Electric cars are gradually conquering the automotive market. The decision to buy an electric car may be motivated by various motives, including concern for the environment around us and lower running costs compared to combustion vehicles. It is worth remembering that the term electric car is often used to refer not only to fully electric cars. What types of electric cars are there and what is worth knowing about them? We suggest.
Types of electric cars - key information
More and more electric cars can be seen on the streets, which are expected to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions thanks to ecological solutions. In addition to the ecological aspect, the lower operating costs compared to conventional combustion engine cars encourage the purchase of an electric car. These are mainly due to the use of alternatives to combustion engines, i.e. electric drives.
Cars that are only partially powered by electricity are often referred to as electrics. The different types of electric cars therefore differ primarily in the source of the energy they use. Fully electric models only use batteries, while hybrid cars only use the electric motor during acceleration or when driving at low speeds. What is more, the different types of electric cars differ in terms of battery capacity and, therefore, the range the car is able to cover on a single charge.
Electric cars, like classic combustion vehicles, vary in size, equipment, boot capacity or body type. There are both 2-seater electric cars on the market, such as the compact Smart ForTwo, and spacious SUV-type electrics, including up to a 7-seater electric car from the German brand Volkswagen - the VW Tiguan in Allspace version. 
What types of electric cars are there
As already mentioned, electric passenger cars can be divided into different types according to the energy they use. Cars that do not have an internal combustion engine and are only equipped with a battery are fully electric vehicles (BEVs). They are referred to as zero-emission - provided that the electricity used to power them does not come from burning fossil fuels.
Another type of electric vehicle is the so-called hybrid (HEV), which is a car equipped with an electric unit and an internal combustion engine. These cars generate energy when performing various manoeuvres, such as braking. The car's kinetic energy is then converted into electrical energy, which is stored in a battery. The electric motor only drives the vehicle during certain moments of driving, including when accelerating. Importantly, you cannot recharge the hybrid using external sources, such as vehicle charging stations.
There are also hybrid models equipped with a battery and a rechargeable internal combustion engine (PHEV). Cars of this type can be driven using the combustion engine alone, using only the electric drive or using both in hybrid mode.
Yet another type of hybrid is the so-called soft hybrid (MHEV). Compared to the previous varieties, the electric motor found in this type of model is relatively weak, so it cannot drive the car alone. However, its use can translate into fuel savings, as the presence of the electric battery puts less strain on the engine.
Among the types of electric cars, there are also hydrogen powered vehicles (FCEVs), which could represent a breakthrough in electromobility. Hydrogen vehicles also use an electric motor, but they do not draw their energy from a typical battery. The energy source is hydrogen, which reacts chemically with water. The technology used to produce hydrogen-powered cars is new and still developing, so finding a dedicated charging station for such vehicles may prove a major problem in Poland. 
What are the differences between the different types of electric cars?
The use of different types of electrical systems in cars defines a number of differences between the different types of vehicles. The use of all-electric cars does not, by definition, contribute to environmental pollution, which is certainly a major advantage of these models. What is more, their recharging is possible using energy from external sources. The owner of this type of electric car can use one of the vehicle's charging stations or choose to power the car from a household socket, which saves a lot.
BEVs, however, compare less favourably with hybrid models in terms of the distance they can cover on a single charge. The HEV hybrid, on the other hand, may have the advantage of not having to charge the vehicle from a socket. This means that the car owner does not have to worry about regularly supplying the vehicle with electricity, which is still difficult in some parts of Poland. PHEV hybrids, on the other hand, are distinguished by their long range and the ability to switch between modes.
There are quite a few types of electric car and it is likely that there will be more and more in the future. Each type of propulsion system has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it is worth thinking carefully about the best solution for you before buying an electric vehicle.
