How Electric Vehicles (EV) Work

Electric vehicles are getting extremely popular these days. Major automakers are having big plans for electrical vehicles. 

When we look at the plans of major auto makers, it could be safely predicted that most of the vehicles on the road by 2040 will be electric vehicles (albeit hydrogen is starting to make a serious case these days so it just might end up as the most popular vehicle choice cum energy source by the time we approach 2040 who knows). 

What does EV actually mean? 

EV stands for Electric Vehicle. 

Electric Vehicles run on electricity so they don’t need Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs). This results in low emissions hence, less pollution; which is good for the environment. 

Electric cars are powered by batteries. They are not powered by traditional methods like petrol/gasoline or diesel. They operate on electric motors which are powered by batteries, large batteries. 

Let’s talk about how an Electric Vehicle (EV) Works 

Electric vehicles work on electric motors. There is a power controller attached to the electric motor of an EV. When the driver of an electric vehicle accelerates or decreases the speed of the vehicle, this information is passed on to the controller then – the controller regulates the power and passes it on to the electric motor. The electric motor is completely operated by a controller.  

The battery attached to the vehicle is rechargeable. You can recharge these batteries with the normal electricity in any household or with the charging points provided specifically for EVs.  

Electric vehicles are like automated cars. They have two different modes: forward and reverse. 

Difference between Electric Motor and Internal Combustion Engine 

The electric motor and an Internal Combustion engine are doing the same thing – creating rotatory motion that in turn rotates the wheels of a car. 

The important difference is that the energy operating them is different – one uses electric energy and the other uses thermal energy. 

If you understand this difference, it will help you understand how an electric vehicle works? 

Important Parts of an Electric Vehicle 

Electric Traction Motor 

The Electric traction motor is the part of the vehicle which uses the electricity and creates the rotatory motion used for propulsion of an Electric Vehicle. 

Some vehicles use a motor generator. The motor-generator performs both functions of driving the vehicle and generating electricity. The most commonly used electric motor is the brushless DC motor. 

Power Inverter 

The power inverter changes the electric DC (Direct Current) into AC (Alternating Current). This AC is used by the electric motor to run the vehicle.  

This also has the function of changing the AC into DC and recharging the battery. This is why the type of inverter used is of the bi-directional category. 

Traction Battery Pack 

The work of the battery pack is to store electricity in the form of direct current. When it gets a signal from the controller, it will transmit the DC electric current. 

Power Electronics Controller 

The power electronic converter is the combination of inverter and converter. This recharges the battery when there is braking of the electric vehicle. The kinetic energy is used to recharge the vehicle.  

Some of the vehicles use electric AC controllers. 

Battery 

The battery provides the necessary power to required power up the different parts of an electric vehicle.  

Charging Port 

The charging port allows the vehicle to connect to an external supply. 

DC/DC Converter 

Yes, you read it right, it’s not an AC to DC or a DC to AC converter. Unlike an inverter, it’s something different. 

This device converts the high voltage DC power into low voltage DC which runs the different accessories of the electric vehicle. Also aids in recharging the auxiliary battery. 

Charger 

The charger is the battery charging device. It uses the electricity from outside sources and transfers it to the battery. 

There are two types of electric vehicle chargers: 

On-board charger: These are inside the car and use the internal energy to charge the battery. 

Off-Board charger: These are the external chargers. 

Transmission 

Transmission parts of the electric vehicle are responsible for transforming the rotatory power from the electric motor directly to the wheels of the car. 

With this you’re probably now conversant with how an electric vehicle works. You can also check out our previous article on the Pros and Cons of Electric Vehicles. Thanks for reading. 

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