An electric vehicle, or EV, is any vehicle that uses one or more electric motors for propulsion. While they feel like a recent invention, the idea is surprisingly old. The first crude electric carriages were built in the 1830s, and by the early 1900s, electric cars were relatively common in cities. They were quiet, easy to operate, and didn't produce smelly pollutants.

However, the mass production of affordable gasoline-powered cars, like the Ford Model T, along with the discovery of cheap crude oil, pushed electric vehicles to the sidelines for decades. It wasn't until the turn of the 21st century, with growing concerns about climate change and major advances in battery technology, that EVs made a serious comeback.

The term "electric vehicle" covers a few different types of cars. They all use electricity to some degree, but how they do it varies significantly. Think of them as a family with distinct personalities.

Hybrids, like the original Toyota Prius, have both a gasoline engine and a small electric motor. You can't plug them in. The electric motor assists the gas engine, improving fuel efficiency. The car's own momentum and the gas engine recharge the battery. It’s a gasoline car that gets a helpful electric boost.

Plug-in hybrids are a step closer to fully electric. They also have a gas engine and an electric motor, but the battery is much larger and, as the name suggests, you can plug it in to charge. This allows you to drive a certain distance, typically 20-50 miles, on electricity alone. For short trips, you might not use any gas at all. The gas engine is there as a backup for longer journeys.

This is what most people think of when they hear "EV." Battery electric vehicles run 100% on electricity. They have a large battery pack and one or more electric motors, but no gasoline engine whatsoever. To refuel, you must plug them into a charging station. Cars from Tesla, the Nissan LEAF, and the Ford Mustang Mach-E are all BEVs.

Comparing a pure EV (a BEV) to a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle reveals some fundamental differences in how they drive and what they require to keep running.

An ICE vehicle's engine has hundreds of moving parts, requiring regular oil changes, spark plug replacements, and other maintenance. An EV's powertrain is much simpler. It consists of the battery, an inverter, and the motor itself. This means no oil changes, no exhaust systems, and far fewer check-ups.

When it comes to driving, the experience is also distinct. EVs deliver instant torque, meaning all the motor's power is available immediately. This results in smooth, quick, and quiet acceleration that often feels faster than a comparable gas car. And of course, the most significant difference is the environmental impact. BEVs produce zero tailpipe emissions, which is a major benefit for air quality in urban areas.

This foundational knowledge of what EVs are and the different types available sets the stage for understanding the technology that makes them work.