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
How electric vehicle batteries could save the UK auto industry
May 29, 2023 05:31 am UTC|
Technology
The UK may have lost Eurovision this year, but it recently beat European rivals for an arguably more valuable prize. Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is expected to build a multi-billion-pound electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in...
Electric Car Series
Boosting EV market share to 67% of US car sales is a huge leap – but automakers can meet EPA's tough new standards
Apr 14, 2023 14:11 pm UTC|
Business
One big question keeps surfacing after the Biden administration announced plans to raise auto standards so sharply they would likely boost electric vehicle production to 67% of all new passenger vehicle sales in under a...
Electric Car Series
Electric utes can now power the weekend – and the work week
Feb 14, 2023 13:13 pm UTC|
Business
Four years ago, then-Prime Minister Scott Morrison famously claimed electric vehicles (EVs) would end the weekend. Its not going to tow your trailer. Its not going to tow your boat. Its not going to get you out to your...
Electric Car Series
Electric vehicles are now trending. But where can we charge them?
Feb 06, 2023 05:05 am UTC|
Business
Canada is on the road to transformation in mobility. The federal government recently announced its zero-emission vehicle sales target, which requires all light-duty passenger vehicles sold by 2035 to be...
Electric Car Series
Let buyers jump the queue for electric cars by importing them directly
Jan 24, 2023 10:22 am UTC|
Business
If Australia is to decarbonise our energy system by 2050, we need to start the transition to electric vehicles very soon. Cars sold in the 2030s will mostly still be on the road in 2050, so we have to make sure most of...
Electric Car Series
Britishvolt: more evidence UK is falling far behind in race to capture growing EV market
Jan 24, 2023 07:51 am UTC|
Technology
Britishvolt, the would-be electric vehicle (EV) battery maker that recently went into administration, always faced an uphill struggle. The start-up had no track record developing technology and never confirmed how it would...
Electric Car Series
Exclusive. Top economists call for budget measures to speed the switch to electric cars
Jun 20, 2021 12:05 pm UTC|
Economy
Australias top economists overwhelmingly back government measures to speed the transition to electric cars in order to meet emission reduction targets.
An exclusive poll of 62 of Australias preeminent economists ...
Science 
Why don't rocks burn?
While many rocks dont burn, some of them do. It depends on what the rocks are made of and thats related to how they were formed.
There are three main rock types: igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic. These rocks are...