An electric car is an automobile that is propelled by one or more electric motors, using electrical energy stored in rechargeable batteries or another energy storage device. Electric motors give electric cars instant torque, creating strong and smooth acceleration. They are also around three times as efficient as cars with an internal combustion engine.
The first electric cars were produced in the 1880s. Since 2008, a renaissance in electric vehicle manufacturing has occurred due to advances in batteries and energy management, concerns about increasing oil prices, and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Several national and local governments have established tax credits, subsidies, and other incentives to promote the introduction and adoption in the mass market of new electric vehicles depending on battery size and their all-electric range.
Electric cars are significantly quieter than conventional internal combustion engine automobiles. They do not emit tailpipe pollutants, giving a large reduction of local air pollution, and, can give a significant reduction in total greenhouse gas and other emissions (dependent on the method used for electricity generation).
As of September 2015, there are over 30 models of highway legal all-electric passenger cars and utility vans available for retail sales, mainly in the United States, China, Japan, Western European countries. By mid-September 2015, about 620,000 light-duty electric vehicles have been sold worldwide out of total global sales of one million plug-in electric cars sold since 2008. The world's top selling highway-capable electric car is the Nissan Leaf, released in December 2010 and sold in 46 countries. Global Leaf sales passed the 200,000 unit milestone in December 2015, and the Tesla Model S, released in June 2012, ranks second with over 107,000 units sold worldwide. In this series, we cover stories covering the development of electric vehicles around the world.
Electric Car Series
Elon Musk Has The Pie To Throw At Wall Street’s Face With Strong Tesla Profit
Oct 27, 2016 08:51 am UTC|
Technology
Wall Street has been throwing shade at Tesla Motors and its CEO Elon Musk since the start of the year. In response, Musk wanted to throw a pie at the faces of his detractors with a strong performance. It seems the Tesla...
Electric Car Series
Tim Cook Offers Some Insight Into Apple Car, Apple Pay Adds 1M Users/Week
Oct 26, 2016 07:30 am UTC|
Technology
Apple CEO Tim Cook recently provide some insight into its Project Titan initiative, the clearest indication yet that everybody is not deluded in thinking that an Apple Car might be in the works. Apple Pay has also seen a...
Electric Car Series
Why are the tech giants struggling to build their own driverless cars?
Oct 24, 2016 04:42 am UTC|
Technology
We may have just seen a major player in the drive towards autonomous cars apply screeching brakes. Apple has reportedly abandoned its plans to build its own self-driving electric vehicle and is instead going to focus on...
Electric Car Series
All Tesla Vehicles In Production Will Be Capable Of Fully Autonomous Driving
Oct 20, 2016 10:12 am UTC|
Technology
Despite the many setbacks that Tesla has faced over the last few months, most notably the deaths attributed to its Autopilot system, the company is still moving ahead with its plans for a fully autonomous future. Tesla...
Electric Car Series
Future Of Apple Car Uncertain, Hundreds Of Job Cuts And No Car Partner
Oct 18, 2016 09:37 am UTC|
Technology
In an industry that is increasingly focusing on autonomous driving, one would think that Apples expertise as a tech giant would be highly valued. However, the maker of the iPhone seems to be having some trouble actually...
Electric Car Series
Germany Is Warning Owners Of Tesla Vehicles About Autopilot Feature
Oct 17, 2016 05:39 am UTC|
Technology
With all the excitement over self-driving vehicles and autopilot features, it was only to be expected that something would be lost in translation. This is exactly what is happening with Tesla vehicles where owners think...
Electric Car Series
Maserati Plans To Build Electric Supercars, Avoids Rivalry With Tesla
Oct 11, 2016 07:59 am UTC|
Technology
Right now, Tesla is the undisputed king in the upscale electric vehicle market thanks to its Model S, Model X, and upcoming Model 3 units. With the increasing interest in EVs, it was only a matter of time before luxury car...
Economy
Japan Posts 7.7% Growth in Machinery Orders
In a striking development that looks set to invigorate Japans economic prospects, a key gauge of capital spending in the country has seen its most significant jump in over a year. According to Cabinet Office data released...
A sustainable future begins at ground level
In 2015, the United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a call to action in global partnership. By 2023 it appears that our progress has been far from satisfactory in achieving these...
Politics
Who will Trump pick as his running mate?
Being second in line for leadership of the most powerful country in the world is not an easy job. But for Mike Pence, vice president under Donald Trump, things were even harder than usual.
As insurrectionists descended...