In this article, I will share some information about what we know about electric vehicles, what are electric vehicles, what are their working principles, how they are charged, how to maintain them, their positive and negative features, and the future of electric vehicles.
What is an electric vehicle?
As a result of the technology age, vehicles with engines that save fuel, do not consume oil and operate quietly and with high efficiency have been designed. Electric means move by means of a rotor. The electric vehicle works thanks to the part called the rotor, which is in the electric motor and rotates and moves. As the rotor rotates, electric current is transmitted, electrical energy transforms into motion energy. Unlike gasoline vehicles, the engine does not need to reach a certain speed in order to feel the torque in the electric vehicle. The electric vehicle is used thanks to the battery owned in addition to the engine.
Stator: In short, the stator, which is defined as the static and non-moving part of the electric motor, is a component responsible for creating a rotating magnetic field.
Rotor: The rotor, which is the moving part of the electric motor, has an important role in the conversion of electricity to kinetic energy.
Working principle of electric vehicles
Electric cars work with an engine technology that offers new experiences in terms of fuel efficiency, environmental awareness, and performance. Familiar with most electronics from washing machines to small fans, these electric motors emerge as part of a more efficient working principle in automobiles.
Unlike the internal combustion engines like the classic cars running on gasoline or diesel, it has high efficiency, non-wear, and bi-directional operation features. The efficiency rate of internal combustion engines using fossil fuels is very low. Approximately 35% of the energy generated due to the moving parts and other parts in the engine produce the power to move it. This is considered to be a low rate compared to an electric car. While the motion energy is generated in internal combustion engines, high heat, noise, and vibration are generated. Electric cars, on the other hand, run quietly.
In addition to these features, electric vehicles do not have nearly 2000 moving parts and clutch lining, gearbox, pistons, fuel tank, exhaust system, and oil and water pump.
Electric motors, which have fewer components than internal combustion engines, have a simple operating principle.
- The adventure of an electric motor starts with the transmission of the energy stored in the battery to the motor.
- Before the direct current in the battery is given to the motor, it is converted to alternating current by sending it to the control unit.
- The electric current transformed in the control unit is first sent to the stator part of the motor.
- There are three separate pairs of coils arranged on the inner walls of the stator and made up of conductive wires.
- The electric current that passes sequentially through the pairs of coils, which are arranged opposite each other, creates an electromagnetic field after a circuit in three phases.
- The electric current generated in the fixed stator passes through the conductive rods on the rotor, causing the part to rotate.
- The rotation of the rotor creates the mechanical energy required for driving by moving the car gears.
How are electric vehicles charged?
Similar to charging cell phones at home, electric vehicles can also be charged. As in mobile phones, lithium-ion batteries are used in electric vehicles. The electric vehicle can be charged within 8–10 hours by using standard sockets that provide alternating current at home. Since the electrical installation in the house is single-phase and low-amp, the charging time of the vehicle is long. Unlike homes, the vehicle can be charged in a much shorter time thanks to the high current obtained from free charging stations installed in various locations.
It is possible to come across charging stations in shopping malls and gas stations. The vehicle is charged within 30–60 minutes by using the direct current obtained by the said fast-charging stations. It is known that many electric cars are charged 80% within 30 minutes. However, using an electric current with normal speed, the vehicle can be fully charged within 2 or 4 hours.
The distance traveled by an electric car with a fully charged battery varies between 150 and 600 kilometers, depending on the model of the car.
Many electric car companies give the battery of the electric vehicle a minimum of 8 years and a maximum of 15 years of warranty. Although the wear of the battery varies with how often the car is used, weakening of the battery is observed after 50,000 kilometers. This situation can be compared to the wear of internal combustion engines as the distance traveled increases.
How are electric vehicles maintained?
Compared to cars that run on gasoline or diesel, the engine structure of electric vehicles is simpler. Since there are fewer moving parts in the engine of the electric vehicle, there are fewer parts that need to be repaired and periodically maintained. Less money is spent on the maintenance of the electric vehicle. It should be maintained according to the distance traveled by the vehicle. The maintenance of the electric vehicle is as follows:
- Checking the tires
- Overhaul of the brake system
- Measuring the performance of the electric motor
- Determining the efficiency and wear rate of batteries
- Checking electrical parts
- Changing the battery when necessary
The positive features of electric vehicles
One of the most important benefits provided by electric vehicles is fuel savings. Natural resources are consumed because of cars that run on fossil fuels. Electricity is a lower-cost energy source compared to gasoline and diesel.
Compared to a vehicle with a fossil fuel-powered engine, electric vehicles are designed with more technological equipment.
Electric vehicles are environmentally friendly and provide fewer carbon emissions to the world.
Many car buyers are convinced to switch to an electric car because it is better for the environment. Since fully electric vehicles do not use an exhaust system, they have no emissions. Electric cars can help get cleaner air and fewer greenhouse gases without pumping any smoke into the air as gas engines do.
Electric cars can be powered naturally with renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower. However, gasoline is produced using petroleum, which is a natural resource but cannot be renewed. For those who want renewable energy to flow, even more, installing solar panels in your home will in turn power your electric car in your garage.
Electricity is also cheaper than gas. Electric cars typically cost a third of the cost of gas-powered vehicles. Many electric vehicles also use regenerative braking to add the energy the car needs to run, and it’s completely free.
Negative features of electric vehicles
The time required to fully charge electric vehicles is up to 10 hours.
The distance to which the electric vehicle will travel varies according to the state of charge. In an emergency, an insufficient charge level can cause a person to be in a difficult situation.
Electric vehicles are sold at higher prices compared to vehicles that run on fossil fuels.
The need for liquid fuel is eliminated in this way.
Can be charged
Environmentally friendly
More economical
Low fuel consumption
They are emission-free
Few charging stations
Finally, automakers have been producing traditional car models for over 100 years, but mass production of electric vehicles didn’t begin until the 90s. With less history, there are not as many electric models available as gas-powered models.
The future of electric vehicles
Experts say that more than the last 10 years, the use of electric vehicles will increase and a new era has entered. The world population is increasing day by day and with this, the growing countries, the increase in production needed by the people, increase the energy need day by day for the continuation of the world order. Today, most of the energy used in the world is obtained from petroleum and its derivatives fuels. Considering the possibility of running out of oil and petroleum-derived fuel resources one day and the oil wars to control oil resources, the search for clean energy to create cleaner and more natural habitats emerges. One of the sectors where oil is used the most is the transportation sector. A large part of traveling around the world is provided by land vehicles. Therefore, it is obvious that this process will pass quickly. The fact that the environmentalist perspective of the great states is increasing day by day and being accepted by the wider masses is an important factor in the increase of electric vehicles. As a result of the demand created by this request, large automobile companies have announced their plans to develop and expand their electric vehicles one by one since 2015, and they continue to work in this area.
I hope electric vehicles become widespread in a short time and begin to change our lives and our world.
