Electric Cars Facts

Archive for the ‘Electric Cars Maintenance’ 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?

In virtually any green vehicle conversation, the electric car is sure to be a prominent topic. Here are a few popular frequently asked questions about EVs as well as their respective useful answers.

Are electric cars really more eco-friendly than gas-powered vehicles, hybrids, and hydrogen-fueled cars?

In general, yes. In order to run, electric vehicles must be charged with electricity, which may come from a coal-burning power plant. But even so, it’s more much environmentally friendly to control emissions on a single point of origin (the power plant) as opposed to the massive fleet of gas-guzzling vehicles on the road. Moreover, EVs can receive their electricity from renewable sources, including hydro-electric facilities and solar cells.

How far can an EV travel on a single charge?

This depends on the given model’s range. But, it’s typical for an electric car to be able to drive between 50 and 80 miles on one full charge. If you move a few notches on the EV hierarchy and purchase a Tesla electric sports car, the Model S will provide you with up to 300 miles on a single go.

How long with an electric car battery last me?

Again, this depends on the type of battery your EV uses. The most popular type of battery for electric cars is the lithium-ion battery, and this can last up to 10 years or longer. Lead acid batteries, which are common in the internal combustion engines of gas-powered cars, may not even last a full year.

Why are electric vehicles so pricey?

EVs are a fairly new presence in the automobile market. Each new model is often released in limited quantities, making the demand overwhelm the supply. This naturally spikes up the prices of electric cars. And, it’s also due to the fact that the most important component of an EV, the battery, is very expensive. Replacing one easily costs thousands of dollars.

Does it make financial sense to buy an EV instead of a “regular” car?

Right now, the pros and cons of each choice pretty much break even. Electric cars are more expensive than their traditional counterparts, but you’ll be spending a lot less on maintenance if you purchased one. Lithium ion batteries are expensive to uphold, but electricity is cheaper than gasoline and you’d be saving money on a per-mile basis. It also depends on where you live: California offers amazing tax incentives and rebates for consumers who purchase EVs.

So you’ve made the big decision to purchase or lease an electric car. One fundamental question you must now consider is whether or not your EV will be in the auto shop as much as the gas-guzzling sedan you just chucked.

Just like with a gas-powered car, you’ll have to find a reliable, honest mechanic that will commit the time and effort into keeping your EV in good condition at a fair price. Most automobile mechanics are trained in working with internal combustion engines and may be surprised to lift your hood and discover that there isn’t one. This means that you’ll probably have to take your electric car to the dealership for repair and tune-ups more often, unless you luckily find a great EV mechanic.

The motor of an electric car is much more simplistic and hassle-free than a regular vehicle. Thus, the dealership is going to find it difficult to charge you hefty prices when servicing a brand new EV because there’s not much that can be erroneous with it. An electric motor contains at most half a dozen parts, as compared to the hundreds of operational parts in an internal combustion engine. Bottom line: There’s not much an EV motor can wear out on itself, and when it does, it’s fairly easy to fix or replace.

According to some estimates by car experts, maintaining an electric car will cost about one-third the current cost of maintaining a gas-powered car. This isn’t to say, of course, that there will be wear-and-tear issues with your electric vehicle, just like any other car. And it’s important that you routinely check the interior, exterior, gauges, and under the hood to make sure everything is up and running.

The Tesla Roadster

But, not all is golden with EV maintenance. What you’ll have to keep your eye on the most is the battery. While it doesn’t require very much day-to-day maintenance on your part, it will gradually lose its ability to hold a charge. This is comparable to how cell phones and laptop computers slowly run out of battery no matter how well you handle your devices. Battery draining will begin right when you first turn on your EV, but the draining will be extremely slow in the beginning and eventually creep up in the vehicle’s later years. Electric car batteries don’t so much completely “die” as they fade away.

