How an Electric Vehicle Operates
Introduction
With technological developments and the industrial revolution, the transport sector has seen a lot of changes. From utility cars to sports cars and now a new development, electric vehicles. You might wonder, what is an electric vehicle? Well, we got you covered. Instead of a combustion engine, an electric vehicle operates by the use of a motor. For the motor to function, electric vehicles have massive batteries that aid in the charging, or simply, an electric vehicle supply equipment. Since the late sixties, electric car manufacturers have faced a lot of setbacks, especially from big fuel companies like Exxon Mobil. Fuel companies control almost ninety percent of the US transport sector and with electric cars on the rise, they pose a threat to their investment. For instance, electric cars have been opted for in places like Missouri and Colorado as they have new mandates on zero-emissions to the environment. Unlike other cars, electric vehicles don’t possess exhaust pipes and are pollution-free. In this article, we broadly look at electric vehicles to fully understand how they operate.
First and foremost, it’s good to know the main components that make up an electric vehicle. Since electric energy is involved and there is a battery, charging is inevitable and that’s why they possess charging ports, a thermal system for cooling, and AC/DC, for conversion of high voltage from the battery traction pack; another important part of an electric vehicle. The function of this component is electric conversation hence free flow of power to the whole vehicle. You might wonder, how does charge go from the port of the vehicle? It is the power electronics controller that transfers energy from the traction battery. The charge port, like in phones, allows the traction pack to receive power. The transmission, another important part of the electric vehicle, converts and transfers mechanical energy to the electric traction that makes the vehicle accelerate.
The manufacture of electric cars happens in different phases. Each part from the skeleton to the smallest component is assembled differently. The body is handcrafted and includes six workstations to be exact. After handcrafting, it passes through 8 other workstations for general assembly. They are then taken to quality control where a team of experts deal with the vehicle’s interior and full function.
How Far Can Electric Vehicle Drive?
An electric vehicle can cover up to 200 miles when in full charge. The distance covered by an electric vehicle is also determined by the type of battery installed, the vehicles weight and prevailing natural conditions like the weather. The distance you want to cover and the actual range matters, since in some places you might not get a charging station and you might be stuck on the road if your battery runs low.
Types of Electric Car Batteries.
The main types of batteries used for electric cars today include: Lithium-ion, mostly used by Tesla and Jaguar, Nickel-metal hybrid used by hybrids like Toyota and Nissan and lead-acid batteries.
Lithium-ion Battery
This battery is common since it’s always seen in smartphones and other electric accessories. The reason why big companies like Tesla use Lithium-ion batteries is because they have a high power retention capacity when compared to other types of batteries. Most parts of Lithium-ion Batteries are also recycled, reducing pollution.
Nickel-Metal Batteries
Mostly used in Toyota and Nissan, nickel-metal batteries are especially liked by hybrid companies. Unlike Lithium-ion batteries, nickel hybrid batteries depend on fuel to recharge, making them more distinct from the likes of Tesla that don’t even have fuel lines. The reason why most hybrid vehicles go for these batteries is because, due to their long life cycles, they can convert high electric energy even when subjected to extreme temperatures.
Lead batteries
These, unlike Lithium and Nickel, use catalysts to aid the bigger battery work. Since they use acid, they are mostly not trusted to work in electric vehicles as they have a tendency of breaking down when subjected to high temperatures.
How long does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?
The range is 8-12 hours for an electric car with a bigger battery. If your battery is massive then the size lowers the charging point. But in case your battery is small you’ll be back on the road in about half an hour. Best advice, just like a phone, leave the vehicle on charge mode when you are not hitting the road in case you need to use it tomorrow to keep the battery from being flat when you cover fewer ranges.
Different Types of Electric Vehicles
Tesla
Tesla is very famous since its owned by the richest man on the planet, Elon Musk. Many people have opted to go for the Tesla because the price of gasoline always fluctuates. With a Tesla, gasoline budget is cut out.
Pros
· Tesla has many supercharger stations.
· Saves on gasoline.
· It has excellent safety measures and self-drive technology.
Cons
· Price tag is quite high.
· Require a long time to repair when they break down.
· Expensive to repair.
Nissan Leaf
When it comes to Hybrid, get a Nissan Leaf.
Pros
· Bigger carrying capacity.
· Easily chargeable.
· The interior is spacious.
· Comes with a Nissan app.
Cons
· The back seats are not versatile like other brands.
· Relatively expensive.
Jaguar I-Pace
The Jaguar, like Tesla, is a good option to go for when you need an electric car.
Pros
· Easy to charge.
· Covers wide ranges.
· The interior is very sleek and comfortable.
· It has a large trunk space.
Cons
· Competition from Tesla and Audi.
· Has fewer charging stations in the United States.
Charging Ports
When it comes to charging ports, we have the most common used ports; the Tesla port, CHAdeMO, CCS (J1772 Connector) and the SAEJ3068. You can see different ways in which electric vehicles are charged through these ports,.
Tesla port
The Tesla charging ports are also common to Tesla users. These superchargers charge your Tesla in about 20 minutes for distances raging to 200 miles, with a charging rate of up to 250 Kw.
CHAdeMO
This is the most commonly used in the States. The best above the rest. With a special connector, it gives your car a DC of about 63 Kw-500 Volts. It’s also safe and efficient to use and many like it because of its fast speed.
J1772 Connector
The Combined Charging System is loved by many electric vehicles owners since it has the capacity to charge irrespective of the levels1 and 2 and DC, and uses the same port.
J3068
Mostly found in industries and commercial enterprises, the J3068 has a good AC charging capacity that gives electric energy to your car with its three-phased power system. It operates well under the normal 480/227 and 208/120V capacities mostly used in America under power ranges of 6-130 kW.
When it comes to charger ports, the Best provider is the Guangzhou Electway Technology company that has been dedicatedly putting their effort to make sure you get the best when it comes to EV appliances for over a decade. Also if you happen to have a charging port at home, it’s good to mount your charger near your parking lot for easy charging. Make sure your home charging port has a capacity of up to 7Kw.
Apps That Can Aid You Find Charging Ports
1. Plugshare
Plugshare is one of the biggest apps one can use when it comes to electric vehicles. Available for both Android and iOS, you can access a charging port in any part of the country. Many drivers use it since it convenient and offers a map to locate any charging station.
2. Charging Hub
This app will also connect you to over 80,000 other users. It has a chatting platform so it is easier to connect with other users. No charges are accrued when it comes to ChargeHub.
3. Chargeway
The best feature about the charge way app is that it helps you know where different types of charging ports are located. With no charges you can access it whether you are an android or IOS user.
Other apps you can access include; Charge Map, Greenlots and EVgo.
Conclusion
Electric cars have proven to be the vehicles of the future since they come with lots of advantages. With them around, pollution problems and wars related to oil prices seen in different parts of the world and the stock market will reduce drastically. Hence, for a better world, it’s good to champion for the greater good that electric cars will bring in the coming days.
