Electric Car is a type of vehicle that uses an electric motor to operate instead of a traditional internal combustion engine that runs on gasoline or diesel. The energy to operate an electric car is provided by one or more rechargeable batteries.
In the context of increasingly serious climate change and environmental pollution, electric vehicles are gradually becoming an inevitable trend of the global automobile industry. According to data from Transport & Environment (T&E), electric vehicles reduce CO64 emissions by up to 2% compared to traditional gasoline vehicles and bring significant economic efficiency with operating costs 50% lower than internal combustion engine vehicles.
In Vietnam, the electric vehicle market is growing strongly with a forecast growth of 114,8% in 2024, reaching a value of 2,48 billion USD and expected to increase to 5,67 billion USD in 2029. In that context, learning about the types of electric cars, the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of each type becomes more urgent than ever, helping consumers to make the right choice according to their needs and conditions.
This article will give you an overview of the current electric car market, analyze in detail the 4 most popular types of electric cars, compare the advantages and disadvantages, and guide you in choosing the right car for your needs.
Electric Vehicle (EV) is a means of transport that uses electric energy from batteries to operate the engine, bringing many benefits such as environmental friendliness, cost savings, smooth operation and high performance. The electric vehicle market is growing strongly globally, with car sales in Vietnam increasing by 200% in 2023 and major car manufacturers investing in developing advanced electric vehicle technology.
Using electric cars brings many practical benefits to both users and the environment:
The electric car market is growing strongly globally. According to a report by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA), electric car sales in Vietnam in 2023 will reach 15.000 units, an increase of 200% compared to 2022. Major car manufacturers such as VinFast, Tesla, Hyundai, and Kia are investing heavily in developing new electric car models with advanced technology to meet the increasingly diverse needs of consumers.
The electric car market today is very diverse with many different types of vehicles. However, they can be classified into 4 main groups based on technology and how they operate:
BEVs are vehicles that do not use an internal combustion engine (ICE) or fossil fuels. Instead, they are equipped with one or more electric motors, which use energy from lithium-ion batteries to operate. When the driver presses the accelerator, energy from the battery is transferred to the electric motor, creating traction to move the vehicle.
How it works: BEVs operate entirely on electricity stored in batteries. The electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, allowing the vehicle to move. The battery is charged by plugging into the mains (home, public charging station, fast charging station).
Advantage:
Disadvantages:
For example: VinFast VF e34, VinFast VF 8, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model Y, Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia EV6, Nissan Leaf.
Hybrid cars, also known as Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), are vehicles that combine an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. This technology allows the vehicle to operate on both gasoline and electricity, providing many benefits in terms of fuel economy and reduced emissions.
How it works: HEVs combine an internal combustion engine (gasoline or diesel) and one or more electric motors. The electric motor assists the internal combustion engine when accelerating, starting or moving at low speeds, helping to reduce fuel consumption. Energy for the electric motor is generated through a regenerative braking system (energy recovery when braking) and the internal combustion engine. HEVs do not need to be charged from an external power source.
Advantage:
Disadvantages:
For example: Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid, Honda Civic e:HEV, Ford Escape Hybrid.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) are vehicles that combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor, with the ability to charge the battery from an external power source. This is a flexible transportation solution, saving fuel and reducing emissions.
How it works: PHEVs are similar to HEVs but have larger batteries and the ability to charge from an external power source (like BEVs). PHEVs can travel a certain distance (usually from a few dozen to more than 100 km) on electricity alone, then switch to hybrid mode when the battery is depleted.
Advantage:
Disadvantages:
Examples: Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, Volvo XC90 Recharge, BMW 330e, Mercedes-Benz C300e.
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, also known as Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs), are a type of vehicle that uses fuel cells to convert the chemical energy from hydrogen gas into electricity. FCEVs are considered a clean transportation solution, emitting no toxic gases, only water and heat.
How it works: FCEV uses a hydrogen fuel cell to generate electricity. Hydrogen is stored in a tank on the vehicle, and when combined with oxygen from the air in the fuel cell, it produces electricity and water. This electricity is used to operate the electric motor.
Advantage:
Disadvantages:
Examples: Hyundai Nexo, Toyota Mirai.
Below is a comparison table of four types of electric cars based on some important criteria:
Criteria | BEV | HEV | PHEV | FCEV |
Price | Medium | Low | High | Very high |
Travel distance | 200-500 km | 400-800 km | 30-60 km (electric) | 500-700 km |
Efficiency | High | Medium | Medium | High |
Operating and maintenance costs | Low | Low | Low | Low |
Features, technology | Advanced | Basic | Advanced | Advanced |
Charging/recharging time | 4-8 hours | No charging required | 2-4 hours | 5-10 minutes |
Environmentally friendly | Very good | Good | Pretty good | Very good |
Evaluating the best electric car requires two basic criteria: usage conditions and target users.
Under different usage conditions:
For different user groups:
When choosing to buy an electric car, you need to clearly define your usage needs, budget and consider factors such as brand reputation, safety features, convenient design and battery charging system to make the most appropriate decision.
Before deciding to buy an electric car, you need to clearly define your usage needs:
Price is an important factor to consider when buying an electric car. You need to clearly define your budget to choose the right car model.
4 factors to evaluate electric cars include: brand reputation, safety features, design/convenience and battery charging system.
Electric cars Designed with strict safety standards, even with superior safety features compared to gasoline cars such as collision warning system, lane keeping assist.
The time to fully charge the battery depends on the battery capacity and charger capacity. Typically, the time to fully charge the battery ranges from 4-8 hours with an AC charger and 30 minutes – 1 hour with a DC charger.
If you need to find a car charging station system in HCM, see more articles Top 99+ Electric Car Charging Stations.
Electric vehicles cost 30-50% less to maintain than conventional vehicles due to fewer moving parts, no need for engine oil changes, and regenerative braking that extends brake pad life.
Extreme weather conditions such as extremely high or low temperatures can affect battery performance. However, manufacturers have researched and implemented technologies to minimize this impact.
Most electric vehicle batteries have a lifespan of 10-20 years or 150.000-200.000 km, depending on usage and maintenance. Many car manufacturers offer a battery warranty of 8-10 years.
To extend battery life, you should:
Job Buy a used electric car can help you save money. However, you need to carefully check the condition of the battery, electrical system and maintenance history of the car.
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