The typical lithium ion battery for an EV for most models will be in good condition for the first 100,000 miles of driving while maintaining a decent driving range. During these years, however, you might find yourself recharging your battery excessively, or taking your car to the dealership for some reason, or getting the battery replaced for an issue.

And that’s when your jaw will drop when you look at your battery bill. A battery package for the Nissan Leaf, for example, costs about $15,000. As an incentive for consumers to go green, the U.S. Department of Energy plans to bring down the cost of EV batteries by 70% by the year 2014.

Before buying any car, it’s important to learn about the basics of how it functions and what to do in case something happens. An electric car requires a lot less maintenance than a petroleum-fueled one. This is one of the most advantageous features of today’s EVs. However, it would be useful to keep the following bullet points in mind.

- Monitor the Battery

Arguably the most important component of electric vehicles is the battery. Check the battery connections on a routine basis and make sure that they are tight. Also, see that the terminals have no indication of corrosion. The water level should be at a proper level. If not, you can simply refill it with water yourself.

- Check the Tires

With any vehicle, tires and tire pressure are key to the safety and efficiency of your drive. Since tires are the four entities that bear the entire weight of the car, they are extremely important to your safety. Any time you fill up gas at the station or are waiting for your car to warm up, check to see that the tires are in great condition, with no signs of wear and tear. Also, apply pressure to each of the tires with your hands to see that the pressure is perfect.

*Note: When checking your tires, be sure to have a look at your spare tire too. It’s just as crucial as the other four tires in the event that you need to replace one.

Maintain the Brakes

- Just as important as the tires are your EV’s brakes. The standard rule is that the brakes should be checked by a professional after every 20,000 miles. If you maintain your vehicle well, then you won’t have to change the brake shoe until after 40,000 miles. It’s also helpful to give a general scan of your brakes for any signs of wear and tear.

Suspension Maintenance

- In general, suspension doesn’t require any maintenance on the owner’s part. This is unless the struts or shocks have to be replaced. Although a rare matter, a thorough check on your EV’s suspension will further ensure good performance from your car.

Hybrid cars require a bit more maintenance compared to EVs. With the former, you’ll have to check the engine oil routinely. If necessary, replace the oil or add more until it meets the required level. Similarly, regular checking of the vehicle’s transmission fluid is essential.

An electric vehicle is very unique compared to traditional cars that guzzle up a lot more gas. Because their technology and specifications are different, the way in which you maintain your EV must be different as well. Below are a few great tips for maintenance issues while you’re on the road.

If You Run Out of Electricity

As you reach the last portion of your charge, you’ll begin to notice a slight sluggishness to the car’s acceleration. Pull over and let the batteries rest and rejuvenate for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will recover at least some of the charge in the event of an emergency and will give you a mile or so. If things get really desperate, you can repeat this process until you reach the nearest charging station or your home, though it’s not recommended to do this often.

Your EV should have a gauge though, just like a gas gauge on a traditional car, so that you’ll get a heads up when you’re running low on power. Also, electric vehicles tend to be used for daily commutes and routine driving, so it’d be in your interest to calculate a general life span of your energy and to be sure that it’s always in check.

Climbing Hills

EVs are known for their torque, or power. Most can climb hills fairly well, but the only drawback is the distance in which it can stagger up steep inclines. A long, continuous climb puts a lot of stress on the motor and speed controller, so try to avoid doing this too much if possible. Your EV won’t overheat though. It would be your best bet to zigzag up a hill if you can instead of taking a straight yet steep hill directly up.

Miscellaneous EV Maintenance

The beauty of electric cars is that they require a substantially less amount of maintenance than your gas guzzling SUV or 10-year-old family sedan.

- Be sure to check the batteries once a month to make sure everything is in running condition. – -  – Confirm that the connections are clean and tight from time to time.

- Just like any other type of car, keep your tires properly inflated for good performance

- Maintain the clutch, brakes, and suspension as you normally would

- Don’t forget to change the brushes on the motor at your 80,000 mile mark too!