Electric car

An electric car or electric vehicle (EV) is an automobile that uses electrical energy for moving. These cars are different from regular cars because they don’t use fuel like gasoline. Instead, they run on electricity stored in batteries. Some electric cars, called battery electric vehicles (BEVs), only use battery power. Others, like plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), can use both electricity and fuel.

Electric cars have many good points over regular cars. They are quieter, faster to speed up, and more efficient. Because they don’t burn fuel, they don’t make harmful exhaust fumes, which helps keep the air cleaner. This also means they usually help the environment more. However, one challenge is that their batteries need to be recharged, often using special charging stations found in homes, parking garages, and public places.

In recent years, electric cars have become very popular. Countries like China have many electric cars on the road, while places such as the United States and the European Union are also using them more. Some of the most popular electric cars include the Tesla Model Y and the Tesla Model 3. As technology gets better, more people are choosing electric cars to help reduce pollution.

Terminology

See also: Vehicle classification by propulsion system, Plug-in electric vehicle § Terminology, and Battery electric vehicle

The term "electric car" usually means a battery electric vehicle (BEV). These cars use a rechargeable battery pack that you plug into the electric grid to charge. The battery is the only power source that moves the car's wheels. These cars can drive on normal roads. There are also smaller electric vehicles called Neighborhood Electric Vehicles in the United States and electric motorised quadricycles in Europe. These are made for slower speeds and shorter trips.

History

Main article: History of the electric vehicle

Robert Anderson invented the first electric car a long time ago, between 1832 and 1839. In the 1880s, important electric cars were made, like Gustave Trouvé’s car in 1881 and Werner von Siemens’s Electromote trolleybus in 1882. Electric cars were popular a long time ago because they were quiet and easy to use.

People started to like electric cars again in the 1990s because they are cleaner for the environment. Tesla made the Roadster in 2008, and it could go far on one charge. Now, electric cars are more common. Models like the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model 3 are selling well. Today, many people choose electric cars to help keep the air clean.

Economics

Electric vehicles (EVs) often cost less to own than cars with regular engines. This is because electricity is usually cheaper than petrol, and EV engines use energy better. EVs also need less maintenance because they have fewer moving parts.

Buying an EV can be more expensive at first, but this difference is getting smaller. The battery is the biggest cost in an EV, but battery prices have dropped a lot over the years. Some small EVs in China are now cheaper than similar petrol cars.

Environmental aspects

Main articles: Environmental aspects of the electric car and Electric vehicle § Environmental impact

Electric cars help reduce air pollution because they don’t emit harmful gases like regular cars. However, they still release tiny particles from tires. One good thing about electric cars is that they often need less braking because of a feature called regenerative braking, which helps save brakes and makes maintenance easier.

Making the batteries for electric cars can be hard on the environment, but over time, this is usually balanced out by not needing to use as much oil for regular cars. Some people worry that electric cars alone won’t solve big problems like climate change, especially when there are other ways to travel, like walking, using buses, or riding scooters.

Performance

Electric motors give electric cars a lot of power for their size. They can start moving quickly from a stop because they have strong twisting force right away. This helps electric cars speed up faster than many regular cars. Some electric cars even have a motor at each wheel to make them go even quicker.

Because electric motors don’t need to shift gears like some other cars, they can be simpler and more efficient. Special racing electric cars have been made to go very fast.

Energy efficiency

Electric cars are more efficient than cars with regular engines. Regular engines use only about 15% of the fuel's energy to move the car. Electric cars can use over 77% of the electricity to move. Electric motors turn most of the energy into motion. Some electric cars have special brakes that can save energy while slowing down.

Electric cars need different ways to heat and cool the inside of the car. They can use special machines called heat pumps or other technologies. Some electric cars can heat up while they are plugged in. Some use small fuel units or solar power to help cool the cabin.

Safety

Electric cars have special safety rules set by the international standard ISO 6469. These rules focus on three main things: keeping the battery safe, making sure the car works well if something goes wrong, and stopping electrical dangers.

