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It’s no secret that emissions produced by cars can cause serious harm to the environment, prompting car manufacturers to seek more sustainable solutions. Now many automakers are developing more eco-friendly vehicles, the most prominent of which are electric cars. But what is an electric car?
These vehicles have electric motors rather than combustion engines. As a result, they are quieter and produce zero tailpipe emissions. This article will explore everything you need to know about EVs so that you can reap these and many other benefits as soon as possible.
An EV (electric vehicle) is an automatic vehicle powered by an electric motor. An electric vehicle, unlike cars with traditional fuel engines, lacks an internal combustion engine. Electric vehicle batteries power the vehicle’s motors and wheels, converting electrical energy into forward motion.
EVs are rapidly increasing in popularity due to their eco-friendly and competitive financial advantages. Because they have fewer working parts, maintenance costs can be significantly lower than conventional cars.
Motors run on electricity while engines run on combustion, even though people often interchangeably use those terms.
Key Components
An electric vehicle comprises various key parts, which include:
- All-electric auxiliary battery: The auxiliary electric battery supplies power to the vehicle’s accessories.
- Charge port: Your vehicle’s charge port acts as an efficient link between your car and a charging station, allowing you to recharge conveniently.
- DC/DC converter: The device takes high-voltage electricity and transforms it into low-voltage power for accessories.
- Electric traction motor: This unit drives the vehicle’s wheels.
- Onboard charger: It converts AC power from the external power source into direct current to charge the battery.
- Traction battery: The lithium-ion batteries store electricity to power the electric motor.
The higher the EV battery kWh (kilowatt-hour) – the longer the driving range of an EV.
Types Of An Electric Car
People mean all-electric cars (without an ICE) when talking about electric cars, but we count all car types with motors in this category in broader terms. Here are 4 such types based on how they generate power.
- Battery-electric vehicle (BEV): Also known as a ‘pure’ electric vehicle, is an all-electric car. This vehicle gets all its power from an external power source such as an EV charging point. All-electric vehicles do not produce any emissions since they do not have ICEs. Examples include Tesla Model S, Tesla Model Y and Nissan Leaf.
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV): Plug-in hybrids have batteries, electric drive motors and internal combustion engines (ICEs). As a result, you can drive them on electric power or as petrol or diesel cars. Most plug-in hybrids can run on electric power for up to 50 miles (80 kilometres) before switching to hybrid mode. Some would say that plug-ins are better than other EV hybrids because of this.
- Extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV): Extended-range electric cars function similarly to plug-in electric cars. It combines a battery, an electric drive motor and a small petrol or diesel generator. The electric motor of this vehicle drives the wheels while the ICE acts as a generator when the EV batteries are low.
- Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV): An HEV uses both an internal combustion and an electric motor to drive the car. It functions similarly to a petrol vehicle but partially relies on electric power in the battery that the vehicle generates through regenerative braking. In the general sense, both PHEVs and E-REVs are called hybrid electric vehicles. Go here to learn everything about hybrid cars.
Visit our blog for more electric car facts.
The Advantages Of An EV
There are several things you stand to benefit from using an EV, such as:
- Cost savings: EVs are cheaper to operate and maintain than petrol-powered cars. They cost less to charge than to fill up with fossil fuels, and they require less maintenance, such as oil changes and transmission repairs. Also, many governments offer people incentives for using green cars, such as exempting them from Vehicle Excise Duty (road tax).
- No emissions: Unlike a petrol or diesel car, an electric vehicle doesn’t emit gases that contribute to air pollution or global warming.
Although electric cars do not generate emissions directly from tailpipes, emissions may be generated during the production of the electricity that powers the vehicle and are undoubtedly generated in the EV-making process.
- Better performance: Many electric cars accelerate faster than petrol or diesel vehicles, providing a more responsive driving experience.
- Noise pollution reduction: EVs are much quieter than conventional vehicles, which reduces noise pollution in urban areas and improves the overall driving experience.
