How do lithium-ion batteries work in electric vehicles?

Lithium-ion batteries store energy through lithium ions moving between positive cathode and negative anode electrodes through an electrolyte. During discharge (driving), ions flow from anode to cathode, releasing electrons through the external circuit to power the motor. During charging, the process reverses. EV battery packs contain thousands of cells connected in series and parallel to achieve required voltage (400-800V) and capacity (40-100+ kWh).