The electric drive suite includes hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, battery electric vehicles and fuel cell electric vehicles.  This site provide consumer information focused on vehicles that plug into the grid - collectively known as “electric vehicles” or EVs. 

The Department of Energy explains: “Plug-in vehicles are capable of drawing electricity from off-board electrical power sources (generally the electricity grid) and storing it in batteries … fuel cell vehicles use hydrogen to generate electricity onboard the vehicle.”

This is a brief description of the vehicles in the electric drive family:

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)

A hybrid electric vehicle uses both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine to propel the vehicle.

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle uses electricity obtained by plugging into the grid to power an electric motor. Similar to a pure hybrid, PHEVs also utilize an internal combustion engine.

Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)

A battery electric vehicle is powered exclusively by electricity from the on-board battery, charged by plugging into the grid.

Fuel Cell Vehicle (FCEV) 

A fuel-cell electric vehicle converts the chemical energy from a fuel, such as hydrogen, into electricity.