what is electric car

on

 Everyday favourite EVs

An electric car or electric vehicle (EV) is an automobile that is propelled by one or more electric traction motors, using only energy stored in batteries. Compared to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, electric cars are quieter, more responsive, have superior energy conversion efficiency and no exhaust emissions and lower overall vehicle emissions[1] (however the power plant supplying the electricity might generate its own emissions). The term "electric car" normally refers to battery electric vehicle (BEV), but broadly may also include plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) and fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

The electric vehicle battery typically needs to be plugged into a mains electricity power supply for recharging in order to maximize the cruising range. Recharging an electric car can be done at a variety of charging stations; these charging stations can be installed in private homes, parking garages and public areas.[2] There are also research and development in other technologies such as battery swapping and inductive charging. As the recharging infrastructures (especially those with fast chargers) are still in its relative infancy, range anxiety and time cost are frequent psychological obstacles against electric cars during consumer purchasing decisions.

Worldwide, 10 million plug-in electric cars were sold in 2022, a total of 14% of new car sales.[3] Up from 9% in 2021. Many countries have established government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles, tax credits, subsidies, and other non-monetary incentives while several countries have legislated to phase-out sales of fossil fuel cars,[4][5] to reduce air pollution and limit climate change.[6][7] EVs are expected to account for nearly one-fifth of global car sales in 2023, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).[8]

China currently has the largest stock of electric vehicles in the world, with cumulative sales of 5.5 million units through December 2020,[9] although these figures also include heavy-duty commercial vehicles such as buses, garbage trucks and sanitation vehicles, and only accounts for vehicles manufactured in China.[10][11][12][13][14][15] In the United States and the European Union, as of 2020, the total cost of ownership of recent electric vehicles is cheaper than that of equivalent ICE cars, due to lower fueling and maintenance costs.[16][17]

The Tesla Model 3 became the world's all-time best-selling electric car in early 2020,[18] and in June 2021 became the first electric car to pass 1 million global sales.[19] Together with other emerging automotive technologies such as autonomous driving, connected vehicles and shared mobility, electric cars form a future mobility vision called Autonomous, Connected, Electric and Shared (ACES) Mobility.[20]

Terminology[edit]

See also: Vehicle classification by propulsion system, Plug-in electric vehicle § Terminology, and Battery electric vehicle

The term "electric car" typically refers specifically to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) or all-electric cars, a type of electric vehicle (EV) that has an onboard rechargeable battery pack that can be plugged in and charged from the electric grid, and the electricity stored on the vehicle is the only energy source that provide propulsion for the wheels. The term generally refers to highway-capable automobiles, but there are also low-speed electric vehicles with limitations in terms of weight, power and maximum speed that are allowed to travel on public roads. The latter are classified as Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) in the United States,[21] and as electric motorised quadricycles in Europe.[22]

History[edit]

Main article: History of the electric vehicle

Early developments[edit]

Robert Anderson is often credited with inventing the first electric car some time between 1832 and 1839.[23]

The following experimental electric cars appeared during the 1880s:

Electricity was among the preferred methods for automobile propulsion in the late-19th and early-20th centuries, providing a level of comfort and an ease of operation that could not be achieved by the gasoline-driven cars of the time.[31] The electric vehicle fleet peaked at approximately 30,000 vehicles at the turn of the 20th century.[32]

In 1897, electric cars first found commercial use as taxis in Britain and in the United States. In London, Walter Bersey's electric cabs were the first self-propelled vehicles for hire at a time when cabs were horse-drawn.[33] In New York City, a fleet of twelve hansom cabs and one brougham, based on the design of the Electrobat II, formed part of a project funded in part by the Electric Storage Battery Company of Philadelphia.[34] During the 20th century, the main manufacturers of electric vehicles in the United States included Anthony Electric, Baker, Columbia, Anderson, Edison, Riker, Milburn, Bailey Electric, and Detroit Electric. Their electric vehicles were quieter than gasoline-powered ones, and did not require gear changes.[35][36]

Six electric cars held the land speed record in the 19th century.[37] The last of them was the rocket-shaped La Jamais Contente, driven by Camille Jenatzy, which broke the 100 km/h (62 mph) speed barrier by reaching a top speed of 105.88 km/h (65.79 mph) in 1899.

Electric cars remained popular until advances in internal-combustion engine (ICE) cars and mass production of cheaper gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles led to a decline. ICE cars' much quicker refueling times and cheaper production-costs made them more popular. However, a decisive moment came with the introduction in 1912 of the electric starter motor[38] that replaced other, often laborious, methods of starting the ICE, such as hand-cranking

Comments

Post a Comment