A battery-powered electric vehicle is a car, SUV or truck powered entirely by an electric motor. The energy stored in the battery comes from renewable sources or from fossil fuels. It doesn’t emit waste gasses like traditional cars and trucks, and it can be charged at public or private charging stations.
EVs have become popular due to their environmental benefits. They don’t burn gasoline or diesel fuel, so they don’t spew toxins into the air and neighborhood. They’re also quieter and more efficient than combustion engines.
The automotive industry has shifted rapidly toward the use of EVs, with McKinsey projecting that global sales will sixfold from 2021 to 2030. This shift will have a major impact on the world’s energy consumption and climate change.
There are now a wide range of electric vehicles to choose from. The market leaders are Tesla’s Model 3 sedan and Model Y SUV, both of which offer excellent balance, broad appeal and, thanks to full qualification for federal EV tax credits, good value. Both of them are capable of tackling a week of commuting on a single charge and will easily cope with a cross-country road trip.
Porsche’s bespoke all-electric Taycan is another highly desirable electric vehicle with impressive performance. It can accelerate to 62mph in just 2.5 seconds and has a top speed of 155mph. Its long-range EPA-certified 248-mile claim is one of the highest among production EVs, while its innovative Active Ride system can tilt the car like a motorcycle to ‘lean’ into corners and raise the ride height when a door is opened for easier entry and exit.
In the luxury and supercar sectors, a number of EV Vehicle are challenging established rivals. The Acura ZDX is a sleek, fast-accelerating SUV with dual electric motors that deliver up to 500 hp and can carry drivers and luggage for up to 325 miles. Its German competitors are the BMW i8 and Mercedes-Benz EQC, both of which have superior handling and ride comfort.
More practical family EVs are available, too. The Kia EV9 is the first proper seven-seater to be sold as an EV, and it also delivers an outstanding driving experience. Volkswagen’s venture into bespoke electric vehicles got off to a rocky start, but its new ID.7 saloon is a more successful attempt to blend utility, quality and comfort with an appealing exterior and impressive drive dynamics. There’s also a larger, Tourer estate version coming in 2024.