1820–1850
Experiments become vehicles
Inventors in Europe and North America tested batteries, motors and small electric carriages. These machines were limited, but they established the core idea: stored electricity could propel a road vehicle.
01The foundation
What is an EV?
An Electric Vehicle—also called a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)—runs entirely on electricity. It has no petrol tank, conventional engine or tailpipe exhaust.
What changes for the driver?
Quiet driving, instant response, home charging potential and fewer traditional engine service items.
Follow the energy journey
01
Charge
Connect to a compatible electricity source.
02
Store
Energy is held in the high-voltage battery.
03
Drive
The motor converts electricity into movement.
04
Recover
Braking returns some energy to the battery.
Core components
Rechargeable battery
Stores the energy used to move the car.
Electric motor
Powers the wheels smoothly and immediately.
Power electronics
Manage energy between battery and motor.
Charging system
Safely replenishes the battery.
Electric cars are older than most people think
EVs are not a recent invention. Their story stretches from early electric carriages to modern battery science—and is now closely tied to cleaner air, renewable power and the global effort to reduce transport emissions.
1859–1890
Rechargeable batteries unlock progress
Gaston Planté’s rechargeable lead-acid battery and later improvements made repeated charging practical. By the 1890s, electric taxis and passenger cars were operating in major cities.
1890–1910
The first electric-car era
EVs were quiet, easy to start and free from exhaust at the street. They competed seriously with steam and petrol cars, especially for short urban journeys, before mass-produced petrol vehicles gained the advantage.
1910–1960
Petrol takes the lead
Cheap fuel, longer road networks, electric starters and fast mass production made petrol cars more convenient and affordable. Electric vehicles survived mainly in specialist roles such as delivery fleets and industrial transport.
1970–1990
Energy and clean-air concerns return
Oil-price shocks, urban air pollution and stronger emissions rules renewed interest in alternatives. Research improved motors, electronics and nickel-based batteries, while early modern EV programmes returned to public roads.
1991–2008
Lithium-ion changes the possibilities
Commercial lithium-ion cells offered far greater energy density than older rechargeable batteries. Better power electronics and battery management made lighter packs, longer range and more practical performance possible.
2008–today
EVs enter the mainstream
Climate action, falling battery costs, charging investment and models from established and new manufacturers accelerated adoption. EVs now connect transport with solar, wind and cleaner grids, reducing tailpipe pollution while battery reuse and recycling continue to develop.