An electric vehicle is a car, truck or bus that uses an electric motor to run, instead of a traditional internal combustion engine. An EV’s energy comes from a battery that’s charged through the vehicle plug-in or plugged into the power grid.
Unlike smartphone or laptop batteries that degrade after 2-3 years, EV batteries are designed for thousands of charge cycles. They use specialized lithium-ion technology with advanced cooling systems that optimize performance and longevity.
When compared to gasoline cars, EVs produce significantly lower emissions, especially when the electricity comes from renewable sources such as hydropower. In addition, EVs can be fueled using a fraction of the oil used to fuel gas-powered cars in many parts of the world.
Consumer demand for EVs has grown dramatically over the past few years. A combination of factors is expected to continue driving the growth of EV adoption: environmental concerns, greater vehicle choice, improved battery capacity and cost savings.
In the United States, EV sales have grown at a rate of more than 50% in the past five years and are expected to continue growing as more drivers experience firsthand how quiet, smooth and dependable these vehicles are.
EVs are also becoming more affordable as manufacturers spread industry best practices, leverage economies of scale, innovate their technology and develop charging infrastructures that reduce costs and time-to-full. And, by working with their local governments to incentivize consumers with tax credits and other incentives, EV manufacturers can help alleviate range anxiety concerns.