Basically, electric vehicles use an electric battery pack powered by a charging station. The battery then sends power to the motor to power the car and move the wheels. A lot of other components work in the background to make this happen.
If you really want to know: how do electric cars work? Then you're in the right place. Keep reading to learn more.
Key Components of an Electric Car
To understand how an electric vehicle works, you need to know the key components that make up the car and its power electronics.
Battery Packs
Unlike traditional cars with an internal combustion engine (ICE), electric cars have a battery. Almost all modern EVs have lithium-ion batteries contained within a traction battery pack. These batteries have a very high energy density to power a car engine, and they also require little maintenance compared to other battery types. The rechargeable battery pack is what makes an EV an EV.
Meanwhile, the auxiliary battery provides the necessary electricity to power all vehicle accessories.
Electric Motor
The EV's electric motor provides the power that moves the vehicle. Electric cars work with an alternating current (AC), so when the AC electrons reach the motor, they create a rotating magnetic field that turns the motor.
An electric traction motor is highly efficient because, unlike an internal combustion engine, it does not need to shift between multiple gears. This is what makes electric cars so fast to start up once you press the button.
Inverter
An inverter is another essential component used to power the electric motor. It transforms the direct current (DC) into the alternating current. This is necessary because a lithium-ion battery can only accept DC electricity, whereas electric traction motors need AC to function.
An inverter also controls the speed of an electric car by changing the frequency of AC power sent to the motor.
Electric Powertrain
The power train in an electric car refers to the entire electrical system that makes the vehicle work. With battery electric vehicles, this includes the inverter, traction motor, traction battery pack, power electronics controller, and reduction drive.
In an electric car, the power train is usually very lightweight and has little vibration, making an electric vehicle smooth to drive. Some can even recover displaced energy and store it back in the battery pack, boosting range.
Charge Port
Finally, there is the charging port. The port allows you to charge an EV by plugging it into an external power source, so the electric vehicle can take power from the grid. A charging point is also called electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).
More and more EVSEs are appearing around cities and towns, but drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) also install charging points at home.
Types of Electric Cars
There is more than just one type of electric car. A standard electric car has a fully electric motor and EV battery pack, but there are also hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. This is why the question "how do electric cars work?" is not so simple.
A hybrid is different because it uses an electric motor to support an internal combustion engine, making the vehicle low-emission and extending the range. The battery pack in an HEV is only small and has limited range. It cannot be plugged in, instead gaining energy from regenerative braking.
Meanwhile, plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) are similar, but they have a larger battery pack for electric car charging. Rechargeable batteries mean you can travel further on pure electric power, which the car runs on until the battery dies, and then it switches to the ICE.
How Does Charging an EV Work?
There are many ways to charge an EV. Most people have an EV charging point installed at home. Note that you cannot charge an EV with a regular plug, and you will need to install a proper charging station to fill up the battery quickly and efficiently.
There are several 'levels' of chargers:
- 120V wall plugs: In private homes, a wall plug can give your vehicle some juice, but its slow. You could charge an EV overnight, but be prepared to wait 8+ hours for just 60km of range. A full charge could take over 20 hours.
- 240V: Many EV drivers install a 240-volt plug for overnight charging. Most put out 10-25kW to take the battery to full charge in about 8 hours. These plugs are also the ones you often find at hotels.
- DC Fast Charging Stations (DCFC): For fast charging, you need a DCFC plug. These can get your battery to about 80% in 30 minutes, which is why you'll find them out and about in cities and service stations.
When you're out in town, you will have to pay to charge your vehicle, just like you would have to pay to fill up your car's tank. However, you can mostly charge your vehicle at home when using it for normal journeys like travelling to work.
What Are the Advantages of EVs?
EVs have many benefits over a traditional car. Here are some reasons people switch to an electric vehicle.
Cheaper to Run
Although EVs can be expensive to buy, they are typically cheap to run and aren't subjected to the rising and falling costs of petrol cars. The savings can become even greater if your house has solar panels, which charge the EV batteries using energy collected during the day.
EV batteries are long-lasting, don't need much maintenance, and are cheaper to charge than filling a car up with gas.
Reduced Maintenance
There are fewer car parts in all-electric vehicles compared to traditional cars. Without spark plugs and exhaust systems, there are fewer parts subjected to wear and tear, which means less time and money spent trying to get your car fixed.
