The Battery Pack Powers the Motor: Almost always the RC controller uses 4 or more "AA" or "AAA" or 9 volt alkaline or rechargeable batteries. By contrast, the RC vehicle itself often uses a rechargeable battery pack to power the motor.
The receiver and speed controller plug into the battery pack. Some electric RC vehicles include a charger for recharging the battery pack between uses.
Increasingly, lithium polymer or LiPo battery packs are being used in radio controlled vehicles. They generally charge faster and store more energy than a comparable Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) battery pack. However, LiPo batteries do require special handling. Misuse -- including improper charging, handling, and storage -- can cause LiPo batteries to burn or explode.