Tip: Most EVs allow you to charge while driving using regenerative braking, an energy recovery mechanism that transfers kinetic energy to electricity by braking.
The Disadvantages Of An EV
Even though using an EV has numerous benefits, there are also several drawbacks.
- Charging time: It takes longer for you to charge an electric car than to fill up your petrol or diesel vehicle. Although companies are improving their fast charging technology for electric cars, you still need at least 30 minutes to charge an EV.
- Upfront cost: EVs are generally more expensive to purchase than petrol-powered cars.
- Limited charging infrastructure: While the number of charging stations is increasing, the charging infrastructure for EVs is not widespread like petrol stations.
- Limited range: Battery electric vehicles and other EVs have limited range when compared to petrol or diesel vehicles, which makes them unsuitable for long journeys. Since EV charging stations are not as widely available as petrol stations, you can get stuck on the road if you run out of electric power in the battery.
The Popularity Of Electric Vehicles & The Spread Of Charging Points
Electric vehicles have become more popular in recent years due to better awareness of their benefits and improvements in battery technology. In 2022, there was a 55% increase in the sales of EVs globally.
To support this trend, there has been a significant investment in charging infrastructure, with governments, businesses and other organisations installing charging points in public places, workplaces and homes. Many countries have charging stations in urban areas and along major highways.
Tip: EV owners can check online maps to find a charging point close by.
Things To Consider Before Choosing An Electric Car
You should consider the following details when choosing an electric vehicle:
- Consider whether you have access to charging stations to power the vehicle.
- EV rechargeable batteries are very expensive, so think about the cost of maintaining them.
- Think about how far you need to travel on a regular basis and if the electric vehicle can cover that distance before recharge.
Choosing an electric vehicle is just one of the ways how drivers can help the environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is An Electric Car Battery Made Of?
Electric car batteries are made of several components, including electrodes, electrolytes and separators. The electrode comprises materials like lithium-ion, which can store and release electrical energy efficiently. The electrolyte is a liquid or gel substance that allows the flow of ions, and the separators keep the electrodes from coming into direct contact.
What Is The Cost Of Charging An Electric Car?
The cost of charging an electric car can vary depending on several factors. Some of the things that determine how much you’ll spend recharging your EV include the cost of electricity in your area, the battery capacity and the charging method you use. In the United Kingdom, the average cost of electricity is around 117 pence per kilowatt-hour (kWh). Therefore, to fully charge a 60 kWh battery in the UK, you would spend around £6.6.
What Is An Electric Hybrid Car?
An electric hybrid car is a mix between a full EV and a gasoline or diesel car. A hybrid vehicle has both an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. The two power sources work together to propel the car when driving. In most cases, the electric motor provides power at low speeds, and the ICE takes over at higher speeds or when you want the car to go faster.
What Are The 4 Types Of Electric Vehicles?
The 4 types of electric vehicles are battery-electric vehicles (BEVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) and extended-range electric vehicles (E-REV). Among the options, only BEVs function as pure electric vehicles. Others rely on conventional petrol or diesel to some extent. Consider your budget and preferences when selecting any of these electric vehicles.
What Are The Advantages Of Electric Vehicles?
The advantages of electric vehicles are reduced emissions and lower operating costs. Electric vehicles are the clear choice if you’re looking to save money on maintenance due to the presence of fewer running parts, and there are no fossil fuel costs as in a conventional car. Also, since they produce no tailpipe emissions, they represent a shift towards better air quality in the environment.
Conclusion
All the details in this article should have answered your question, ‘What is an electric car?’ Electric cars are the newest craze in transportation, providing an environmentally-friendly alternative to petrol vehicles. Powered by rechargeable batteries instead of fuel tanks, electric cars produce zero emissions and significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Although there are some obstacles to overcome when using EVs, these cars have many positives that you can’t ignore.
