An electric car is a plug-in battery powered automobile which is propelled by electric motor(s).
An electric vehicle (EV), also referred to as an electric drive vehicle, uses one or more electric motors for propulsion.
Electric vehicles include electric cars, electric trains, electric lorries, electric airplanes, electric boats, electric motorcycles and scooters, electric kick scooters and skateboards, and electric spacecraft.
Electric vehicles first came into existence in the mid-19th century, when electricity was among the preferred methods for automobile propulsion, providing a level of comfort and ease of operation that could not be achieved by the gasoline cars of the time!
In 2003 the first mass produced hybrid gasoline-electric vehicle, the Toyota Prius, was introduced worldwide, and major auto companies have plans to introduce plug-in hybrid and true battery electric vehicles in showrooms in 2010 and 2011.
The electric motor can also serve in regenerative braking that will recharge the batteries and assist in increasing the longevity of the brake pads.
Historically, EVs and PHEVs have had problems with high battery costs, limited range between battery recharging, charging time, and battery lifespan, which have limited their widespread adoption.
Ongoing battery technology advancements have reduced many of these problems; many models have recently been prototyped, and a few future production models have been announced
Unlimited Range Electric Car
A hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) is a vehicle which combines a conventional ground propulsion system with an on-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) to achieve better fuel economy in automobiles than a conventional vehicle without being hampered by range from a charging unit like a battery electric vehicle, which uses batteries charged by an external source
Demonstration: Electric car vs. Ferrari
Demonstration: Electric Car in-wheel motor
And now check the Volvo’s Electric Car concept