The electric vehicles new  (EV) revolution is underway, and it’s going faster than anyone expected. Governments are enacting policies that force automakers to retool and incentivize consumers to go zero-emissions, and manufacturers are releasing vehicles of all shapes and sizes—from the tiny Hongguang Mini that starts at under $5,000 to the midsized Audi Q6 E-Tron that can travel more than 360 miles on a charge.

But EVs aren’t just great for the environment. They’re transforming the way we think about cars. Stripping away the gas engine, transmission, and 100-plus moving parts turns a car into something that looks more like a computer than my clunky old Samsung flip phone. Software runs the motors, calculates how far you can go on a charge, optimizes the brakes and much more.

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The EV era is also bringing us the wonders of self-driving technology. While still a bit of a wild west, features like Tesla’s Autopilot and GM’s Super Cruise are making roads safer and more convenient.

EVs are also popular in rural areas, where residents drive more than they do in urban areas and spend more on fuel and maintenance. As fossil-fuel supplies dwindle, EVs will help mitigate rising costs and limit environmental damage.