Electric vehicle

The decarbonisation of the economy and the establishment of a sustainable and clean energy model are unimaginable without significant changes to the way we travel. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) the transport sector accounts for more than a third of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Meanwhile, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly evident and the electric vehicle market is growing rapidly. Global sales of electric cars exceeded 17 million in 2024 and accounted for more than 20% of new car sales worldwide, according to figures from the IEA's Global EV Outlook 2025. That is why governments, businesses and individuals alike are joining forces to embrace sustainable mobility that does not compromise air quality or deplete natural resources. The electrification of transport represents a revolutionary change and is redefining our relationship with vehicles.

What is an electric vehicle?

Currently, these types of vehicles offer solutions for a wide variety of journeys: from short-distance trips carrying light loads (such as electric bicycles and motorbikes) to long journeys carrying heavy loads (such as electric public transport vehicles and lorries). All in all, electric mobility has become the promise of the future of transport.

How does an electric vehicle (EV) work?

An electric vehicle operates differently from an internal combustion vehicle in that it uses electricity instead of fossil fuels to generate motion. At its heart is a rechargeable battery that stores energy in chemical form. When the vehicle is connected to a source or charging point, the battery stores that energy. 

An inverter then converts the direct current (DC) from the battery into alternating current (AC) and sends it to an electric motor. This critical part of the vehicle generates motion by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy, driving the wheels of the car. 

Thus, when the driver presses the accelerator pedal, a quantity of electrical energy reaches the motor; while, when the user lifts his or her foot off the accelerator or steps on the brake, the electric motor can act as a generator and convert some of the vehicle's kinetic energy into electricity, a regenerated energy that is sent back to the battery to increase the vehicle's efficiency and range.

This electrification of mobility, which allows independence from polluting fuels, offers several advantages compared to conventional vehicles.

Types of electric vehicles

There are two main types of electric vehicles: fully electric cars, which run solely on battery power, and hybrid cars, which run on a combination of electricity and fuel. Within this classification there are different types of cars:

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV)

These models are entirely powered by electricity. In order to charge the car's battery, as with any electric device, it needs to be connected to a charging point. They have large-capacity batteries that store electrical energy and power electric motors to generate motion. 

Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV)

These vehicles are powered by renewable energy sources, but do not run on batteries, but on hydrogen fuel cells. Unlike conventional electric cars, which have a battery that stores energy, FCEVs have a fuel cell that produces energy when needed. This unit, which is usually a hydrogen fuel cell, generates the electricity that drives the vehicle through electrolysis, a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen. 

Extended-range electric vehicle (EVER)

This type of car combines elements of the electric vehicle (EV) and the plug-in hybrid vehicle. Although propulsion power is provided almost entirely by an electric drive unit, they are equipped with a small internal combustion engine to generate additional power if needed. EVERs provide the efficiency and reduced emissions of an electric vehicle while overcoming the range limitations of using a combustion engine as a backup.

Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV)

Plug-in hybrid vehicles combine an internal combustion engine with an electric motor and a battery, which can be recharged from an external power source or charging point. The main characteristic of these models is that they can operate both in electric mode, using only the energy stored in the battery, and in hybrid format, combining the power of the internal combustion engine with electric power.

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)

This type of vehicle combines at least two energy sources for propulsion. In general, they have a conventional internal combustion engine (usually petrol or diesel) with an electric motor. Non-plug-in hybrid vehicles cannot obtain energy from a charging point, but produce it by their own means when braking. The electric motor assists the internal combustion engine at times of high demand. They are perhaps the most widespread today as their mechanical schemes are more or less simple and allow a more or less contained price.

Micro-hybrid cars (MHEV)

Micro-hybrids are thermal vehicles to which a small electric assistance system is added to recover energy, but which is made up of a small 48V battery. This energy is used either to back up the internal combustion engine during acceleration or to supply the electrical consumption of certain systems in order to reduce the acceleration of the internal combustion engine.  

Advantages of electric vehicles

There are an increasing number of electric car models, more manufacturers and more affordable models. Furthermore, improvements to the charging infrastructure and technological advances are making it easier for more people and businesses to adopt them. This boom is due to the wide-ranging advantages offered by this type of vehicle:

How do you charge an electric vehicle?

The way you charge an electric vehicle depends on the type of charging point and the power the vehicle can handle. This power, measured in kilowatts, determines the charging speed whilst the time required also depends on the battery capacity and the amount of energy you wish to recharge. Therefore, higher power allows you to recharge the battery in less time.

