This article reviews the status of electric vehicles/hybrid electric vehicles (EV/HEVs) worldwide and their state of the art, with emphasis on the engineering philosophy and key technologies. The importance of the integration of technologies of automobile, electric motor drive, electronics, energy storage and controls, and the importance of the integration of society strength from government, industry, research institutions, electric power utilities, and transportation authorities are addressed. The challenged of EV commercialization is discussed. EV is a multidisciplinary subject involving broad and complex aspects. However, it has core technologies; chassis and body technology, propulsion technology, and energy source technology. The electric propulsion system is the heart of the EV. It consists of motor drive, transmission and controller, plus the integration with engine power train in the case of the HEV.