Electric Vehicles (EVs)

An electric car runs solely on electricity stored in a battery pack that powers one or more motors. They have zero tailpipe emissions and can be charged in most places for less than it costs to fuel a car with gasoline. EVs offer plenty of range for commuters and long road trips, and most come with warranty coverage and access to a wide network of charging stations.

Some EVs are even more versatile and useful than traditional cars and trucks. Electric crossover SUVs combine roomy cargo space with spirited acceleration and driving dynamics. Many of them are also available with all-wheel drive, which gives the vehicles better all-weather traction and range than front-drive models.

Electric Cars: Paving the Way for Sustainable Transportation

EVs are the key technology to decarbonize the world’s road transport sector, which accounts for 15% of global energy-related emissions. Their popularity has skyrocketed in recent years thanks to expanded model availability, improved range, and lower prices.

Electric cars don’t require oil changes, and their brake pads last longer due to regenerative braking. They also don’t need smog checks or emissions inspections, and they usually run quieter than gas-powered vehicles. Many EVs also qualify for state and local incentives to help drivers make the switch, including the federal EV tax credit.

The first electric vehicles appeared in the early 1800s, with inventor Camille Jenatzy using a pair of direct-drive 25-kW motors to power a carriage in races near Paris. A few decades later, Aptera’s solar-powered K-19 broke the 100-mph barrier in a quarter-mile drag race, but the company filed for bankruptcy soon after.