Understanding EV Powertrains

Do you know the difference between a BEV and a PHEV? If the answer is “no”, you’re not the only one. Hyundai offers a wide range of electric powertrains with options that can fit every lifestyle, but most shoppers have a limited understanding of how EVs work and the options available to them. This guide aims to remedy that.

Basic EV Terms

Before we can review the EV options on the market today, there are a few EV terms and phrases you need to understand.

• Battery: These aren’t your typical car batteries. EV batteries are used to power the motor that is the heart of every electric vehicle. These batteries are usually a lot larger and more advanced than traditional car batteries, which allows them to store more energy. Exactly how much energy they can store varies and affects how far an EV can travel on a single charge and how long it takes to recharge.
• Regenerative Braking: Vehicles with regenerative braking systems use the motor to slow the vehicle. Whenever your vehicle slows down or travels down hill, there’s a certain amount of energy that is lost. Regenerative braking captures that energy and stores it in the battery.
• Lifespan: Every vehicle component has an estimated timeframe of viability. The lithium-ion batteries in EVs are no different, but that doesn’t mean your EV will suddenly stop working the moment it reaches the estimated timeframe. Generally, the battery capacity will start to decrease, and your EV’s range will decrease along with it. Hyundai EV batteries are covered by an 8-year/160,000 km warranty.

EV Types

When most people think of EVs, they think of the fully electric BEVs but there are several EV options on the market. The three main types are defined below:

• Electric (BEV): Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) like the KONA Electric have powertrains comprised of one or more motors and a battery pack. They produce zero tailpipe emissions, and Hyundai models have a range of 200 to over 300 miles.
• Hybrid (HEV): Hybrid vehicles don’t plug in to recharge and instead use only regenerative braking. Their powertrain consists of a battery, motor, and electric engine. These models allow you to reduce your fuel consumption without changing your driving habits. Instead of finding a charging station or having one installed in your home, you can just visit the gas pump as usual.
• 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

1. How important is environmental friendliness to you? If you want to significantly reduce your carbon footprint, a BEV will make the largest impact.
2. How much do you need to save on energy costs? All three options will save you a great deal of money compared to refueling a gas-only vehicle. In order of the most savings, BEVs will save you the most, followed by PHEVs, and finally, HEVs will improve fuel efficiency the least.
3. How far do you drive on a regular basis? If you frequently take long road trips, a BEV might not be the best option for you, especially if you’re traveling in areas where charging stations are few and far between. A Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid model will give you more flexibility. With PHEVs, you can take gas and emissions-free trips to the grocery store or commute to work during the week, then use your standard gasoline during road trips.
4. Do you have access to charging stations? If you live in an area that doesn’t have a conveniently located charging station, but you still want to save on fuel and protect the environment, an HEV is the best option for you.

Still not sure which option is best for you? Visit the team at Red McCombs Hyundai Northwest, and we’ll help you decide which electrified vehicle option is will fit for your lifestyle.