What is an EV?

An EV (Electric Vehicle) or more correctly a BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) uses electricity stored as energy in a battery to power an electric motor which drives the wheels. A BEV has no combustion engine and is charged from an external source of electricity via a plug socket. Whenever we refer to an EV on this website, strictly speaking we mean BEV but as BEVs become more popular, the media is using EV more and more as shorthand. To read about the different types of EV including hybrids please see our Types of EV page.