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 Vehicle Series
Finally, interesting uses for the blockchain that go beyond bitcoin
Dec 05, 2015 05:02 am UTC|
Insights & Views
Most people who have heard the term think that the blockchain is only something to do with cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, litecoin, doguecoin and others. Its the technology that underpins digital currencies and ensures...
Electric Vehicle Series
For Tesla Safety Comes First, Recalls 90,000 Model S Vehicles For Seatbelt Inspection
Nov 24, 2015 07:29 am UTC|
Business
Tesla, the electric car maker, last week took a proactive step by recalling 90,000 vehicles of the Model S after finding a Model S in Europe with a faulty front seatbelt.
Describing the problem with seatbelts, Tesla...
Electric Vehicle Series
Fitch: Strong US Auto Sales Continue but Industry Risks Remain
Nov 04, 2015 22:36 pm UTC|
Research & Analysis
Auto sales continue to be strong in the U.S., but numerous industry risks pose ongoing challenges, according to Fitch Ratings. Weak market conditions in a number of regions outside the U.S., labor contract negotiations in...
Electric Vehicle Series
General Motors Announces Alliance With LG, To Challenge Tesla Motors
Oct 21, 2015 19:01 pm UTC|
Business
Is there a new player in the electric automobile industry? It appears so, if we based it on General Motors announcement of its strategic alliance with Korean company LG on Tuesday.
According to ValueWalk, the veteran...
Electric Vehicle Series
Tesla Model S Sedan - ‘Best Performing’ But Not ‘Reliable’
Oct 21, 2015 05:25 am UTC|
Technology
Heres some bad news for the luxury electric car maker Tesla. On the basis of Annual Auto Reliability Survey, Consumer Reports said that it would not recommend Tesla Model S and it forecasts that owning the said variant is...
Electric Vehicle Series
Tesla enables Autopilot feature, rolls out software 7.0
Oct 15, 2015 06:57 am UTC|
Technology
Tesla Motors, the American electric car manufacturer, released its new software version on Wednesday that enables autopilot feature. It will be available for customers in the U.S. from Thursday, while European and Asian...
Electric Vehicle Series
Apple plans “never seen before” campus in Sunnyvale
Oct 02, 2015 09:44 am UTC|
Technology
Apple Inc.has signed a deal for Landbank Investments LLCs planned Central Wolfe campus a 777,000-square-foot project at Central Expressway and Wolfe Road, Sunnyvale. It is expected to look like nothing else ever...
Politics 
Germany Warns of Daily Hybrid Warfare Threats
Germany is facing foreign hybrid warfare operations on a daily basis, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt has warned after authorities discovered an explosive-carrying drone at Leipzig/Halle Airport. Dobrindt said hostile...
Technology 
OpenAI Restricts Astra AI Over Cyberattack Risks
OpenAI has reportedly restricted parts of the development of its next-generation AI model, code-named Astra, after early evaluations indicated the system could potentially carry out sophisticated cyberattacks with limited...
Nintendo Shares Jump as Switch 2 Sales Boost Earnings
Nintendo shares surged nearly 5% on Friday after the Japanese gaming giant reported stronger-than-expected first-quarter earnings and upgraded its full-year financial outlook, supported by robust demand for the new Switch...