A Col Crawford LifeStyle Cars Special Report - Electric Cars
How Does an Electric Car Work?
What makes an electric car move? How does an electric car battery charge? How does an electric car recharge from braking? And do you need AA or AAA’s?
By Steve Crawford of Col Crawford, Sydney Car Service Experts
The electric car revolution is nearly upon us and in our last article (>>read more about Sustainable Transportation and the Future of Electric Cars) Col Crawford explained how it may unfold. But how do electric cars actually work? The basic way a car engine operates hasn’t changed since they were invented, so electric cars are a big shift away from today’s internal combustion engines.
Conventional gas powered engines work by putting a tiny amount of high-energy fuel (like petrol or diesel) into a small, enclosed space and igniting it, resulting in vast amounts of energy being released – which is then used to power your car. The process requires an exhaust system to get rid of emissions created through the ignition process, such as CO2.
An electric car has an electric motor which draws its energy not from the tiny fuel explosions but from a rechargeable battery located in the car. This battery will not only provide the power to drive around but also operates auxiliary items from wipers to lights.
There are four master components that all have a part in getting the power to the right places at the right voltage. All electric cars are different, and as they evolve they will come up out with even better technologies but the basic principals are the same.
Electric Car Engine Components
So, How Does an Electric Car Battery Charge?
And How Does an Electric Car Go?
How Does an Electric Car Recharge From Braking?
Of course all these processes happen very, very quickly – you will never ever notice them taking place, except that your car is doing what you asked it to.
Lithium ion batteries are currently the choice for electric cars (like you have in your digital camera or smart phone) as they have a superior stored energy/weight ratio – which means they are lighter, more compact and can store more energy. They also don’t suffer from “memory effect” – remember the first mobile phones and digital cameras that you had to completely wear out the batteries or else they wouldn’t charge completely – not these first generation batteries!
The next challenge with electric cars is to manufacturer batteries that are smaller and lighter but have a longer life, plus reduce the price of the batteries. But if the evolution of computers is a guide this will happen quickly.
At a glance you couldn’t tell that the vehicle you are looking at is electric but there are some obvious differences. We have discussed how an electric car doesn’t emit anything, so the first thing is that it doesn’t have an exhaust system. Now have a run around the car and see where the petrol goes in – ah – that’s right no fuel needed. Usually located on the rear, electric cars will have an input to plug in and recharge.
>>Col Crawford will soon have here the Mitsubishi iMeiv , MINI E, Renault ZE range and Nissan Leaf. Click here to visit our blog and see when you can check out all new electric vehicles on the Northern Beaches for yourself.
>>Click here to read more about the future of the Electric Car, from Col Crawford, Lifestyle Cars!
>>Click here for Col Crawford Lifestyle Cars First Time Car Buyer’s Guide.
>>How to Improve Your Car’s Environmental Impact
Expert Advice by Stephen Crawford
The Managing Director of Col Crawford Lifestyle Cars, which has been the Northern Beaches automotive centre for over 42 years. Steve has lived and breathed cars all his life.
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