An electric vehicle (EV) encompasses any automobile, truck, bus, or van propelled by an electric motor, drawing power from on-board batteries. Two prevalent battery types are utilized in EVs, with energy sources for charging independent of the vehicle, including solar cells and the utility grid.
Currently, manufacturers offer a diverse range of EVs, spanning electric cars, light trucks, service vans, and buses, albeit with availability varying across geographic regions. According to estimates by the Electric Vehicle Association of America, over the past four years, more than 4,800 electric cars and light trucks have been delivered to consumers. Specialized design vehicles like buses operating on regular routes and neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs) tailored for short-distance travels have showcased notable success.
Furthermore, technologies initially developed for electric vehicles have found application in gasoline-powered hybrid vehicles, employing electric motor-assisted propulsion and regenerative braking.