What is electric drive?

In an electric drive vehicle, the torque is supplied to the wheels by an electric motor that is powered either solely by a battery, or an internal combustion engine using hydrogen, gasoline or diesel, or, by a fuel cell.

Types of Electric Drive:

Battery
Uses batteries to power an electric motor which propels the vehicle.  In "extended range" electric vehicles, batteries are charged from the grid and by a small gas engine that powers a generator which powers the batteries (the engine doesn't propel the vehicle, it recharges the batteries.)

Plug-in hybrid 
Uses electricity and gas to move vehicle's wheels. Some, or all, of that electricity comes from the grid -- from "plugging in."

Hybrid
Uses both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine to propel the vehicle.

Fuel Cell
Combines hydrogen fuel and oxygen to produce electricity used the power an electric motor that moves the vehicle.

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BENEFITS OF ELECTRIC DRIVE
America wants efficient, effective transportation that doesn’t cost the earth or compromise our national security. Cleaner vehicle technologies help everyone breathe easier, cut down greenhouse gas emissions and reduce our dependence on foreign oil. Electric drive is a compelling solution to these national concerns.

OBSTACLES TO ELECTRIC DRIVE
Changing the fleet to electric drive won't happen overnight. It will require substantial investments in technology, manufacturing, modernizing infrastructure and market development. This is why we need to get on the right road, right away.