A: Despite what a few naysayer's might claim, the answer to this question is an emphatic "no". The truth is that electricity generation typically produces much less exhaust emission than the gasoline using vehicles currently on the market. This is still true, even when the electrical power grid still uses coal for nearly half of its electricity production, such as the United States.

In reality, an internal combustion engine only pollutes worse over time. However, as newer forms of energy production are reaching the market, electric cars become cleaner over time. At present it is considered possible to charge and run 185 million electric vehicles in the United States at any given time. If this became the case it would practically remove gasoline powered vehicles from the market altogether.

A: The types of batteries used vary with each vehicle manufacturer's design choice. However, the most common include nickel metal hydride (NiMH), lithium iron phosphate (LiFePo4), Lead-acid flooded/AGM deep-cycle, and nickel cadmium(NiCad) batteries. Other notable battery technologies are used as well. These are primarily lithium derived designs such as lithium polymer batters. There are many current research attempts that are designed to use 3-D Li-ion battery types in the future as well.{moofaq view=|search| showtitle=|0| showdesc=|0| }

The vehicle converts electrical energy into motion via a specialized motor. Most vehicles of this type will operate via low-voltage DC motors.

A: These vehicles are quiet and run in an efficient, non-polluting, manner. A BEV does not emit either noxious odors or environmentally damaging gases. Vehicles of this type are powered from any available source of electrical current. This completely removes the dependency on fossil fuels such as gasoline or diesel. One major point to consider regarding these vehicles is maintenance. These vehicles are much simpler in design that an internal combustion engine. This allows for expedient maintenance and repair.

A: The acronym BEV is a short form of stating the term Battery Electric Vehicle. Vehicles of this type work via storing most, if not all, of the energy they need to perform their transportation tasks within batteries.

A: HEVs are a type of electric vehicle that will typically combine the conventional internal combustion engine with the engine and power design of an electric vehicle. The combination of these engine types provide the power, range, and convenience of fueling with conventional means while allowing for the low emissions and simplicity of an electric vehicle. Hybrids such as this will acquire their power from fossil fuels. However, they use electric engines to provide regenerative braking in a bid to extend mileage and improve efficiency.

A: The acronym PHEV stands for plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. These vehicles use electricity just like an electric car. However, they only do so for first few miles of a drive. The vehicle will then switch to a gasoline backup engine.

The primary difference between a standard hybrid vehicle and a plug-in hybrid is the availability of simple recharge methods. These vehicles can be recharged with almost any electrical power source that includes an outlet. Dual mode hybrids such as these can greatly reduce cost per gallon of gas compared to miles traveled.

Unlike a battery electric car that merely relies on its batteries for range, a plug-in hybrid vehicle has a set of rechargeable batteries that can regenerate when plugged into an external outlet as well as an internal combustible engine that kicks in when needed. The most popular type of PHEV is the Toyota Prius that was first launched in Japan in 1997, and later in the United States. Because of its ability to reduce fuel consumption, more and more people are falling in line to get one- with almost 1 million Prius units registered by the end of 2009. PHEV has a longer driving range compared to BEVs, but it still consumes gasoline.

A: PHEVs are noted as having a larger battery capacity. They are capable of using a standard outlet to charge their batteries as well. This enables PHEVs to solely run on electricity for up to 40 miles prior to the combustion engine coming online. A conventional hybrid generally has a smaller battery that is partially charged by an internal combustion engine. This results in higher emission production than a PHEV.

A: The travel distance varies with each vehicle. A prime example is the Converted plug-in Toyota Prius. These vehicles are designed with the ability to drive solely on electricity for 10 to 40 miles. The Chevy Volt, 2010 model, was designed to have an effective electric range of 40 miles. However, once this is expended the combustion engine comes into play. This allows the vehicle to recharge the car while it is in motion.

A: The source that the electricity is derived from does not matter as long as the resulting current can be converted. This means that both solar and wind power are more than adequate for recharging a plug-in car. In point of fact, with either source as the primary means of generating electricity for vehicles, costs can be cut significantly. These types of power networks create clean and efficient electricity in a more immediate and reliable manner than a large power station.

Using alternative energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines will cost more initially, but over time the overall savings in either fuel costs or electricity usage are greatly reduced. These energy producing devices pay for themselves in short order. More to the point, this will reduce emission levels even further. Outside of the emissions created by producing the vehicle and the power generator, there will be no further emissions made.