An electric car is an automobile that is propelled by one or more electric motors,

using electrical energy stored in rechargeable batteries or another energy storage

device. Electric motors give electric cars instant torque, creating strong and smooth
acceleration. They are also around three times as efficient as cars with an Internal
combustion engine.

The first electric cars were produced in the 1880s.[1] Electric cars were popular in
the late 19th century and early 20th century, until advances in internal combustion
engines and mass production of cheaper gasoline vehicles led to a decline in the
use of electric drive vehicles. The energy crises of the 1970s and 1980s brought a
short-lived interest in electric cars; although, those cars did not reach the mass
marketing stage, as is the case in the 21st century. Since 2008, a renaissance in
electric vehicle manufacturing has occurred due to advances in batteries and
energy management, concerns about increasing oil prices, and the need to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions.[2][3] Several national and local governments have
established tax credits, subsidies, and other incentives to promote the introduction
and adoption in the mass market of new electric vehicles depending on battery size
and their all-electric range.

Electric cars are typically easy to drive, perform well, and are significantly quieter
than conventional internal combustion engine automobiles. They also do not emit
tailpipe pollutants,[4] giving a large reduction of local air pollution, and, in many
cases, a large reduction in total greenhouse gas and other emissions (dependent on
the method used for electricity generation[2][3]). They also provide for
independence from foreign oil, which in several countries is cause for concern about
vulnerability to oil price volatility and supply disruption.[2][5][6] But widespread
adoption of electric cars faces several hurdles and limitations, including their
current higher purchase cost, patchy recharging infrastructure (other than home
charging) and range anxiety (drivers' fear that electric energy stored in the
batteries will run out before reaching their destination, due to limited range of most
existing electric cars).[2][3] Recharging can take a long time; however, for long
distance driving, many cars support fast charging that can give around 80% charge
in half an hour, using public fast chargers.[7][8][9]

As of June 2015, the number of mass production highway-capable all-electric

passenger cars and utility vans available in the market is limited to over 30 models,
mainly in the United States, Japan, Western European countries and China.
However, battery price is coming down rapidly and sales are increasing, by May
2015 over 500,000 light-duty electric vehicles have been sold worldwide.[10] As of
June 2015, the world's top selling highway-capable electric car is the Nissan Leaf,

released in December 2010 and sold in 46 countries, with global sales of over
180,000 units, followed by the Tesla Model S with over 78,000 units sold since 2012.
[11][12]
Mid to late 20th century: stops and starts
File:Nieuwe elektrische auto-510928.ogvPlay media
The Story, a Dutch electric car made during World War II
1961 Henney Kilowatt electric car based on the Renault Dauphine

Some European nations during World War II experimented with electric cars, but the
technology stagnated. Several ventures were established to build electric cars, such
as the Henney Kilowatt. In 1955, the U.S. Air Pollution Control Act helped address
the growing emissions problems and this law was later amended to establish
regulatory standards for automobiles.[30] In 1959, American Motors Corporation
(AMC) and Sonotone Corporation planned a car to be powered by a "self-charging"
battery.[31] It was to have sintered plate nickel-cadmium batteries.[32] Nu-Way
Industries also showed an experimental electric car with a one-piece plastic body
that was to begin production in early 1960.[31]

Concerns with rapidly decreasing air quality caused by automobiles prompted the
U.S. Congress to pass the Electric Vehicle Development Act of 1966 that provided
for electric car research by universities and laboratories.[30] Meanwhile, the Enfield
Thunderbolt, an electric car produced after a competition run by the Electrical
Board, was won by Enfield Auto, and 100 cars were produced at their factory on the
Isle of Wight.[33] By the late-1960s, the U.S. and Canada Big Three automakers
each had electric car development programs. The much smaller AMC partnered with
Gulton Industries to develop a new battery based on lithium and use an advanced
speed controller.[34] Although a nickel-cadmium battery was used for an all-electric
1969 Rambler American station wagon, other "plug-in" vehicles were developed
with Gulton that included the Amitron and the similar Electron.

The energy crises of the 1970s and 80s brought about renewed interest in the
perceived independence that electric cars had from the fluctuations of the
hydrocarbon energy market. In the early 1990s, the California Air Resources Board
(CARB) began a push for more fuel-efficient, lower-emissions vehicles, with the
ultimate goal being a move to zero-emissions vehicles such as electric vehicles.[2]
[35] In response, automakers developed electric models, including the Chrysler
TEVan, Ford Ranger EV pickup truck, GM EV1, and S10 EV pickup, Honda EV Plus

hatchback, Nissan Altra EV miniwagon, and Toyota RAV4 EV. These cars were
eventually withdrawn from the U.S. market.[36]