Electric Vehicles

More than 4,000 electric vehicles (EVs) are traveling U.S. roads and
highways. Although some EVs are found nationwide, California has
the greatest concentration of the alternative fuel vehicles. EVs do
not produce tailpipe emissions, but generators producing the electricity used to
charge EV batteries do emit pollutants.
Electricity for EVs is produced by power
plants, which send it to substations
through transmission lines and then to
homes and businesses through distribution
systems. An EV’s electric motor converts
electricity—usually from a battery
pack—into mechanical power that runs
the vehicle. After a certain vehicle driving
range, however, EV batteries must be
recharged.