Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles have been recognized as being a key technology in helping reduce future emissions and the amount of energy or power used. The term electric vehicle (EV) is commonly used to refer to three main types of electric automobiles, those being the Battery Electric vehicle (BEV), Hybrid-Electric vehicle (HEV) and the Plug-in Hybrid Electric vehicle (pHEV).

The Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) has a 2-part drive system, a normal, conventional fuel engine and an electric drive. HEVs are a combination of both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles.

They include an ICE engine, fuel tank, transmission as well as a battery pack and electric motor. Some HEVs only have a small electric motor and battery system to propel the vehicle at low speeds. Depending on the level of hybridization of these two engines, these vehicles are referred to as micro-hybrids, mild hybrids, full hybrids. In all hybrid electric vehicles, the only source of energy comes from fuel, electrical energy is generated secondarily via alternator or regenerative braking. Regenerative braking is a process where the electric motor helps to slow the vehicle and uses some of the energy normally converted to heat by the brakes. HEVs start off using the electric motor, then the petrol engine cuts in as load or speed rises. The two motors are controlled by an internal computer which ensures the best economy for the driving conditions. The hybrid vehicle has been around for almost 20 years now

The Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) is a ‘true’ electric vehicle in that the only source of propulsion is from electrical energy and do not have a petrol engine, fuel tank or exhaust pipe. Its greatest asset is that it produces zero emissions. BEVs are also known as ‘plug-in’ EVs as they use an external electrical charging outlet to charge the battery. BEVs can also recharge their batteries through regenerative braking. Battery Electric Vehicles store their electricity with high capacity battery packs. This battery power is used to run the entire car, all electronics as well as the main-drive motor(s). Battery electric cars are powered by externally sourced electricity such as an electrical outlet or BEV charging stations.

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (pHEV) are very similar to hybrid electric vehicles, except for that the proportion energy used to move the vehicle is electricity, not fuel. The pHEV has larger electrical drives and battery storage capacity than HEVs and are equip with a smaller internal combustion engine only as the battery starts to run low or to replace the electric drivetrain when more power is required. Since the pHEVs can be recharged from an electrical outlet it is possible to drive them completely on electrical power. Compared with the standard hybrid, the rechargeable hybrid increases your comfort, above all. In terms of emissions, it does a little better, if you drive it properly and use the electric engine as much as possible.

While I’ve already stated many advantages to owning an electric vehicle here are some more to consider, and some of the disadvantages as well. The cost of gasoline heavily depends on the current political situation and our dwindling supplies of oil, which some expect to last us around 50 years. On the other hand, the cost of electricity is stable across the country, and improved sources of renewable power are in active development by some of the largest tech companies in the world. Performing basic calculations, the average electric vehicle can save a driver who drives 15,000 miles in a year about $850 annually on fuel. Keep in mind that these estimates have been made without taking any special charging systems into consideration. For EV owners and fleets participating in a smart charging program, the savings can be much higher. This, together with various tax breaks and government subsidies, means that virtually all electric vehicles start to pay for themselves a long time before they reach the end of their expected lifespans, leading to significant savings over time.

One overlooked advantage of electric vehicles is the ability to charge them at home or at a parking lot. People who live in family houses can simply plug in their vehicles after they return home from work and leave the next morning with batteries fully charged. Fleet vehicles can be charged using smart EV charging systems that offer maximum cost savings, thanks to advanced energy management tools. Currently, the fastest method of charging electric vehicles is known as DC Fast Charging. With it, most electric vehicles reach about 80% of charge in 30 minutes. EV owners can also pair home charging stations with solar panels, achieving true zero-carbon driving. But even without a home charging station, it’s becoming easier than ever to charge an EV at a public station.

The Obama Administration unlocked up to $4.5 billion in loan guarantees to support the commercial-scale deployment of innovative electric vehicle charging facilities, and Tesla wants to expand their network of Superchargers to cover all well-traveled highways and major city centers.

Noise pollution is detrimental to human health, and the engines of gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles are among its most significant sources. According to a study published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), “”Tens of millions of Americans suffer from a range of adverse health outcomes due to noise exposure, including heart disease and hearing loss.”” The same study claims that “”nearly 100 million people in the United States (about 50% of the population) had annual exposures to traffic noise that were high enough to be harmful to health.””At 65 mph, the average interior noise of a car with an internal combustion engine is around 70 dB. Electric vehicles, on the other hand, are almost whisper-quiet.

One of the biggest perceived disadvantages of battery electric cars is their limited range, which leads to what is known as range anxiety. To give an example, the 2016 Nissan Leaf can travel up to 107 miles on a single charge. The thought of only being able to drive 100 miles on a charge worries a lot of potential customers, who think that the somewhat limited range of electric vehicles isn’t enough to meet their needs. The truth is that electric cars can handle 87% of trips made by gasoline vehicles, according to a study released by MIT. That’s a much higher number than most people would have guessed, and it will only increase as the technology improves and the network of fast charging stations becomes denser.

Electric vehicles usually cost more upfront than their gasoline- or diesel-powered counterparts, but they are expected to be cheaper than conventional vehicles by 2022, even if the conventional cars improve their fuel efficiency by 3.5% a year. Even though we still have a few years until we get there, most electric vehicles start to pay for themselves a long time before they reach the end of their lifespans, thanks to fuel savings, lower maintenance costs, and government subsidies.

The current state of charging infrastructure leaves a lot to be desired, but the situation is rapidly improving. A new EV Charging Infrastructure report by IHS predicts EV charging stations across the world to grow from more than 1 million units in 2014 to more than 12.7 million units in 2020. And it’s not just the sheer number of charging stations that’s improving, either. Fast charging stations capable of providing 80 miles of electric range per 30-minute charge are now more affordable than ever.

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