Overview of Electric Vehicle

What is an Electric Vehicle

People use gasoline and diesel vehicles for their transportation. Traditional fossil fuel cars have internal combustion engines which are spark-ignited internal combustion engines for gasoline and compression-ignited combustion engines for diesel vehicles. In these types, the generated energy transfers to wheels through a mechanical transmission system. Mainly, fossil vehicles exhaust gases from the engine into the environment, which directly influences environmental pollution, and it has become a burning issue in the world. Also, there is a risk of the end of crude oil stock. Therefore, inventors were doing many activities to find alternative propulsion systems.

Electric vehicles are one of the best solutions recently and many car manufacturers are designing and manufacturing electric vehicles. Electric vehicles are commonly referred to as battery electric vehicles (BEVs), have low running costs and are environmentally friendly. Electric vehicle has electric motor instead of combustion engine, and large battery pack to power the electric motor. Due to the use of electric power, emissions are zero. Also, it does not contain the typical liquid fuel components of a normal combustion vehicle, such as a fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel pipes and exhaust system. The electric vehicle industry is still growing around the world.

Also, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) are semi-electric vehicle types. However, those types are equipped with internal combustion engines. Semi-electric vehicles are the most popular versions in the current vehicle market.

Key components of EV

Battery pack

The battery pack is the most important, and heart of an electric vehicle. Electric vehicles use battery packs to store electrical energy to propel the vehicle. The battery pack contains a series of battery cells that are grouped together as modules. After the battery is charged sufficiently, it provides the required power to the relevant components. Lead acid or metal hydride batteries are used for some EVs. However, battery technology improves day by day, modern EVs use Lithium-ion batteries, because they have a very low self-discharge rate for a few days, even weeks.

Electric Motor

Electric motors convert battery energy to mechanical energy to power the vehicle. EVs have one or more motors which are highly efficient and minimum maintenance. Also, there are motor generators to propel the vehicle and to regenerate the power back.

Power Inverter

The inverter converts the direct current (DC) battery power to alternating current (AC) to drive the elective vehicle. Also, inverters manage the speed of the motor by changing the frequency of the alternating current. In addition, it can maintain the flow of power between the motor and the battery, including regenerative braking.

Onboard Charger

The onboard charger maintains the external AC electricity power to charge the batteries by converting them into DC electricity power. It monitors the characterization of the battery, such as temperature, voltage, current and charging status.

Thermal Management System

A thermal management system maintains the temperature of the battery pack and critical components during the operation. This system contains coolants which circulate through pipes and pump across the battery pack, electric motor, power electronics, and other components. This helps to maintain the right temperature for high battery performance and the life of the battery.

Electric Power Control Unit (PCU)

The power electronics controller helps to manage and control the flow of electrical energy between the battery, electric motor, and other components to control the speed of the motors. Furthermore, it functions to control the rate of charge using information from the battery. Simply, it changes the speed and performance of the vehicle.

Transmission

EVs use a single-speed transmission to transfer mechanical power from the electric motor to propel the vehicle. Some EVs have multi-speed transmissions. Electric motors can provide a wide range of torque.

Regenerative Braking System

Regenerative brake converts some of the kinetic energy during deceleration and braking into electrical energy to recharge the battery.

Electronic Vehicle Controller

The electronic control unit manages various parameters of the vehicle including acceleration, braking and energy management. This is also called the brain of the vehicle. It is operated by software.

High-voltage wiring and Connectors

Electricity flows through high-voltage wires and connectors from the battery to the motor and other components.

Vehicle Charging Port

Charging port allows to connect with external power source at stations or home.

How EVs works

Electric vehicles have forward and reverse modes according to transmission selection. When putting the vehicle into gear position and pressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle moves. So, the power inverter converts DC power from batteries to AC power for the electric motor. Electronic Vehicle Controller adjusts the vehicle speed by changing the frequency of the AC power according to the accelerator pedal. When pressing the brake, the car decelerates, and the motor starts to operate as an alternator to charge the batteries.

Advantages

Noise is very low

Zero emission

No additional mechanical components, such as exhaust, IC engines, gears

Lower operating cost due to fever mechanical components

High energy efficient

Limitations

Rechargeable time is higher

Low driving range

Lack of charging stations

Higher battery replaces the cost

Future trends

As per technology development, many manufacturers try to resolve the issues daily. The battery industry grows rapidly around the world. Many of the world's leading car manufacturers invest more money to invent new technologies to make electric vehicles an increasingly popular and practical choice for many consumers. 

Another big news is the Hydrogen Fuel Cell based vehicle industry. In this type, hydrogen is used to power the motors. This is also still an upcoming technology, and few car models were manufactured for testing purposes. The Honda car manufacturing company has developed and produced the world's first government-certified commercial hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.