• Home charging: this is one of the options for charging your vehicle on a day-to-day basis. In a home, an alternating current (AC) charging point can reach 7.4 kilowatts in a single-phase installation and 22 kilowatts in a three-phase installation. It is advisable to use a charging mode specifically designed for electric vehicles rather than a standard mains socket.
• Public charging: public charging points allow you to charge your vehicle at locations such as petrol stations, car parks, workplaces or public spaces. Depending on the type of installation, they can offer different power levels and, consequently, different charging times.
• Fast charging: fast charging uses direct current and allows for higher power outputs than conventional charging. Charging points ranging from 50 kilowatts to 150 kilowatts are classified as fast charging, a method that significantly reduces the time needed to charge the vehicle.
• Ultra-fast charging: this is the highest-power option among the charging options for electric vehicles. At Iberdrola, we have ultra-fast charging points of up to 350 kilowatts as well as infrastructure capable of delivering even higher power outputs. This technology enables a significant portion of the battery's capacity to be restored in just a few minutes.

Smart charging: tailoring charging to individual needs

Smart charging enables the power and energy flow during charging to be automated and regulated in real time, taking into account factors such as grid availability and costs. At Iberdrola, we are developing smart charging solutions and are working on technologies that optimise the management of energy associated with electric vehicles.

In Spain, we are also developing these technologies at the Smart Mobility Lab, our laboratory dedicated to the electric car charging points of the future.

History of the electric car

People regard the electric vehicle as the car of the future due to its technology, environmental friendliness and economic and technical advantages. However, its emergence is by no means a recent development. The history of the electric car dates back almost two centuries, predating petrol cars.

The first electric car

The creation of the electric vehicle was the result of a series of innovative advances and technical improvements. In 1828 the Hungarian inventor and engineer Ányos Jedlik created the key component of all electric machines: the world's first electric motor, which he later fitted to a small model car. Meanwhile, the American blacksmith Thomas Davenport built a similar contraption that ran on an electrified circular track. The pivotal moment came between 1832 and 1839, when the Scottish entrepreneur and chemist Robert Anderson developed and presented a prototype that represented an evolution of the traditional carriage, as it was powered by energy supplied by electric cells. This is considered to be the first electric car.

With the development of new models in subsequent years and the advent of the rechargeable battery, the electric car became a huge success in cities in the early 20th century, particularly amongst the upper classes. Although petrol cars began to gain ground after the First World War, electric vehicles have made a comeback in recent years in response to climate change and due to the many benefits offered by sustainable mobility.

Discover how electric mobility helps to establish a sustainable energy model

The fight against climate change is one of the most significant challenges facing humanity in the 21st century and the decarbonisation of the economy is a task in which we must all be involved. To accelerate the shift towards a resilient and environmentally friendly model we must undertake three main courses of action:

Electric mobility thus becomes an essential component in transforming the model. It is a clean technology that helps reduce emissions of polluting gases and improves air quality in cities, as electric vehicles do not emit carbon dioxide or other pollutants. This effect is even more positive if electric vehicles are powered by renewable energy sources, which is the most climate-friendly option.

Iberdrola and electric mobility

At Iberdrola, we are committed to the electrification of the economy and see electric mobility as a key element in moving towards a zero-emissions energy model. To this end we are working in various areas:

Charging infrastructure

We are driving forward a public charging network and developing solutions for home and business charging, facilitating access to electric mobility across different settings and for a range of needs. In Spain, one of our key markets, Iberdrola now has over 11,000 operational charging points and accounts for 22% of the available public infrastructure.

Innovation

Through the Smart Mobility Lab, we are developing solutions to improve the user experience and advance technologies such as smart charging and interoperability – key elements in making charging simpler, more efficient and more accessible.

Partnerships

We are collaborating with companies to accelerate the electrification of transport and bring electric vehicles into everyday and business use. Agreements with companies such as Santander, the Renault Group and Mercadona enable us to develop solutions ranging from leasing – including the vehicle, charging point, installation and energy – to the roll-out of infrastructure in retail outlets. In the case of Mercadona, Iberdrola is responsible for the supply, commissioning and operation of up to 3,500 charging points across 800 supermarkets in Spain and Portugal.

Renewable energy

Charging is linked to the supply of electricity from renewable sources with a guarantee of origin (GdOS). In Spain, Iberdrola has already supplied enough energy to drive round the Earth more than 200 times by car, all of it from renewable sources with a guarantee of origin.