Electric Powertrains in Decatur, IL
Everything You Need to Know About EV Powertrains
If you don’t know the difference between a BEV and a PHEV, you’re not alone. While Hyundai offers a variety of electric vehicles that can fit into any lifestyle, most shoppers don’t know how EVs work or what options are available to them. Bob Brady Hyundai is here to help fill in the blanks with this guide to everything you need to know about electrified vehicles.
Basic EV Terms
Electric vehicles forego the typical gas-only powertrains that the vast majority of people still drive today. Instead, they incorporate electric motors and batteries into the powertrain to replace or augment traditional petrol-fueled engines. Before we go over the different types of EVs there are a few terms you should get familiar with.
- Battery: EV batteries are larger and more advanced than traditional car batteries, which allows them to store more energy. They vary in size and capacity, which affects how far an EV can travel on a single charge.
- Regenerative Braking: We won’t get into the science behind it, but whenever a vehicle brakes or travels downhill, there is energy that is lost in the process. Regenerative braking captures a portion of that energy and uses it to recharge the battery in an EV.
- Lifespan: EV batteries are just like every other vehicle component in that they don’t last forever. When a EV battery reaches the end of its lifespan its capacity may decrease, lowering the EV’s driving range. Luckily, Hyundai EVs are covered by a 8-year/160,000km battery warranty.
EV Types
When you think of an EV, what probably comes to mind is a fully electric BEV, but there are actually three different types of electrified vehicles. Here’s a brief description of the powertrain options. For a full overview of each, check our guide to powertrain options.
- Battery electric vehicles (BEVs): The KONA Electric and other BEVs have powertrains that include one or more motors and a battery pack. They don’t produce tailpipe emissions and don’t use petrol at all. Instead, they are charged at charging stations, and Hyundai models have a range of 200 to over 300 miles.
- Hybrid (HEV): Hybrid vehicles combine a battery, motor, and a petrol-powered engine into a powertrain that is more fuel-efficient than traditional powertrains but doesn’t need a charging station to recharge. These models use petrol and regenerative braking for power, so you don’t have to adjust your driving habits, just enjoy visiting the gas pump less frequently
- Plug-in Hybrid: The best of both worlds, PHEVs like the Santa Fe Plug-in allow you to toggle between electric and gas-powered driving modes based on your situation. Most have an electric range of 30 to 40 miles, and once the battery is depleted, gasoline power will automatically kick in.
4 Questions to Determine Which EV Type Is Right for You
- Is environmental impact important to you? If so, switching to a BEV will have the greatest impact on your carbon footprint.
- Is saving money on fuel your biggest motivator? Again, BEVs will reduce your energy spending the most, but PHEVs can be a close second depending on your driving habits. HEVs won’t have as much of an impact, but they’ll still stretch your dollars further than a gas-only vehicle.
- Do you frequently take long trips? BEVs have a shorter range than gasoline vehicles, and if you travel often, you’ll need to make sure your route has a place for you to recharge. It may be best for you to pick an electrified vehicle with more flexibility. A PHEV will allow you to use electric energy when you want and gasoline when you need it.
- Do you have access to charging stations? If you live in an area without charging stations and having one installed in your home isn’t an option, that doesn’t mean an electrified vehicle isn’t an option. An HEV will still allow you to lower your fuel spending and decrease the number of pollutants you produce, and you won’t need a charging station to operate it.
If you’re still unsure which electrified vehicle type will best suit your lifestyle, visit Bob Brady Hyundai and our team will discuss all of your options with you.
