The Institute for Automotive Market Research initiated the expansion of the dictionary meaning of the word "electric car"

The term “electric car” is increasingly used in the media or in conversations among motorists. However, according to the official interpretation, this word means an electric self-propelled cart used to transport goods over short distances in ports, industrial enterprises, railway stations, etc. In fact, it is associated with electric cars — such as Tesla, Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen ID.4 or similar. That is, passenger cars with a fully electric drive, powered by a battery located on board the vehicle itself.

In general, the use of the term “electric car” corresponds to international practice: in many languages there are similar words (electrocar, elektroauto, electrocarro), which mean exactly an electric vehicle. In addition, “electric car” organically fits into the paradigm already familiar to the Ukrainian language — “sports car”, “supercar”, “hypercar”. The logic of word formation suggests that such an expansion is quite natural.

To bring language practice into line with the norm, the Institute for Car Market Research turned to the Institute of the Ukrainian Language with a proposal to record the double meaning of the word in dictionaries:

— electric cart¹ — an industrial or cargo trolley with an electric drive;

— electric car² — a passenger car with an electric power plant (synonym: electric vehicle).

This proposal was transferred to the Department of Lexicology, Lexicography, and Structural-Mathematical Linguistics, where the compilation of an explanatory dictionary of the active type is currently underway. In simpler words, there is a possibility that the updated meaning of the term "electric car" will first appear in electronic publications, and later in printed ones.

We are convinced that this will help avoid confusion and consolidate in dictionaries what has already become part of active linguistic practice. And, perhaps, in the near future, the use of the word "electric car" in relation to a passenger electric vehicle will cease to be considered a mistake.