel sources influence a full life-cycle assessment.
Charging and Refueling Terms to Know
Electric-car terminology also includes words describing how vehicles receive energy. Charging means replenishing a rechargeable battery from an external electrical source. AC charging is common at homes and many public locations. The vehicle converts incoming alternating current into the direct current used by its battery.
DC fast charging supplies direct current to the battery through compatible equipment, often enabling faster charging than typical AC charging. Actual charging speed varies with the charger, the vehicle’s maximum charging rate, battery temperature, battery state of charge, and other conditions. A vehicle does not necessarily charge at the maximum power printed on a station.
Range means the distance a vehicle can travel under specified conditions before it needs more energy. An advertised or EPA-estimated range is a comparison measure, not a guaranteed distance for every trip. Speed, weather, terrain, use of climate controls, cargo, and driving style can affect real-world range.
MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gasoline-equivalent. The EPA uses it to help compare the energy efficiency of vehicles that do not rely solely on gasoline. It is not the same as a BEV’s driving range, and it does not tell a driver how many miles the car will travel on a charge.
How to Identify the Type of Electric Car
When reviewing a vehicle listing, the following checks can clarify what “electric” means:
- Look for the powertrain label. Terms such as BEV, HEV, PHEV, and FCEV specify the vehicle type more precisely than “electric.”
- Check for a gasoline engine. A BEV does not have one; HEVs and PHEVs do.
- Find out whether it plugs in. BEVs and PHEVs charge from external power. Conventional HEVs do not.
- Check the energy source. FCEVs use hydrogen and need access to hydrogen fueling.
- Review the official specifications. Manufacturer information and EPA fuel-economy listings can confirm range, efficiency, and fuel type.
For U.S. shoppers, a vehicle’s window sticker can provide useful efficiency and fuel-economy information. The EPA and Department of Energy’s FuelEconomy.gov lets consumers search and compare vehicles. The Alternative Fuels Data Center also explains vehicle technologies and alternative-fueling infrastructure.
Why the Terminology Matters
Understanding what electric cars are called helps prevent common shopping and ownership misunderstandings. Someone looking for a car that never uses gasoline will want to distinguish a BEV from a hybrid or PHEV. Someone hoping to avoid plugging in may prefer a conventional HEV, while a PHEV may appeal to a driver seeking electric operation for some trips with gasoline available for others.
The terms also affect cost comparisons and trip planning. BEV owners need to consider charging access and charging time. PHEV owners may need both charging and gasoline. HEV drivers refuel with gasoline but generally do not need charging equipment. FCEV drivers depend on hydrogen-station availability. Matching the powertrain to available infrastructure and daily travel is more useful than relying on the word “electric” alone.
In short, “electric car” is a broad everyday label, while BEV, HEV, PHEV, and FCEV identify distinct technologies. Checking those terms makes it easier to compare vehicles accurately and understand how each one is powered.