An Electric Vehicle (EV) is a motor vehicle primarily powered by electricity, encompassing diverse modes like cars, trains, and even aircraft. Early EVs emerged in the late 19th century, with pioneers such as Hungarian priest Ányos Jedlik (1827) and Scottish inventor Robert Anderson (1832-1839) creating early models, initially favored for their quietness and ease of operation over gasoline cars. However, limited battery technology caused "range anxiety," hindering mass adoption for private use and allowing internal combustion engines to dominate for over a century.
Despite this, electric propulsion remained crucial for mass transit, powering electric trains and trams, and found specialist roles such as the iconic British milk floats, making the UK the largest user of electric road vehicles for much of the 20th century. A significant resurgence began in the late 2000s with plug-in hybrids, and by the 2010s, battery electric cars became practical consumer options due to major advancements in batteries, motors, and power electronics. Today, driven by government incentives and a global effort to reduce carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, EVs are rapidly transforming the transportation landscape.