Have you ever wondered about the electricity that courses through your car? Do you suspect that there's a captive bolt of lightning held in a magic jar? Of course you don't. You're not a Neanderthal.

The world of electric vehicles can sometimes seem like it comes with its own vocabulary, and that's where we come in. Look out for our ABC of EVs series, to demystify the words and phrases you'll hear ...

Production cars began using alternators in the 1960s. As part of the electrical system, alternators made it possible for cars to use higher voltage, and led the way to the modern car charging system.