Wiktor Wise
Electric Vehicle (EV) is a motor vehicle whose propulsion is powered fully or mostly by electricity. They are cars with an electric motor powered by a battery instead of a combustion engine powered by gasoline. The fast-growing popularity of electric cars is driving demand for public EV charging stations. The range of an EV on a full charge varies according to several factors, including the model, battery size, and chemistry, as well as driving conditions. Hybrid vehicles have an EV mode that allows them to be powered entirely by electricity without using gasoline, which is ideal for low-speed city driving.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Electric Vehicle |
| Propulsion | Powered fully or mostly by electricity |
| Types | Battery electric vehicles, hybrids, plug-in hybrids |
| Examples | Acura ZDX, Audi e-tron, BMW i3, Chevrolet Bolt, Jaguar I-Pace, Nissan Leaf |
| Power | Measured in kilowatts (kW) |
| Torque | Electric motors can deliver maximum torque over a wide RPM range |
| Performance | Exceeds that of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine |
| Emissions | No tailpipe emissions |
| Environmental Impact | Reduced respiratory illnesses, lower carbon emissions |
| Energy Source | Electricity, charged via wall socket or charging equipment |
| Fuel Efficiency | Higher than traditional cars |
| Operating Costs | Lower maintenance costs due to fewer moving parts |
| Energy Regeneration | Through regenerative braking |
| Incentives | Government incentives, rebates, tax breaks |
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What You'll Learn
Electric Vehicle History
Electric vehicles (EVs) are motor vehicles that are powered fully or mostly by electricity. They encompass a wide range of transportation modes, including road and rail vehicles, electric boats, underwater vessels, electric aircraft, and even electric spacecraft.
The history of electric vehicles can be traced back to the late 19th century when the Second Industrial Revolution brought about electrification and the mass utilization of DC and AC electric motors. During this time, innovators in Hungary, the Netherlands, and the United States began experimenting with the concept of battery-powered vehicles, creating some of the first small-scale electric cars. One of the earliest electric carriages was invented by Scottish inventor Robert Anderson in the late 1820s to 1830s, and a small-scale electric car was created by Professor Sibrandus Stratingh of Groningen, the Netherlands, and his German assistant, Christopher Becker, in 1835.
In the 1880s, French inventor Gustave Trouvé tested what was likely the first human-carrying electric vehicle with its own power source along a Paris street. Around the same time, in the United States, the first successful electric car made its debut thanks to William Morrison, a chemist from Des Moines, Iowa. This six-passenger vehicle had a top speed of 14 miles per hour and helped spark interest in electric vehicles.
Electric vehicles gained popularity in the early 1900s, with 28% of cars on the road in the US being electric in 1900. They held multiple land speed and distance records during this time and were produced by companies such as Baker Electric, Columbia Electric, and Detroit Electric. President Woodrow Wilson and his secret service agents even toured Washington, D.C., in their Milburn Electrics, which had a range of 60-70 miles per charge.
However, several factors contributed to a decline in the popularity of electric vehicles in the early 20th century. Improved road infrastructure required a greater range than what electric cars could offer, and the discovery of large petroleum reserves in the US made internal combustion-powered cars cheaper to operate over long distances. Additionally, the invention of the electric starter by Charles Kettering in 1912 and the muffler by Hiram Percy Maxim in 1897 made internal combustion-powered cars easier to operate and reduced the noise emitted by their engines.
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, interest in electric vehicles resurged due to rising gasoline prices and growing concerns about carbon pollution and the environmental impact of hydrocarbon-fueled vehicles. The Toyota Prius, released in Japan in 1997 and worldwide in 2000, became the world's first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle and was an instant success. Since then, electric vehicles have continued to gain popularity, with companies like Tesla Motors entering the market and global sales of electric cars led by the Nissan Leaf and Tesla Model S.
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Electric Vehicle Benefits
Electric vehicles (EVs) are motor vehicles that are powered fully or mostly by electricity. They include road and rail vehicles, boats, underwater vessels, aircraft, and even spacecraft.
The benefits of electric vehicles are numerous. Firstly, they are environmentally friendly, as they do not emit tailpipe pollutants, helping to reduce respiratory illnesses such as asthma. While the electricity used to charge EVs may be generated through means that have environmental impacts, in most cases, the carbon emissions from producing and operating an EV are still lower than those of a conventional vehicle. In regions with relatively low-polluting energy sources, EVs typically have a significant life cycle emissions advantage.
EVs are also more cost-effective than traditional vehicles. They have lower fuel costs due to the high efficiency of electric-drive components, and drivers can save money on gas as they require no fuel. Additionally, EVs have lower maintenance costs due to their efficient electric motors, which have fewer parts that can be damaged compared to traditional combustion engines.
Another benefit of EVs is their performance. They have faster acceleration and can deliver maximum torque over a wide RPM range, resulting in better performance than vehicles with internal combustion engines.
Furthermore, EVs offer flexible charging options as they can be charged at home, work, or public charging stations. The electric grid is also near most locations where people park, making it convenient for EV owners to charge their vehicles.
Finally, the adoption of EVs can lead to improved air quality and reduced health issues for vulnerable communities, especially those located near freight hubs and high-traffic corridors.