No Emissions
With all-electric cars, there are no emissions, which makes these vehicles much more planet-friendly. That said, there are some environmental concerns about sourcing and disposing of lithium-ion batteries.
Quieter, Smoother Driving
EVs are quieter and less rattly than traditional vehicles, which makes the journey smoother and more pleasant for both driver and passengers.
What Are the Disadvantages of Electric Cars?
Many of the disadvantages of EVs are actually just misconceptions about how they work. For example, lots of drivers have range anxiety about how far an electric car can travel.
The EV's range depends on the battery capacities of the car, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh). An EV travels roughly 6km per kWh, so the larger the battery pack, the longer the range of the vehicle.
Modern EVs can go pretty far, with the Tesla Model S travelling over 560km on a single charge thanks to the 95kWh battery.
There is also the environmental argument, with some claiming that EVs are not much more eco-friendly. It takes emissions to produce the cars, and the raw materials are not necessarily climate-friendly or ethical. That said, EVs are generally a more environmentally friendly alternative to an emissions-producing gas-powered car.
After all, an electric car engine is not producing emissions the entire time it is running, whereas an ICE car is.
How to Use Your Electric Car
If you decide to take the plunge and get an electric car, make sure you know how to use it properly. This is the tell-all guide for using a typical EV.
Step 1: Charging
It's essential to know what kind of battery your car uses and where its charging port is located. Not all batteries work with all chargers, so this step is essential. For example, Tesla Model S is fitted with a rapid-charging battery and can use a more powerful charger, but some older cars cannot.
Next, unlock the charging port by using the button or lever, depending on the model. Plug in the charging cord, keeping an eye on the battery indicator on the display system to see when it's full.
Don't forget to close the port when you're done. It should lock automatically.
Step 2: Driving
Electric cars use a push-to-start mechanism, so hop in the driver's seat, buckle up, and then press the 'Start' button.
If you have a hybrid vehicle, make sure you're familiar with all the modes and settings. You should also check this in a fully electric car, as there may be sports modes to increase speed or other options that conserve battery life.
When you're ready to start driving, remember that EVs have faster acceleration than other road cars, so don't press too hard on the accelerator.
Then, while driving, try to break smoothly. The regenerative system maintains energy, but it doesn't work if you slam the brakes or come to an abrupt halt. Instead, when you slow down gently, the extra power is redirected back to the battery. Think of it as an onboard charger.
Remember that EVs are also much quieter than gas-powered cars, so be extra careful when driving and look out for pedestrians and cyclists who may not hear you coming.
Step 3: Extending Driving Range
If you are using your EV around the city and taking short, frequent journeys, you will rarely need to worry about range. Generally, you can just charge the car overnight at home and give the car the electricity required for your trips.
For a longer journey, you may need more power. Fortunately, there are now plenty of charging stations throughout Australia in towns and cities. Car parks are increasingly fitted with mid-range or rapid charging ports – but you need to plan your trip carefully.
Use a charging station map to figure out when and where you need to stop. Rapid charge points at service stations are usually able to give you 80% battery in half an hour, giving you time to use the bathroom, stretch your legs, and grab a snack before you're back on the road.
If you need to extend your range, remember that all electronic systems in the car use energy, including the stereo, SatNav, and A/C.
Speaking of the A/C, it's important to avoid extreme temperatures and maintain the proper operating temperature range. Cold has a worse effect on battery life, reducing range by 20-30%, but you should also avoid extreme heat so your car doesn't have to use the thermal system to cool itself down.
Final Thoughts: How to Use an EV
EVs are easy to use, which is part of their vast appeal. With more charging stations around the country than ever before and more models to choose from, it's easy to see why the popularity of EVs is increasing.
Plenty of people don't understand how an EV works, but the process can be simplified into a battery powering an electric motor to turn the wheels and make the car go. The system is much simpler than an ICE, which is why EVs power up quicker and run more smoothly. A lot of other components work in the background to ensure the car drives well, but the basic process is quite simple.
As the driver, there are a few things you can do to protect your car's moving parts and conserve battery life. Check out the details in this guide to learn more.
Thinking of buying an EV? Try a used car to cut costs, and get a car history report from Carify to make an informed purchase.
