Electric car

An electric car or electric vehicle (EV) is an automobile that uses electrical energy as the primary source of propulsion. 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 advantages over traditional cars. They are quieter, faster to speed up, and more efficient. Because they don’t burn fuel, they don’t produce harmful exhaust fumes, which helps keep the air cleaner. This also means they usually have a smaller impact on the environment. 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. In 2025, more than 21 million electric cars were sold around the world. Countries like China have the most electric cars on the road, while places such as the United States and the European Union are also adopting them quickly. Some of the most popular electric cars include the Tesla Model Y and the Tesla Model 3, which has become the best-selling electric car in history. As technology improves, more people are choosing electric cars to help reduce pollution and fight climate change.

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), which uses a rechargeable battery pack that you can plug into the electric grid to charge. This battery is the only power source that moves the car's wheels. These cars can drive on regular roads, but there are also smaller electric vehicles called Neighborhood Electric Vehicles in the United States and electric motorised quadricycles in Europe, which are made for slower speeds and shorter trips.

History

Main article: History of the electric vehicle

Robert Anderson is often credited with inventing the first electric car sometime between 1832 and 1839. In the 1880s, several important electric cars were made, such as Gustave Trouvé’s car in 1881 and Werner von Siemens’s Electromote trolleybus in 1882. Electric cars were popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s because they were quiet and easy to operate.

Interest in electric cars grew again in the 1990s as rules pushed for cleaner cars. Tesla made the Roadster in 2008, which could go far on a single charge. Since then, electric cars have become more common, with models like the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model 3 leading in sales. Today, many people around the world are choosing electric cars to help reduce pollution.

Economics

Electric vehicles (EVs) usually cost less to own than cars with regular engines. This is because electricity is often cheaper than petrol, and EV engines use energy better. Also, EVs 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 bad for 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 and 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, with some claiming they can reach speeds very quickly.

Energy efficiency

Electric cars are much more efficient than cars with regular engines. Regular engines can only use about 15% of the fuel's energy to move the car, while electric cars can use over 77% of the electricity to move. Electric motors turn most of the energy into motion, and 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. Instead of using heat from the engine, they can use special machines called heat pumps or other technologies. Some electric cars can even heat up while they are plugged in, and some use small fuel units or solar power to help cool the cabin.

Safety

Electric cars follow special safety rules set by the international standard ISO 6469. This standard looks at three main areas: keeping the battery safe, making sure the car works well even if something goes wrong, and preventing 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 also 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 much like cars with automatic transmissions. Even without a parking pawl, they often still 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, which slows the car and helps recharge the battery when you lift off the accelerator. This 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, which gives them a lot of power and energy in a small space. Other types of batteries, like lithium iron phosphate, are also used because 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 weather conditions. Most cars show an estimated range 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. While charging at home is common, 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 even 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 became the world's leading electric vehicle manufacturer in December 2019. Its Model S was the top-selling plug-in electric car in 2015 and 2016, and the Model 3 has been the best-selling plug-in electric car from 2018 to 2021. BYD Auto is another top manufacturer, especially in China, and it surpassed Tesla in sales at the end of 2023.

In 2021, there were about 16.5 million electric cars on the world's roads, with China having the most. Electric cars have been selling better than plug-in hybrids since 2012.

Public opinion

A 2022 survey showed that in Europe, 67% of car buyers would choose a hybrid or electric vehicle, but only 28% prefer electric cars, making them the least popular choice. In China, 44% of car buyers are most likely to buy an electric car, while in the U.S., 38% 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. Overall, public opinion on electric vehicles differs by country. In Europe, environmental concerns are pushing more people to choose electric cars, while in the U.S., concerns about cost and driving range are barriers. In China, government support and better infrastructure have increased confidence in electric vehicles. Norway leads in electric vehicle adoption, with nine out of ten new cars being electric, thanks to government incentives and good charging facilities.

Government policies and incentives

Main article: Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles

See also: Phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles

Many governments around the world have created policies to help more people use electric cars. These policies can include money help for buyers and makers of electric cars, special rules that make it easier to charge electric cars, and long-term goals to reduce pollution from cars.

Some countries give money back to people who buy electric cars, let electric cars drive in special lanes, and require certain 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 make electric cars 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 turned the industry into an important area of global strategy and trade discussions. China's strong position, built through careful planning and large-scale production, has led countries like the European Union and the U.S. to take steps to protect their own industries. These steps include special taxes on Chinese electric cars to balance out what some see as unfair advantages.

Because of China's success, other countries have put tariffs or taxes on Chinese electric vehicles to shield their own markets. For example, the European Commission decided in October 2024 to add extra taxes on Chinese electric cars, claiming that Chinese government support gives their companies an unfair edge. In response, China challenged this decision internationally. The U.S. and Canada have also placed very high taxes on Chinese electric vehicles to limit their impact on local markets. As a result, 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 predict that by 2030, around 31.1 million electric cars might be sold worldwide. Another prediction says that if we follow current rules, there will be almost 145 million electric cars on the road by then, but if we use better policies for the environment, that number could rise to 230 million.

As of 2024, more than 700 million people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, still don’t have electricity. Plans are in place 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, but car makers are building or planning factories in 21 African countries.