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Vehicles using electric motors for propulsion; all-electric types run from a rechargeable traction battery instead of a combustion engine.
Save conceptAn electric vehicle uses an electric motor for propulsion. In an all-electric, or battery-electric, car, a rechargeable traction battery powers the motor instead of a combustion engine. The broader family also includes designs combining electric drive with another source of propulsion. The type matters when discussing fuel use, charging and emissions.
A battery-electric vehicle receives energy through charging equipment and stores it in its traction battery. Its electrical control system manages the energy delivered to the motor, which produces the mechanical motion used to drive the wheels. Supporting systems manage charging and temperature. Those functions are different from burning liquid fuel in a conventional engine.
Imagine a driver charging a battery-electric car before a journey. The car stores energy in its main battery and uses that energy while driving. The distance available depends on the vehicle and operating conditions. This example explains the process without assigning a current model a price, range or performance claim.
An all-electric car does not produce combustion exhaust from a tailpipe, but that does not make every stage of its manufacture and energy supply emissions-free. Hybrid designs also differ from all-electric cars. The exact vehicle type and the scope of the comparison are needed before drawing conclusions about fuel use, charging requirements or emissions.
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