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Electric Vehicle Types
Electric vehicles (EVs) are motor vehicles that are powered fully or mostly by electricity. They are key to reducing emissions from road transport, which accounts for 16% of global emissions.
There are several types of EVs:
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
BEVs, or EVs, are fully electric vehicles with rechargeable batteries. They do not have a gasoline or internal combustion engine and do not generate tailpipe emissions or air pollution. BEVs are considered zero-emission vehicles. All energy to operate them comes from the chemical energy stored in the battery, which is recharged by plugging into a charging station or outlet.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
HEVs use both a gasoline-powered engine and an electric motor. The battery can be recharged through regenerative braking, which captures energy that would typically be lost as heat during braking and repurposes it to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration. HEVs have an electric propulsion system drivetrain and a conventional gasoline-powered, internal-combustion engine. They produce lower tailpipe emissions and many also have a start-stop system, which reduces idling emissions by shutting down the engine at idle and restarting it when needed.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
PHEVs also have both an engine and an electric motor. They can partially recharge their batteries through regenerative braking but typically have larger batteries and can be plugged into the grid for recharging. PHEVs can travel several dozen miles on electric power before the gasoline engine is needed, and then they operate like a regular hybrid vehicle.
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Electric Vehicle Batteries
Electric vehicles (EVs) are motor vehicles that are powered fully or mostly by electricity. The battery pack is the "heart and soul" of an EV. Most electric vehicle batteries are lithium-ion, similar to those used in cell phones and laptops but on a larger scale. These batteries have a high energy density and are less likely to lose their charge when not in use. The capacity of an EV battery is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), with a higher kWh rating allowing the vehicle to travel more miles before needing to recharge.
The performance of an EV battery can be affected by temperature, with frigid temperatures reducing performance and the ability to accept a charge. A study found that when temperatures drop to 20°F and the heater is in use, the range of an average EV drops by 41%. Similarly, when outside temperatures hit 95°F and the air conditioning is in use, the range of an EV will drop by an average of 17%. EV batteries can take anywhere from eight to sixteen hours to fully charge using a conventional 120-volt circuit (Level 1 charging). A faster alternative is Level 2 charging, which uses a 240-volt line and can reduce charging times to as little as four hours. Level 3 charging, also known as DC Fast Charging, is the quickest option, bringing an EV battery up to 80% capacity in as little as 30 minutes. However, it is only available at a limited number of public charging stations.
All electric vehicle batteries will degrade over time and lose some of their ability to maintain a full charge. The degradation is often uneven, with each battery cell degrading differently during operation. Despite this, federal regulations require that EV battery packs be covered under warranty for at least eight years or 100,000 miles. There are also waste management methods to reuse and repurpose the battery packs, such as using them for stationary storage.
The cost of electric vehicle batteries has seen a significant decrease over the years, with a drop of 87% since 2010 in terms of cost per kilowatt-hour. The most common type of battery in EVs is the Li-NMC battery, which uses lithium, nickel, manganese, and cobalt oxides. However, the LFP battery, which is heavier but cheaper and more sustainable, is gaining popularity. Additionally, the first commercial passenger cars are using sodium-ion batteries, which eliminate the need for critical minerals.
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Electric Vehicle Charging
Electric vehicles (EVs) are motor vehicles that are powered fully or mostly by electricity. They include road and rail vehicles, electric boats, underwater vessels, electric aircraft, and even electric spacecraft. EVs produce no tailpipe air pollutants and can help reduce respiratory illnesses.
EVs can be charged using electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) at different charging speeds. The type of charging equipment depends on the voltage available and the charging speed desired. There are three main types of charging levels:
Level 1 Charging
Level 1 equipment provides charging through a common residential 120-volt (120V) AC outlet. This is the slowest charging option and can take 40-50+ hours to charge a battery electric vehicle (BEV) to 80% from empty and 5-6 hours for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). Level 1 chargers are typically used for charging at home or at the workplace.
Level 2 Charging
Level 2 equipment offers higher-rate AC charging through 240V (residential) or 208V (commercial) electrical service. Level 2 chargers are common for home, workplace, and public charging. They can charge a BEV to 80% from empty in 4-10 hours and a PHEV in 1-2 hours. Level 2 charging stations allow EV owners to charge their vehicles while parked at home, at work, or on the street.
Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC)
DCFC equipment offers rapid charging at installed stations, typically along heavy-traffic corridors or highway corridors. DCFC can charge a BEV to 80% in just 20 minutes to 1 hour. These chargers provide a charging experience comparable to a gas station. However, most PHEVs currently on the market do not work with fast chargers.
Different vehicles have different charge ports, and it's important to consider the voltages, charging times, and costs when selecting a charger type. Charging speed is influenced by factors such as the charger manufacturer, condition, and age, as well as the air temperature and vehicle battery capacity. Additionally, the charging speed slows as the battery approaches a full charge to prevent battery damage. As a result, it is more cost-effective for EV drivers to use DC fast charging until the battery reaches 80% and then continue their trip.
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Frequently asked questions
EV stands for Electric Vehicle.
An EV is a motor vehicle that is powered fully or mostly by electricity. It uses a large traction battery pack to power the electric motor and must be plugged into a wall outlet or charging equipment.
EVs emit no tailpipe air pollutants and reduce respiratory illnesses such as asthma. They also have lower operating costs as they require less maintenance than gasoline engines.