Even though electric cars can be heavier because of their batteries, this extra weight can help keep people inside the car safer during a crash. However, it can be riskier for people outside the car, like pedestrians. The lower position of the battery helps the car stay stable and less likely to tip over. Like regular cars, electric car batteries can catch fire after an accident, but these fires are less common than with regular cars. Special training helps firefighters deal with these situations.

Main article: Plug-in electric vehicle fire incidents

Controls

Most electric cars have driving controls like cars with automatic transmissions. Even without a parking pawl, they often have "P" (park) and "N" (neutral) modes. In "N", the motor turns off, and an electric hand brake keeps the car in place.

Electric cars use regenerative braking. This slows the car and helps recharge the battery when you lift off the accelerator. It also reduces wear on regular brakes, saving money and maintenance.

Batteries

Main article: Electric vehicle battery

Electric cars use special batteries, often made with a chemical called lithium-ion. These batteries give the car power and energy in a small space. Other types of batteries, like lithium iron phosphate, are also used. They don’t need certain expensive materials and can help make cars cheaper.

The distance an electric car can travel depends on its battery, the car’s design, and the weather. Most cars show an estimated distance on a screen, but this can change based on how you drive and other factors. Drivers can use this information to decide when to stop and charge.

Cars are usually charged at home overnight using a special plug. Public charging stations are faster and can refill a car more quickly. Different countries use different types of plugs, but adapters can help cars charge at most stations. Some companies are working on ways to swap out batteries quickly instead of waiting to charge them.

Currently available electric cars

Main article: List of production battery electric vehicles

Tesla is a big maker of electric cars. Its Model S was very popular in 2015 and 2016. The Model 3 has been popular since 2018. BYD Auto is also a top maker, especially in China. It sold more cars than Tesla in late 2023.

In 2021, there were many electric cars on roads around the world. China had the most. Electric cars have been getting more popular each year.

Public opinion

A 2022 survey showed that in Europe, many car buyers would choose a hybrid or electric vehicle, but electric cars were the least popular choice. In China, a lot of car buyers are likely to buy an electric car, while in the U.S., many prefer hybrid cars.

In the European Union, older car buyers are more likely to choose hybrid vehicles, while younger buyers are less interested in them. Public opinion on electric vehicles differs by country. In Europe, concern for the environment is making more people choose electric cars, while in the U.S., cost and driving range are concerns. In China, government support and better facilities have increased confidence in electric vehicles. Norway has the most electric vehicles, with many new cars being electric, thanks to government help and good charging places.

Government policies and incentives

Main article: Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles

See also: Phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles

Many governments have made rules to help more people use electric cars. These rules can give money to people who buy electric cars, make it easier to charge them, and set goals to clean the air.

Some places give money back when people buy electric cars. They let electric cars use special lanes and require some buildings to have charging stations. For example, Norway wants all new cars sold there to be electric or hydrogen-powered by 2025. These rules help electric cars become more popular, but some people think they might not be fair to everyone.

Geopolitics

The rise of China as a leader in making electric cars has made this industry important for global strategy and trade talks. China's strong position comes from careful planning and large production. Because of this, countries like the European Union and the U.S. have taken steps to protect their own industries. They have added special taxes on Chinese electric cars to balance out what some see as unfair advantages.

Because China is very successful, other countries have put tariffs or taxes on Chinese electric vehicles to protect their own markets. For example, the European Commission decided in October 2024 to add extra taxes on Chinese electric cars, saying that Chinese government support gives their companies an unfair edge. In response, China challenged this decision. The U.S. and Canada have also placed high taxes on Chinese electric vehicles. Because of this, Chinese companies are now focusing more on growing in parts of the world where there are fewer rules and more demand for affordable electric cars.

Forecasts

Experts think that by 2030, about 31 million electric cars could be sold around the world. Another guess is that there might be almost 145 million electric cars on the road by 2030 if we keep today’s rules. But with better plans to help the environment, that number could go up to 230 million.

As of 2024, more than 700 million people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, still don’t have electricity. Plans are being made to help 300 million people get electricity by 2030. Right now, Africa has just over 20,000 electric cars and fewer than 1,000 charging stations. Car makers are building or planning factories in 21 African countries.