A typical Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) is powered entirely by electricity from the utility grid. Current Battery Electric Vehicles have a range of 80 to100 miles or more. Because the batteries are recharged from the utility grid and from regenerative braking to power an electric motor to propel the vehicle, BEVs produce no tailpipe emissions.

In addition to the recent release of mass-market passenger BEVs, other types of battery electric vehicles in widespread use today include low-speed, neighborhood electric vehicles, airport ground support equipment, and off-road industrial equipment such as fork lifts.

Advantages of battery electric vehicles (BEVs):

• Zero tailpipe emissions (no CO2 or other pollutants)
• Use of cleaner electric energy produced through advanced natural gas and coal gasification technologies
• Energy security by displacing imported petroleum with domestic generated electricity
• Overnight battery recharging (by plugging into a standard 110-volt household outlet or a higher voltage charging unit)
• Recycled energy from regenerative braking
• Lower fuel and operational costs
• Possible use in secondary markets for used batteries and reduced waste
  

Challenges:

• Improving battery technology: lower costs, increased energy density, extended durability
• Possible need for public recharging infrastructure
• Extending mileage range

Check our list of vehicles to see which models are available now, or will be available in the future, for this technology.

See Also

  >> Extended-Range electric vehicles
  >> Fuel Cell electric vehicles
  >> Plug-in Hybrid electric vehicles
  >> Hybrid electric vehicles
  >> Medium/Heavy duty vehicles
  >> Neighborhood electric vehicles