Electric Cars Facts

Archive for the ‘Electric Cars Engine’ Category

Electric cars use one of two different types of motors: AC and DC. If the motor is the former, then it typically has a three-phase AC motor running at 240 volts with a 300 volt battery pack. However, if the motor is the latter, then it may run on anything from 96 to 192 volts. The majority of DC motors used in electric vehicles come from the electric forklift industry.

DC motors and installations tend to be more simplistic and less expensive in nature. Most DC motors will be in the range of 20,000 to 30,000 watts. One primary advantage of DC motors is that you can put the EV into overdrive, up to a factor of ten to one, for short durations of time. For example, a 20,000 watt motor will accept 100,000 watts for a short period of time while delivering five times its rated horsepower. This is a great feature for short bursts of acceleration. The only limitation with this technique, though, is that it builds up heat within the motor. Too much overdriving may lead the motor to heat up to the point where it may self-destruct.

The DC’s counterpart, the AC motor, allows the use of virtually any industrial three-phase AC motor. In terms of the installation, this makes for an easier process when finding a motor with a specific size, shape, or power.

Besides the motor, the most important component under the hood of an electric car is the battery by far. However, it is probably the weakest link of an EV. There are at least six major problems with current battery technology. For one, car batteries can be heavy: A typical lead-acid battery pack weights about 1,000 pounds.

They are also voluminous and take up a lot of room. Moreover, a typical battery has a limited capacity of 12 to 15 kilowatt hours of electricity, which gives its vehicle about 50 miles of range. Batteries have short life spans, perhaps three or four years with normal use. And, they are extremely expensive to repair and replace, with some lithium-ion batteries costing over $10,000.

Do you have any tips on maintaining the motor and battery of an electric car? How do you think EV engines compare to the internal combustion ones found in gas-powered vehicles?

There are numerous electric car motors out there. How do you know which one would be the best fit for your own electric vehicle? It’s important to balance out factors such as cost, availability, and the do-it-yourself factor, since you’ll be figuring out how to install it yourself or how to find the best professional to hire the job out to.

DC Series Wound Electric Car Motors

Starting off the list is a motor for cars that is, interestingly enough, also used for electric drills. The advantage of the DC Series is that it has a great amount of torque available to the driver starting at a complete stop. One setback of this type of motor, however, is that it’s not the best motor to use for extreme driving or hill climbing. It would be difficult to use Series motors in situations where speed is constant while the load varies.

Permanent Magnet DC Electric Motors

These are statistically the second most popular electric car motors in the market, after the DC Series. This statement should be taken with a grain of salt, however, as DC motors are known to be a bit on the noisier side because their brushes produce an electrical radio interference. PM motors, however, have no natural filtering. These motors are also extremely popular with bikes, motorcycles, scooters, and other smaller-scale modes of transport.

3-Phase AC Induction Motors

Completing this triad of car motors is the AC Induction motor, and it has been rated by car experts as one of the best and most efficient motors for electric vehicles, though it isn’t as popular since it’s more expensive. The 3-Phase AC runs on batteries, just like the DC motor does. An inverter, however, replaces the controller you can find in DC systems, and this what increases its retail value. With a 3-Phase AC Induction Motor, you can move heavier objects in your car and maneuver hills much more easily. Plus, the AC system treats your transmission a lot more gently than the other two above.

Depending on whether you prioritize costs, power, efficiency, or another factor, there is an ideal electric car motor for you. After considering three of the most popular, which one would you be interested in?