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Do electric cars have engines?

I heard that some electric cars have engines, some don’t. Why is that?

avatar
Ru Chen · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Good question! The reason only some
electric cars
have engines is because there are different subcategories of EVs:
  • Fully electric vehicles (EVs)
  • Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)
  • Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)
In fully electric cars, there is no traditional engine. Instead, **fully electric cars have a rechargeable battery **and **no engine. **
However, hybrids have both an internal combustion engine (ICE) and an electric propulsion system that helps the engine out.
Meanwhile, plug-in hybrids, which have the option of running solely on battery power, also do have an engine.
So the answer really depends on what exact type of electric car you’re looking at.
To recap: does it have an engine?:
Full-electric car: No.
Hybrid car: Yes.
**Plug-in hybrid: Yes. **
Perhaps unfortunately, no matter what kind of car you own or want to buy, engine or no, insurance can be a potential headache.
Enter
Jerry
. For the best rates and coverage options, consider using the Jerry app. Jerry sources personalized insurance quotes from over 50 top providers, like Nationwide and Travelers, in seconds for free.
MORE: Which EVs Offer the Best Range? A Price-Per-Mile Comparison
View full answer 
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