What is an electric car and how does it work? Types, charging and range
An electric car is a car whose wheels are turned by an electric motor powered by a battery; it has no fuel tank, engine oil or exhaust. It is charged from a socket or a charging station. The WLTP range of electric cars sold in Türkiye is between 300 and 800 km; in January–October 2026, about 20 of every 100 new cars sold were electric.
By: Şarj Rehberim · Updated: · 5 min read
Short answer
An electric car (a fully electric car, abbreviated BEV) is a vehicle that uses only electrical energy to move. It stores the energy in a battery and turns the wheels with one or more electric motors. It has no petrol engine, fuel tank or exhaust.
Its battery is charged from a household socket, a wall-mounted charger or public charging stations. When braking and going downhill, the motor works like a generator and recovers part of the energy back into the battery.
How does an electric car work?
The direct current (DC) in the battery is converted by the power electronics (the inverter) into the alternating current (AC) the motor uses; the more you press the accelerator, the more power the inverter sends to the motor. Because an electric motor delivers its full torque from the very first moment, the car pulls away quietly and quickly, and there is no need to change gear.
According to the US Department of Energy, electric cars transfer more than 77% of the energy they take from the grid to the wheels, whereas petrol cars can transfer only 12–30% of the energy in the fuel to the wheels. That is why electric cars use less energy per 100 km.
- Battery: mostly lithium-ion (NMC or LFP chemistry), 40–120 kWh in cars. It is the most expensive part of the car.
- Electric motor: single-motor cars are front- or rear-wheel drive; dual-motor cars are four-wheel drive.
- Inverter and single-speed reduction gear: there is no gearbox, clutch or gear shifting.
- On-board charger (OBC): during AC charging it converts grid current into the DC the battery uses; in most cars it is 7–11 kW.
- Battery management system (BMS) and thermal management: balances the cells and heats and cools the battery. A heat pump heats the cabin with less energy in winter.
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): US Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov): electric vehicle technology
Types of electric vehicle
In everyday language, "electric car" usually means a fully electric car. The ÖTV (special consumption tax) rates starting from 25% and the 25% MTV (motor vehicle tax) rule also apply only to fully electric cars; hybrids and plug-in hybrids are taxed like petrol cars.
| Type | Charging from a socket | Electric-only range | Petrol engine |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fully electric (BEV) | Yes (AC and DC) | 300–800 km (WLTP) | No |
| Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | Yes (mostly AC only) | Usually 50–100 km | Yes |
| Hybrid (HEV) | No | A few km | Yes |
| Mild hybrid (MHEV) | No | None; it only assists the petrol engine | Yes |
| Fuel cell (FCEV) | No; refuelled with hydrogen | Depends on the hydrogen tank | No |
How is an electric car charged?
There are two ways. With AC charging (at home, at work or at an AC station), the electricity passes through the car's own charging unit; power is usually 7–22 kW, and filling a 60 kWh battery from 20% to 80% takes about 3.5 hours at 11 kW. With DC fast charging, the station supplies direct current straight to the battery; at stations of 100 kW and above, the same fill takes 20–40 minutes in most cars.
In Türkiye and Europe, the Type 2 socket is the standard for AC charging and CCS2 for DC charging. Charging from a normal socket at home is possible but slow (2–3 kW); for regular use, installing a wall-mounted charger is recommended.
How far does an electric car go?
The official WLTP range of electric cars sold in Türkiye varies between about 300 and 820 km depending on the version. In real-world use, expect about 80% of WLTP in mixed driving and 60–65% on the motorway in winter: a car with 500 km WLTP goes about 400 km in daily use and about 310 km on the motorway in winter.
Electric cars in Türkiye
| Indicator | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Electric car sales, January–October 2026 | 135,142 (19.5% of the market) | ODMD |
| Electric share in October 2026 | 22.1% | ODMD |
| Electric cars on the road (August 2026) | 472,157 | TÜİK (Turkish Statistical Institute) |
| Public charging sockets (September 2026) | 48,971 (21,307 of them DC) | EPDK (Energy Market Regulatory Authority) |
Sources (as of 3 November 2026): ODMD (Automotive Distributors' and Mobility Association) press release, 3 November 2026
Pros and cons of an electric car
- Pro: the energy cost per 100 km is clearly lower than with petrol, especially when charging at home on the night tariff; maintenance is cheaper because there are no oil, filter or spark plug changes.
- Pro: in Türkiye, ÖTV is 25% on electric cars of up to 160 kW with a pre-tax price of up to 1,650,000 TL; MTV is a quarter of that of a comparable petrol car.
- Con: on long trips, a 20–40 minute charging stop is needed every 300–500 km; range shortens in winter.
- Con: for those who cannot charge at home or at work, public fast charging is expensive; the cost advantage shrinks.
Frequently asked questions
- What is an electric car?
- It is a car whose wheels are turned by an electric motor powered by a battery, with no petrol engine or fuel tank. It is charged from a socket or a charging station.
- How does an electric car work?
- The energy in the battery is converted to alternating current in the inverter and fed to the electric motor; the motor turns the wheels. When braking, the motor works like a generator and recovers part of the energy back into the battery.
- Is a hybrid car an electric car?
- No. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid cars also have a petrol engine; a fully electric car has only an electric motor. For tax purposes too, only fully electric cars benefit from reduced ÖTV and MTV.
- How many hours does it take to charge an electric car?
- It depends on battery size and charging power. Filling a 60 kWh battery from 20% to 80% takes about 3.5 hours with 11 kW AC, and 20–40 minutes in most cars at a DC station of 100 kW and above.