Exploring the Components Behind Electric Cars

The electric car revolution is upon us, and it's no surprise why. Electric vehicles are not only environmentally friendly, but they are also cost-effective. But how exactly do electric cars work?

Put your seat belts on and lean back as we show you the fascinating technology that powers these eco-friendly vehicles!

Electric Cars

Did you know that the first EV was manufactured in 1832 by Robert Anderson? Yes, but it wasn’t a viable option for consumers until a significant development in battery technology was made. Electric motors inside the EVs are powered by a battery. They are touted as the future of personal transport as they are environmentally friendly and recyclable. Hence it is important for engineers to understand how these cars work.

Components of an Electric Car 

Electric cars are driven by electric motors and batteries, which are the two main components of an EV. However, there are other components and systems involved in the operation of an EV, and they are as follows.

• Electric Motor
• Batteries
• Controllers
• Power Inverters
• Charging System

Electric Motor

The electric motor is the heart of an electric car. It is responsible for converting electrical energy into mechanical energy, which is then used to power the car.

The AC motors in the EV powertrain use magnets and wire coils to create an electromagnetic field. Three-phase AC motors are deployed in electric cars to provide a high starting torque and improve efficiency.

Phase 2's positive peak occurs slightly after phase 1's peak, and phase 3's peak occurs slightly after phase 2's peak. It’s like constant waves of voltage. Hence, this causes a set of magnetic fields to be generated inside the motor, and this field causes the motor to rotate, which in turn drives the car’s wheels.

Batteries

The battery is the main source of power for the electric car. It stores the electrical energy and supplies it to the electric motor when needed. The battery is usually located in the trunk or the floor of the car and is connected to the motor and the wheels.

The batteries in an electric car need to have the following features.

• High power-to-weight ratio 
• High energy efficiency
• Good high-temperature performance
• Low self-discharge

Controllers

The electronic system works between the batteries and the motor to control the speed and acceleration of an electric vehicle. The controllers control the energy flow from the batteries. It is responsible for converting DC stored in the batteries into AC to be used by the AC motor.

The controller can switch the motor's direction of rotation so that the vehicle can move in reverse. It can also use the forward momentum of the EV and turn the motor into a generator to recharge the batteries. This is known as regenerative braking. 

Power Inverters

Power inverters are the electrical devices responsible for converting DC into AC. It works by slicing and dicing the DC to produce an AC output with the help of power transistors acting like switches.

The inverter can modify the motor's rotational speed by altering the AC's frequency. This is done by changing the signal's amplitude to increase or decrease the power or torque produced by the motor. The power inverters convert the DC supply of the EV battery into a three-phase alternate current that can utilised by the motors.

Onboard Charger

The charger is the device that supplies the electrical power to charge electric vehicles. There are several charger types and levels available depending on the needs. All EV chargers need to be UL certified. It’s important to ensure they are safe and have passed all the mandatory guidelines. Smart chargers have Wi-Fi connectivity and can be monitored and controlled by your smartphone or connected to your home assistant (Alexa, Google Home, etc.).

The 3 phase AC is suplied to the car from the grid which has to be converted to DC. The electricity coming from the charger is AC. However, the batteries only store DC. The primary role of an onboard charger is to convert the alternate current from the grid to the direct current. When the charger is plugged in, the AC is first converted into DC and stored in the battery packs. It also monitors the charging rate and handles V2L (Vehicle to Load).

Conclusion

By understanding the science behind electric cars, we can make informed decisions about our transportation choices. Simultaneously making you eligible for the role of an EV engineer and helping us to create a more sustainable future.

To learn more about EVs, check out Skill-Lync. We offer a number of courses, including Electric Vehicle Design & Development and Hybrid Electric Vehicle Design and Analysis. 

Our hands-on, project-based approach will enable students to find solutions for real-time challenges faced by engineers during the development process of an EV.  Start your learning journey with Skill-Lync!