Publisher Summary Electric vehicles have received new attention recently because the California Air Resources Board (CARB) developed a plan that would require 10% of all vehicles sold in California by the year 2003 to be zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) and other states are considering similar mandates. The only type of vehicle currently available that can meet the ZEV regulation is an electric vehicle (EV) powered by a bank of batteries. These batteries are limited, at present, to lead-acid or nickel-metal hydride batteries. The basic EV consists of a bank of batteries that supply power, via a controller, to an electric motor that drives the wheels. This chapter discusses the case of the EV to highlight some of the difficulties that are faced in introducing sustainable technologies. The clearest view of the status of the EV and its technological trajectory arises when a combined software-hardware view is adopted. In the case of the EV, repeated comparison with the ICE has certainly slowed the pace of technology development. Hybrids are always ready to go because the gas engine assists with the recharging duties. This is called a parallel drive system since the wheels can be powered by both the electric motor and the IC engine when both are needed.