Ep37. How are electric car engines different from petrol car engines?

Little Ears Big Ideas · Sep 17, 2026 · 10m

In this episode, Lily and Max look under the bonnet to discover how electric cars are different from petrol cars. They explore how petrol engines use tiny controlled bursts, why diesel engines don’t need spark plugs, and how electric motors use batteries and magnetic forces to turn the wheels. They also uncover how hybrid cars combine fuel and electricity, how regenerative braking puts energy back into a battery, and the advantages and disadvantages of each type of car.