An electric vehicle (EV) is one that operates on an electric motor, instead of an internal-combustion engine that generates power by burning a mix of fuel and gases. Therefore, such as vehicle is seen as a possible replacement for current-generation automobile, in order to address the issue of rising pollution, global warming, depleting natural resources, etc. Though the concept of electric vehicles has been around for a long time, it has drawn a considerable amount of interest in the past decade amid a rising carbon footprint and other environmental impacts of fuel-based vehicles.
3. Overview
1. An electric car is a one powered by an electric motor rather than a traditional petrol/diesel engine.
This electric motor is powered by rechargeable batteries that can be charged by common household
electricity.
2. An electric vehicle (EV) is one that operates on an electric motor, instead of an internal-combustion
engine that generates power by burning a mix of fuel and gases.
3. Therefore, such as vehicle is seen as a possible replacement for current-generation automobile, in
order to address the issue of rising pollution, global warming, depleting natural resources, etc.
4. Though the concept of electric vehicles has been around for a long time, it has drawn a considerable
amount of interest in the past decade amid a rising carbon footprint and other environmental impacts
of fuel-based vehicles.
4. Why Electric Vehicle EV
1. Pollution:
Transportation accounts for one third of all energy usage.
Use of 10% of ZEV cuts 1 million tons/year of air pollutants.
With 100% EV - CO2 emission would be cut by half.
2. Availability of Fuel:
Fast depletion of fossil fuel and dependence on middle east countries for
fuel.
3. Capital Cost and Maintenance Cost:
EV has a more capital cost.
But life cycle cost of EV is lesser than ICEV.
4. Well to Wheel Efficiency:
The EV is found to have a better WTW efficiency than ICEV.
ICEV- Internal Combustion Engines Vehicles
EV- Electric Vehicles
ZEV- Zero Emission Vehicles
5. History of EV
1. The invention of the first model electric vehicle is attributed to
various people.
2. In 1828, Anyos Jedlik invented an early type of electric motor,
and created a small model car powered by his new motor.
3. Between 1832 and 1839, Scottish inventor Robert Anderson also
invented a crude electric carriage.
4. In 1835, Professor Sibrandus Stratingh of Groningen, the
Netherlands and his assistant Christopher Becker from Germany
also created a small-scale electric car, powered by non-
rechargeable primary cells.
6. History of EV in India
1. In 1996, The first electric vehicle i.e. Three Wheeler VIKRAM SAFA was developed by
Scooters India Pvt Ltd, Lucknow and approximately 400 vehicles were made and sold. These
vehicles ran on 72 volt lead acid battery.
2. In 1999, Mahindra and Mahindra Ltd. Launched its first electric three wheeler and also launched
a new company, based in Coimbatore, in 2001, to make and sell electric vehicles named Bijlee.
3. In 2000, BHEL developed an eighteen seater electric bus. Its power pack consisted of an AC
Induction Motor and 96V Lead acid battery pack. The major concern with these vehicles was
their poor consistency, low life and very high cost of battery.
4. In 2001, Bajaj Auto ltd, Pune, had also demonstrated their 3 seater electric rickshaw. The vehicle
used advance PMSM drive system. However this product has not been commercially launched.
5. In 2001, REVA, Bangalore, entered the EV sector in the car industry with a vehicle developed
by American company (Amerigon). Some 3200 cars had been sold worldwide including
approximately 1500 cars that had been sold in India, mostly in Bangalore city.
6. In 2007, in two wheeler segment, Hero cycles collaborated with UK based ULTRA Motor to
launch a series of bikes.
7. Need of EV
1. Contributes to cleaner air.
2. To preserve the fossil fuels.
3. Less maintenance.
4. More efficient.
5. Cost Effective.
6. EVs are very responsive and have
very good torque.
8. Parts of EV
The basic main elements of electric cars installed in almost all types of electric cars are as follows:
1. Battery: The function of the battery in an electric car is as an electrical energy storage system in the form of direct-
current electricity (DC). There are various types of electric car batteries. The most widely used is the type of
lithium-ion batteries.
2. Controller: The main function of the controller is as a regulator of electrical energy from batteries and inverters
that will be distributed to electric motors. While the controller itself gets the main input from the car pedal (which
is set by the driver). This pedal setting will determine the frequency variation or voltage variation that will enter the
motor, and at the same time determine the car’s speed.
3. AC/ DC motor: Because the controller provides electrical power from the traction battery, the electric traction
motors will work turning the transmission and wheels. Some hybrid electric cars use a type of generator-motor that
performs the functions of propulsion and regeneration. In general, the type of electric motor used is the BLDC
(brushless DC) motor.
10. Types of Battery used in EVs
1. Lithium-Ion Batteries.
2. Nickel-Metal
Hydride Batteries.
3. Lead-Acid Batteries.
4. Ultracapacitors.
11. Types of EV
1. EVs (also known as plug-in Electric Vehicles) derive all or part of their power
from electricity supplied by the electric grid. They include AEVs and PHEVs.
2. AEVs (All-electric Vehicles) are powered by one or more electric motors. They
receive electricity by plugging into the grid and store it in batteries. They
consume no petroleum-based fuel and produce no tailpipe emissions. AEVs
include Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles
(FCEVs).
3. PHEVs (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles) use batteries to power an electric
motor, plug into the electric grid to charge, and use a petroleum-based or
alternative fuel to power the internal combustion engine. Some types of PHEVs
are also called extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs).
13. Merits & Demerits of EV
S.No MERITS DEMERITS
1 Lower ongoing costs: Recharging an electric car is
much more affordable in the long run as opposed to
refueling a gas-fueled car.
Limited driving range: The driving range of a gas-
powered car is much longer than that of an electric car,
which can range anywhere from 100 miles to 400
depending on the type of car.
2 Reduce carbon footprint: According to the EPA,
one traditional gas-fueled passenger vehicle with a
22-miles per gallon range emits an average of 4.6
metric tons of carbon dioxide per year.
Few charging stations: Even though you can charge an
electric vehicle at home, finding a charging station if
you're driving through rural areas or on a long-distance
road trip can be a challenge.
3 Low maintenance needs: We all know cars need a
bit of TLC from time to time. Petrol and diesel
engines can require expensive engine maintenance
over their lifetimes – electric vehicles don’t.
Long charge time: It can take upwards of two days to
get a full charge on a battery pack using normal outlets,
depending on car type and battery size. Even the fastest
charging stations will take 30 minutes to get near 80
percent capacity.
14. To be continued…
S.No MERITS DEMERITS
4 High Quality Performance: There is no exhaust
system, electric cars are known for operating
smoothly and quietly. Electric cars usually
operate more efficiently and use less energy in
stop-and-go city traffic.
High upfront costs: Although the cost of an electric
car can be offset by fuel cost savings and tax credits,
the upfront price of most electric cars is higher than
that of comparable gas-powered vehicles.
5 Convenient: Some newer electric cars even have
voice-enabled systems so all you have to do is ask
where a charging station is and the car will lead
you there.
Battery replacement expense & Lower Battery
Life: We will need to be replaced every 3 – 10 years
depending on the make and model.
15. Solar Powered EVs
A solar vehicle or solar electric vehicle is an electric vehicle powered completely or significantly by
direct solar energy.
Usually, photovoltaic (PV) cells contained in solar panels convert the sun's energy directly into electric
energy.
The term "solar vehicle" usually implies that solar energy is used to power all or part of a
vehicle's propulsion.
Solar power may be also used to provide power for communications or controls or other auxiliary
functions.