Terminology
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Emission-free vehicles that do not release exhaust gases into the environment during operation are also called
“zero-emission vehicles” (ZEV).
Battery-powered vehicles that are moved exclusively by an electric drive are also called “battery electric vehicles”
(BEV). The energy required to run the vehicle is supplied by a high-voltage battery that is charged with the mains.
The “Electric Vehicle Index” (EVI) measures the development of electromobility. It uses nine different criteria to
evaluate both the market for electric cars and the production in different industrial nations. The current order of
investigated countries is: USA, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, China, Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, Denmark,
Portugal and Ireland.
Hybrid drive
Electric driving
Charging with electricity from the mains
Electric vehicles with fuel
cell (FCBEV)
Moved only by an electric
drive.
The energy for operation is
produced by a fuel cell.
It is fuelled with hydrogen.
Hybrid with
range extender (RXBEV)
Like BEV plus:
Electric vehicles with
battery (BEV)
Moved only by an electric
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV)
Like HEV plus:
drive.
Plug-in hybrids have high-
voltage batteries that can
also be charged externally
via the electrical mains.
The range is extended by a
combustion engine that
generates electrical
energy for the electric
motor.
The energy required to run
the vehicle is supplied by a
high-voltage battery that is
charged with the mains.
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Overview of the abbreviations used:
BEV - Battery Electric Vehicle
HEV - Hybrid Electric Vehicle; full hybrid vehicle
FCBEV - Fuel Cell Battery Electric Vehicle; battery-powered vehicle with fuel cell
PHEV - Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle; vehicle with full hybrid drive and external charging facility
RXBEV - Range Extender Battery Electric Vehicle; battery-powered vehicle with additional generator drive
to increase range (range extender)
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