Call now

How Do Electric Vehicles Work?

Last updated 02/01/2023

Image illustrating the main components of an electric vehicle.
Image courtesy of Carnegie Mellon University

Why trust SaveOnEnergy?

Learn More

At SaveOnEnergy, we work to offer accurate information with editorial integrity. Our partners do not direct our editorial content, though we may reference their products in our posts. Read more about how we make money.

Key Points

  • An EV is fueled by electricity instead of gasoline. It functions with an electric motor, not an internal combustion engine (ICE).
  • EVs generally require less maintenance, like regular fluid changes, emission checks, or fuel filters, compared to gasoline-powered cars.
  • EVs include three broad car types — battery electric vehicles (BEV), plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), and hybrid electric vehicles (HEV).
Ready to shop for an energy plan? Let’s get you taken care of. Call:

Enter your ZIP code to get started

Are you moving to a new address?