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
Another Electric Flying Car Will Be Market-Ready This Year
Apr 25, 2017 23:56 pm UTC|
Technology
As yet another sign that the age of flying cars is on its way, a new contender in the electric flying personal vehicle has arrived. Called the Kitty Hawk Flyer, it was made by a company that was actually backed by Larry...
Electric Vehicle Series
The Most Affordable Electric Vehicle In The Market
Apr 19, 2017 07:43 am UTC|
Technology
Right now, Tesla is the biggest name in the electric car business, which is fuelled by the fact that it is now the most valuable auto company in the US. However, its vehicles arent exactly the most affordable options,...
Electric Vehicle Series
Tesla Competitors Are Coming Out With Impressive Offers One After Another
Apr 12, 2017 14:39 pm UTC|
Technology
At the moment, Tesla is the king of electric supercars that even surpass what some gas models can offer. Its Model S is faster, more efficient, and more stylish than most mid-range vehicles. On that note, a crown comes...
Electric Vehicle Series
How electric cars can help save the grid
Mar 22, 2017 08:26 am UTC|
Insights & Views Technology
A key question amid the consternation over the current state of Australias east coast energy market has been how much renewable energy capacity to build, and how fast.
But help could be at hand from a surprising source:...
Electric Vehicle Series
Shell Started Offering Electric Charging Stations, Big Change For Big Oil
Feb 07, 2017 03:53 am UTC|
Technology
Fossil fuel is on the decline in terms of use and interest among consumers, and companies in the oil industry know this. Thats why its not a big surprise that Shell has started offering charging stations for electric...
Electric Vehicle Series
Five reasons why you might be driving electric sooner than you think
Jan 26, 2017 14:21 pm UTC|
Insights & Views Technology
There is huge potential for using electric vehicles to tackle climate change, give us cleaner air and grow the green economy. The question is, when it will make sense for most of us to ditch diesel and petrol, and go...
Electric Vehicle Series
Tesla Free And Clear, No Defects Found In Autopilot
Jan 20, 2017 09:58 am UTC|
Technology
For months, Tesla Motors has been under a magnifying glass after traffic incidents occurred involving their vehicles equipped with Autopilot. The car company just had a major thorn pulled from its side with the National...
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...