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DOE/GO-102016-4867 • July 2016

Prepared by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), a national laboratory 

of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; 

NREL is operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

At A Glance: Electric-Drive Vehicles

Electric-drive vehicles can offer several benefits, including improved 

fuel economy, lower fuel costs, and reduced emissions. Photo by Dennis 

Schroeder, NREL 26677

Electric-drive vehicles use 

electricity as their primary 

power source or to improve 

the efficiency of conventional 

vehicle designs. With the 

range of styles and options 

available, there is likely one 

to meet your needs. The 

vehicles can be divided into 

three categories: 

• Hybrid electric vehicles

(HEVs)

• Plug-in hybrid electric

vehicles (PHEVs)

• All-electric vehicles (EVs).

See additional details on 

page 4.

About the Vehicles

Why consider one?

Electric-drive vehicles cost less to operate, so the higher initial vehicle cost can be offset over the lifetime 

of the vehicle. That’s because electric drivetrains are very efficient and electricity is much cheaper than 

gasoline or diesel fuel.

• Because they use little or no gas, these vehicles minimize or even eliminate trips to the gas station.

With an EV or PHEV, you can instead enjoy the convenience of plugging in at home.

• HEVs and PHEVs produce fewer emissions because of their increased fuel economy, and PHEVs

(in all-electric mode) and EVs produce no tailpipe emissions.

• Because electricity is a domestic energy source, using it in vehicles means that America relies less

on imported fuels.

What vehicles are available and how much do they cost?

• Search and compare dozens of models from all major manufacturers

using FuelEconomy.gov.

• Manufacturers’ suggested retail prices (MSRP) start at about $20,000

for HEVs (Honda CRZ), $32,000 for PHEVs (Ford C-Max Energi), and

$23,000 for EVs (Mitsubishi i-MiEV).

HEVs are powered by a traditional gasoline or diesel ICE and 

by an electric motor that uses energy stored in a battery. The 

battery is charged by the ICE and through regenerative braking. 

The vehicle cannot be plugged in to charge. The electric motor 

provides extra power during starts and acceleration, allowing for 

a smaller engine. This results in better fuel economy without 

sacrificing performance. 

PHEVs are similar to HEVs but have a larger battery that allows 

it to travel on electricity alone. The battery can be charged by 

plugging in to an electric power source, through regenerative 

braking, and by the ICE.

Unlike all-electric vehicles, PHEVs don’t have to be plugged in 

before driving. They can be fueled solely with gasoline, like a 

conventional HEV. However, they will not achieve maximum fuel 

economy or take full advantage of their all-electric capabilities 

without plugging in.

EVs run on electricity alone. They are powered by an electric 

motor that uses energy stored in a battery (larger than the 

batteries in an HEV or PHEV). EV batteries are charged by plugging the vehicle in to an electric power source and (to a lesser 

degree) through regenerative braking.

Kia Optima (HEV). Photo courtesy of 

Kia Motors America

Hyundai Sonata (PHEV). Photo 

courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

Ford Focus (EV). Photo from Ford 

Motor Company

Several Options for Going Electric

Below are the types of electric-drive vehicles:

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• A federal tax credit of $2,500-$7,500 is available for PHEV 

and EV purchases. Depending on your location, you may also 

be eligible for incentives from your state, city, or utility. Find 

relevant incentives by searching the Alternative Fuels Data 

Center’s (AFDC) Federal and State Laws & Incentives database 

(afdc.energy.gov/afdc/laws).

Are these vehicles safe?

• HEVs, PHEVs, and EVs undergo the same rigorous safety 

testing as conventional vehicles sold in the United States 

and must meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. 

• Battery packs meet rigorous testing standards, and vehicles 

are designed with insulated high-voltage lines and safety 

features that deactivate electric systems when they detect a 

collision or short circuit.

What about maintenance?

• Because HEVs and PHEVs have an internal combustion 

engine (ICE), their maintenance requirements are similar to 

those of conventional vehicles.

• Electrical systems (battery, motor, and associated electronics) 

require minimal scheduled maintenance. A manufacturer’s 

warranty of a battery typically covers 8 years/100,000 miles. 

Expected battery lifetime is 10-12 years under normal operating conditions.

• EVs have less maintenance requirements because they have 

fewer moving parts and fluids to change.

Public charging stations typically have one or more “Level 2” charging units. Photo by Dennis Schroeder, 

NREL 35149

A “Level 1” cordset can be plugged in to a typical dedicated, 

110-volt household outlet. Photos by Erik Nelsen, NREL 34794 (above) 

and 37587 (inset)

Many EVs come with a Level 1/Level 

2 charge port (right) as well as a DC 

Fast Charge port (left). Photo by Andrew 

Hudgins, NREL 19558

Charging Batteries

Where can I charge?

• Most PHEVs and EVs come with a 110-volt “Level 1” cordset that can be plugged in to a typical 

household outlet (see photo bottom left).

• Homes can also usually be fitted with a 220-volt “Level 2” charging unit.

• More and more workplaces are also installing charging units or 

making 110-volt outlets available to employees and visitors.

• There are now several thousand public charging outlets across the country, including a growing 

number of “DC Fast Charge” units. To locate stations, use the Alternative Fueling Station Locator 

(afdc.energy.gov/stations) or download the iPhone app from the Apple App Store.

How long does it take to recharge?

• “Level 1” charging units add 2-5 miles of range per hour of charging.

• “Level 2” charging units add 10-20 miles of range per hour of charging.

• “DC Fast Charge” units can fully charge a depleted battery in as little as 20 minutes.

How far can I go on a charge?

The distance an electric-drive vehicle can travel on battery power alone, without recharging, is known 

as its “all-electric range.”

• PHEVs can typically go 10-40 miles on battery power alone; their overall range is determined by 

the fuel tank capacity since the ICE kicks in when the battery is depleted.

• EVs can typically go 70-100 miles on a single charge, although a few models (e.g., Tesla Model S) 

can go more than 200 miles.

• Several factors affect actual range including driving conditions, driving habits, and use of 

climate controls.

Did You Know? 

Electricity is much cheaper than 

gasoline or diesel fuel, costing 

about $1.20 per gallon (of gasoline equivalent) at a nationwide 

average.

All-electric vehicles are about 

three times more efficient than 

ICE-powered vehicles, which 

have earned these vehicles top 

spots on FuelEconomy.gov’s 

list of most efficient vehicles 

(fueleconomy.gov/feg/topten.

jsp). Most are rated at more 

than 100 miles per gallon 

(equivalent).

Regenerative braking allows 

HEVs, PHEVs, and EVs to capture 

energy normally lost during 

braking by using the electric 

motor as a generator and 

storing that captured energy 

in the battery.

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