How electric vehicles actually work

A battery electric vehicle (BEV) stores energy in a large battery pack. An inverter converts the battery's direct current (DC) into the alternating current (AC) most traction motors use, and controls how much power reaches the wheels.

Most EVs use a single-speed reduction gear rather than a multi-speed gearbox, because an electric motor produces strong torque from a standstill and works efficiently across a wide rev range. That's why EVs feel so responsive when you pull away.

When you lift off the accelerator or brake gently, the motor can run as a generator, slowing the car and sending some energy back to the battery. Many EVs let you adjust how strong this is, and some offer 'one-pedal' driving where lifting off brings the car close to, or fully to, a stop.

The conventional friction brakes are still there for harder stops and emergencies. Because regen does much of the everyday slowing, brake pads often last longer than on a comparable petrol car, though brakes still need regular inspection.

The terms get used loosely, so it's worth being precise:

• BEV (battery electric): runs only on electricity from a plug-in battery. No petrol engine.
• PHEV (plug-in hybrid): a smaller plug-in battery for electric driving, plus a petrol engine for longer trips.
• HEV (hybrid): a small battery charged by the engine and regenerative braking. You don't plug it in.
• FCEV (hydrogen fuel cell): generates electricity on board from hydrogen. Very few are on Australian roads.

The battery can only store DC. When you plug into an AC charger (a home wallbox or a public AC post), the car's onboard charger converts AC to DC, and its rating sets the maximum AC charging speed. Many cars accept around 7 to 11 kW on AC.

A DC fast charger does that conversion inside the charging station and feeds the battery directly, which is why it's much quicker. The car's battery management system decides how much power it will accept at any moment.

Because an electric motor produces little waste heat, warming the cabin uses battery energy. Many newer EVs use a heat pump, which is typically more efficient than simple resistive heating, especially in mild-to-cool weather.

The battery also has its own thermal management, usually liquid cooling and heating, to keep it in a comfortable temperature range. On models that support it, preconditioning the battery on the way to a fast charger can improve charging speed.

Many EVs can receive software updates over the air, which may refine efficiency, charging behaviour, driver-assistance features or the infotainment system. What gets updated, and how often, varies a lot by brand.

Some features are tied to a manufacturer app or a subscription. If that matters to you, check what's included and for how long before you buy.