Technological development and perspectives of the electric propulsion.

This article describes the evaluation of electrical vehicles carried out by the European research programme Action COST 302, and then presents current research into the energy supply and propulsion systems of such vehicles. The objective of action cost 302 was to evaluate the environmental and economic impact of electric vehicles in order to provide a cost benefit analysis of this type of transport. The fuel conservation, environmental benefits, operational adequacy, manufacturing costs and technical advantages or otherwise of such vehicles are reviewed.