ELECTRIC VEHICLE:
Electric vehicles (EVs), also called battery electric vehicles (BEVs), are propelled by an
electric motor (or motors) powered by rechargeable battery packs. No other fuel source is
used, and there is no internal combustion engine (ICE). EVs require battery charging to
power the motor.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE BENEFITS
Energy-efficient driving. Electric motors convert 75% of the chemical energy from the
batteries to power the wheels, while ICEs only convert 20% of the energy stored in
gasoline.
Environmentally friendly driving. EVs emit no tailpipe pollutants, although the power
plant producing the electricity may emit carbon dioxide or other GHGs. Electricity from
nuclear-, hydro-, solar-, or wind-powered plants creates no air pollutants.
Performance benefits. Electric motors provide quiet, smooth operation and stronger
acceleration while requiring less maintenance than ICEs.
Reduced dependence on imported energy. Electricity is a domestic energy source in
many countries, as opposed to oil.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHALLENGES:
Driving range. Most EVs can only go about 100–200 miles before recharging, while
gasoline vehicles can go over 300 miles before refueling.
Charge time. Fully charging the battery pack can take 4 to 8 hours. Even a "quick charge"
to 80% capacity can take 30 minutes.
Battery cost. The large battery packs are expensive and may need to be replaced one or
more times before the rest of the car.
Bulk and weight. Battery packs are heavy and take up considerable vehicle space.
ELECTRIC VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION:
The major components of the EV are an electric motor, an ECM, a traction battery, a battery
management system, a smart battery charger, a cabling system, a regenerative braking system, a
vehicle body, a frame, EV fluids for cooling, braking, etc., and lubricants.
Electronic Drive Systems
An EV is propelled by an electric motor. The traction motor is in turn controlled by the
engine controller or an electronic control module. Electric motors may be understood
through the principles of electromagnetism and physics. In simple terms, an electrical
conductor carrying current in the presence of a magnetic field experiences a force
(torque) that is proportional to the product of the current and the strength of the magnetic
field. Conversely, a conductor that is moved through a magnetic field experiences an
induced current.
In an electric propulsion system, the electronic control module regulates the amount of
current and voltage that the electric motor receives. Operating voltages can be as high as
360 V or higher. The controller takes a signal from the vehicle’s accelerator pedal and
controls the electric energy provided to the motor, causing the torque to turn the wheels.
There are two major types of electric drive systems: alternating current (AC) and direct
current (DC). In the past, DC motors were commonly used for variable-speed
applications. Because of recent advances in high-power electronics, however, AC motors
are now more widely used for these applications.
DC motors are typically easier to control and are less expensive, but they are often larger
and heavier than AC motors. At the same time, AC motors and controllers usually have a
higher efficiency over a large operational range, but, due to complex electronics, the
ECMs are more expensive. Today, both AC and DC technologies can be found in
commercial automobiles.
Battery:
A battery cell consists of five major components: (1) electrodes—anode and cathode; (2)
separators; (3) terminals; (4) electrolyte; and (5) a case or enclosure. Battery cells are
grouped together into a single mechanical and electrical unit called a battery module.
These modules are electrically connected to form a battery pack, which powers the
electronic drive systems. There are two terminals per battery, one negative and one
positive. The electrolyte can be a liquid, gel, or solid material. Traditional batteries, such
as lead-acid (Pb-acid), nickel-cadmium (NiCd), and others have used a liquid electrolyte.
This electrolyte may either be acidic or alkaline, depending on the type of battery. In
many of the advanced batteries under development today for EV applications, the
electrolyte is a gel, paste, or resin.
Examples of these battery types are advanced sealed Pb-acid, NiMH, and Lithium (Li)-
ion batteries. Lithium-polymer batteries, presently under development, have a solid
electrolyte. In the most basic terms, a battery is an electrochemical cell in which an
electric potential (voltage) is generated at the battery terminals by a difference in
potential between the positive and negative electrodes. When an electrical load such as a
motor is connected to the battery terminals, an electric circuit is completed, and current is
passed through the motor, generating the torque.
Outside the battery, current flows from the positive terminal, through the motor, and
returns to the negative terminal. As the process continues, the battery delivers its stored
energy from a charged to a discharged state. If the electrical load is replaced by an
external power source that reverses the flow of the current through the battery, the battery
can be charged. This process is used to reform the electrodes to their original chemical
state, or full charge.
BATTERY:
