Types of Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles offer a number of benefits on the roads of Waianae, Ewa Beach, and beyond, from less maintenance needs to a quieter driving experience to the money you’ll save on gas. And, of course, EVs emit zero tailpipe emissions for a less harmful impact on the environment. But what types of electric vehicles does GM produce? How many types of electric vehicles are there? Get answers to these questions and more below from the team at Honolulu GMC.

How Many Types of Electric Vehicles Are There?

So, how many types of electric vehicles are there? There are two varieties of all-electric vehicles: battery electric and hydrogen electric. Battery electric vehicles contain a battery pack and electric motor. You plug the vehicle into a wall outlet or charging system to charge the battery, and the battery uses the stored energy to power the electric motor. Most battery electric vehicle owners have a home charger installed to charge their vehicles at home for maximum convenience. The Hummer EV and the Hummer EV SUV are two popular examples of battery electric vehicles.

A hydrogen electric vehicle, also known as a fuel cell vehicle, is a less common–though nonetheless efficient–type of electric vehicle. It generates electricity using a fuel cell that’s powered by hydrogen instead of pulling electricity from a battery alone. The amount of stored energy is based on the size of the vehicle’s hydrogen fuel tank. With most hydrogen electric vehicles, the battery recaptures braking energy and delivers additional power for short accelerations and idling.

Key Parts Found in Different Types of Electric Vehicles 

As you can see, battery electric and hydrogen electric vehicles are designed differently to give you a smooth, quiet, and emissions-free ride. While they both include an electric motor and battery, they each have some unique components that distinguish them from one another:

Battery Electric Vehicle Parts

• Battery
• Control Module
• Drive train
• ​​Electric motor
• Inverter

Hydrogen Electric (Fuel Cell) Vehicle Parts

• Battery with converter and controller
• Electric motor
• Fuel-cell stack
• Hydrogen fuel tank

Learn More About GM’s Ultium EV Architecture at Honolulu GMC

With its new Ultium Platform, GM is on the cutting edge of EV technology. This pioneering platform offers modular battery and drive unit combinations that are versatile enough to power a wide range of vehicles, from passenger cars to SUVs to pickups. The Ultium Platform will utilize a charging approach called Ultium Charge 360, which integrates charging networks, mobile apps, and other services for convenient charging on the go, whether you’re sticking close to Honolulu or Waipahu, or you’re far from home. Contact us today to learn more about GM’s EV technology or to start the search for your next electric vehicle.