How Do Electric Cars Work
Gas guzzling automotive may be a thing of the past some day, when they are replaced on a large scale by vehicles powered by alternative technologies that do not rely on gasoline for power. Their replacements are already around on streets, in the form of electric cars. If you always wanted to know how electric cars work, this article has answers for you.
If you understand how a car works, (a gasoline powered car), you will be in a better position to understand the working of electric cars. You will be able to comprehend how the electric car design mimics the working of a gasoline powered car and yet, is vastly different from it internally. Gasoline cars are converted into electrical cars by running a complete redesigning and transplant operation.
How Does an Electric Car Work?
While gasoline cars run on internal combustion engines, that convert the chemical energy locked in gasoline into mechanical energy, electric cars run on AC and DC motors, powered by rechargeable batteries. The difference in the power sources that provides the motive force of operation, leads to a substantial difference in the internal machinery, in an electric car and a gasoline car.
While the insides of a gasoline car are characterized by plumbing, electric car insides are known for their extensive wiring. Compared to conventional cars, electric cars are less polluting and more efficient.
Power Source: Rechargeable Batteries
The power source of electric cars are rechargeable lead acid, lithium ion or nickel metal hydride batteries connected in series. To power up an electric car, you do not have to visit a gas station. Just plug it into an electric socket like your cell phone and it gets recharged. Solar powered electric cars use solar cells to charge up the car batteries.
Other technologies that are used as power sources for electric cars are fuel cells, which are special electrochemical cells that can produce electricity. Many other alternative mechanisms are being developed that can run an inbuilt electrical generator by harnessing the motion of the car itself. It will be difficult to differentiate an electric car from a conventional car, just through external appearance. However, one way of identifying them is the absence of sound of operation. Compared to gas guzzlers who have clanking engines and moving parts, electric cars are smooth in functioning and silent.
Engine Equivalent: DC/AC Motor
The electric car engine is not a combustion engine but a DC or AC electric motor. The same kind which powers a fan or a compressor. The motive force for motion of wheels is provided by the DC motor that is driven by power delivered by rechargeable batteries. However, power isn't directly fed to the motor, but is mediated by an AC or DC controller mechanism.
Speed Control Mechanism: DC/AC Controller
The speed control of an electric car is made possible by a DC or AC controller device. The controller device decides how much power is delivered to the main electric motor that drives the wheels. The accelerator pedal is connected to potentiometers, which are further connected with the DC controller.
Depending on how much you press down on the accelerator pedal, the potentiometers deliver a proportional current to the controller. Depending on the current supplied, the controller delivers power to the motor. This is how speed is regulated by the controller. To understand car working, you need to know the working of a controller.
When electric cars are created by conversion of gasoline cars, the manual transmission is kept intact and usually locked in the second gear. The electric motor drives the transmission which ultimately delivers power to the wheels. All other systems that are usually powered by the car engine, are replaced by electric motors. Heating is driven by electric heaters. This is how an electrical analog of a gasoline powered car is created. Electric cars can attain speeds of 100 miles per hour. The only problem with electric car remains is that their cost of production is high, which makes them substantially costly.
Future research in electric car design will focus on developing technologies to bring down the cost of production and creating more efficient ways of harnessing power from alternative energy sources. The trend has already started with the use of hybrid cars all over the world. Opting for electric cars is a smarter and more eco-friendly option for the future.
