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
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 Vehicle 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 Vehicle 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 Vehicle 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 ...
Electric Vehicle Series
The trucking industry has begun to turn electric — but passenger vehicles will take a little longer
Apr 30, 2021 08:19 am UTC|
Business
Australias trucking industry is making moves to go electric. The latest development a system for using swappable batteries instead of time-consuming recharge stations for long-haul trucks between Sydney and Brisbane ...
Electric Vehicle Series
Tesla delivers 184,800 units in Q1 to surpass record, expectations
Apr 03, 2021 00:35 am UTC|
Business
Tesla Inc posted record deliveries of 184,800 vehicles globally during the first quarter, beating Wall Street estimates of 177,822 vehicles, as solid demand for less expensive models offset the impact of a global shortage...
Electric Vehicle Series
S. Korean, Japanese EV battery makers lose market share to Chinese rivals
Mar 31, 2021 23:42 pm UTC|
Economy
The global market shares of South Koreas three electric vehicle (EV) battery makers LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI Co., and SK Innovation Co dropped in the first two months of the year despite increases in shipments due...
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...