Book excerpt: Everything you always wanted to know about the technology of EVs in one volume: motors, batteries, controllers, heating, air conditioning, 12 volt systems, plus some topics that aren't discussed widely even in specialised books; such as the management of long strings of individual cells. For the faint-hearted there are also refreshingly simple explanations of the electro-magnetic and mechanical principles needed to understand how motors and batteries work. One chapter is devoted to alternative technologies such as compressed air drive, hybrids and flywheel energy storage. A final chapter makes the economic and social case for EVs and gleefully demolishes a number of myths about the problems of electric drive. The book is profusely illustrated with over 200 photos, line drawings and other illustrations