Week 2 Challenge

2) https://fueleconomy.gov/feg/atv-ev.shtml

Based on the sources cited above, we may consider two main conditions under which electric vehicles and IC engine based vehicles are compared for losses:

- While driving in a city.

- While driving on a highway.

Losses in electric vehicles while driving in a city:

1. Electrical charging losses (10%): This is the energy lost by converting AC current to DC current and by keeping in mind the battery's resistance to charging.

2. Accessory losses (4%): Energy lost in power steering and powertrain cooling and control systems.

3. Auxiliary electrical losses (0-4%): Energy consumed due to the use of lights, windshields, entertainment systems, etc.

4. Electrical drive train losses (20%): Energy lost due to drivetrain inefficiencies.

A net loss can be contemplated as 34-38%. Hence power that can be used for motion is about 62-66%. An additional 34% power can be retained by means of regenerative braking, where the motor stops as soon as the vehicle stops to avoid losses due to idling.

Losses in electric vehicles while driving on a highway:

1. Electrical charging losses (10%)

2. Accessory losses (2%):

3. Auxiliary electrical losses (0-2%):

4. Electrical drive train losses (15%):

A net loss can be contemplated as 27-29%. Hence power that can be used for motion is about 71-73%. An additional 6% power can be retained by means of regenerative braking.

Losses in IC engine based vehicles while driving in a city:

1. Engine losses (71-75%): Energy lost in the engine as heat, friction, and other inefficiencies.

2. Auxiliary electrical losses (0-2%)

3. Parasitic losses (5-7%): Energy lost due to water, fuel, and oil pumps combined with those at ignition system and engine control system. We also include the idle losses i.e energy lost when the car might be in traffic.

4. Drivetrain losses (4-5%)

A net loss can be contemplated as 80-87%. The power that can be used for motion is about 13-20%.

Losses in IC engine based vehicles while driving on a highway:

1. Engine losses (64-69%)

2. Auxiliary electrical losses (0-2%)

3. Parasitic losses (3-4%):

4. Drivetrain losses (4-7%)

A net loss can be contemplated as 71-82%. The power that can be used for motion is about 18-29%.

Scenarios where electric vehicles might be less efficient: Since a significant amount of energy is lost in charging batteries and in electrical drive trains we see a need for more battery charging stations which is still in a developmental state in many parts of the world. Hence long-distance travel might be a lesser efficient option when it comes to electric vehicles. In the case of highways with lesser recharge stations when compared to gas stations based on vehicle requirements, an IC engine based vehicle might be a better option. However, with the growing shift to electric vehicles, this option might change soon.