Nowadays, people have been more sensitive than ever when it comes to clean fuel and energy. With increased levels of pollution and a subsequent decrease in clear air, there has been a shift in the car market towards producing more and more battery electric vehicles (BEVs).

Whether you’re looking to purchase one of these cars, or even if you’re curious about this massive shift in technology, here are some of the major facts and specs when it comes to BEVs:

• Rather than standard fuel, BEVs use electricity that is stored in a large battery back to power electric motors, as well as turn the car’s wheels. With that in mind, these cars run solely on electric energy alone, and are “all-electric.”
• When the battery needs to be charged, it’s hooked up to a charging station that receives energy from the grid.
• Unlike gas-fueled cars, BEVs don’t actually have a tailpipe, seeing as they don’t produce the same type of pollution that a gas-tailpipe does. However, they still produce some levels of pollution, nonetheless. It is important to note that despite still producing low levels of pollution, it comes in the form of heat-trapping gases. Some also make the argument that there is inherent pollution when it comes to BEVs regardless of the battery because it’s hooked up to the grid, which receives electricity from all sorts of sources like coal and wind.
• BEVs tend to be less expensive when it comes to comparing the money you spend on gasoline versus electric energy. It was estimated that people driving BEVs save over $1,000 annually on this expense.

While some of these features sound great, drivers themselves have noted some negative features which detract people from purchasing BEVs. For instance, the BEV will automatically switch to an “idle-off” mode, which kicks in whenever the car is stopped. In theory, these is supposed to save energy, but can sometimes be a hassle for people waiting at long traffic lights.

Whatever the case, it’s important to know these facts whether you’re in the market for a BEV or not!