In times like today, the focus is increasingly on sustainability and environmental friendliness. Through various political and economic objectives, we want to ensure the cleanest possible environment. To this end, we are increasingly doing without the production of unnecessary amounts of plastic, but the protection of the seas is also being promoted, water consumption is being restricted as far as possible and CO2 emissions are to be reduced to a minimum. As far as mobility is concerned, we can also act in an environmentally friendly way, for example by taking more buses and trains or avoiding unnecessary short journeys by car.
Nevertheless, we cannot completely banish the car from our everyday life. Independence in terms of mobility is simply too important for that. Commuters, family fathers, but also the self-employed simply need a vehicle. Maintaining social contacts is often dependent on a vehicle that can be used to visit friends and relatives. So a switch to bus, train or bicycle tours cannot always be implemented. It doesn't have to. It is perfectly fine to benefit from the mobility and comfort of a vehicle. But maybe we can change the way we're powered.
This is where electromobility comes into play. An e-car does not have a combustion engine, which is a burden on nature. Instead, an electric car is powered by a battery, which takes the vehicle from A to B using electricity alone. At this point it is worth taking a closer look at the engine of this car. What are the main types of these motors and what is the working principle?
Let's go into more detail below.
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Important Info about EVs – you should know that
Most people are aware that an e-car costs a little more to buy than a vehicle with a combustion engine. But if you take a closer look at the full cost calculation here, i.e. the actual costs that the car owner actually has to pay after purchase and use, you can quickly and clearly determine that you are on the cheaper track when it comes to electric cars. Because the maintenance costs, as well as the energy costs and also the wear and tear costs are significantly lower here. This is one of the many reasons why more and more owners of vehicles with combustion engines decide to convert and give the electric car a chance. A chance is the least these cars deserve, and below we explain why.
The heart of an electric vehicle is of course its battery. Other important units here are the cooling systems, the electric motor, as well as the power electronics and the temperature management. But the steering, as well as the braking systems and the heating are of course also operated electrically. As the battery is located between the vehicle's axles on the bottom of the body, this also guarantees a lower center of gravity for the car. In addition, the space can be used more ideally here, since there is no need for a combustion engine at the front of the car, for example.
Another criterion that inspires many car owners is the vibration-free and low-noise use.
But why has the e-car not really been able to assert itself against the combustion engine? This is probably largely due to the fact that energy storage for longer ranges has not yet been available. This means that e-cars generally cannot cover really long distances without having to be recharged. This is particularly difficult for car owners because charging stations for e-cars are not yet widespread. If you are driving your e-vehicle in an unfamiliar environment, travel long distances and have forgotten to charge the car beforehand, you can get into the unpleasant situation of having to find a charging station for your car under time pressure. This has so far deterred many motorists. However, today's vehicles with electric motors have significantly longer ranges, some of which are even up to 450 kilometers and more.
Lithium-ion batteries and how they work
Lithium-ion batteries are favored by most manufacturers when manufacturing electric motors. This is partly due to their safety and high power density. They are also characterized by their high cycle stability, which has made these batteries very popular in the manufacture of mobile phones and notebooks. However, if such a battery is installed in an electric car, it differs in that it has a special thermal management system, which in turn significantly extends the service life of such a battery. Overheating of the cells can be ruled out here, and the power and temperature can also be controlled. This, in turn, ensures a certain criterion that must be met so that such a battery can perform at its best: because said battery can only perform at its best in a temperature range of 10 to 40 degrees Celsius. This means that e-cars are not exactly ideal for standing outside without a garage and without a roof in the cold winter months. Room temperature (e.g. as given in a garage) is the ideal measure for these units.
DC motor or AC motor – what is an advantage?
As far as the charging of the batteries is concerned, the question arises as to what type of current they are fed with. There are DC motors and AC motors here. But what are the differences anyway? The difference between direct current and alternating current is that in alternating current there is a change in the polarity of the current. The electricity comes from so-called AC or DC charging stations. Depending on the type of e-car you drive, you should use one of the two charging stations. It is then charged either at home (preferably overnight) or at various charging stations on the go.
The conclusion and a tip from CarTipsandmore
E-cars will increasingly take a firm place on the streets of today. This is a goal we should build on. The batteries in these cars promise high performance, reliability, cost-effectiveness and quiet driving. Therefore, contact a car dealer you trust and get advice on electric vehicles and their batteries.
At this point, CarTipsandmore recommends that you always charge the battery of the electric car when you have a longer journey behind you to have. This protects this unit. Charging when cold is not recommended here.