Electric Cars Facts

Posts Tagged ‘battery’

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?

All-electric and hybrid vehicles reduce the reliance on petroleum and reduce the emissions of pollutants. However, some studies have been conducted to evaluate whether there are hidden energy and resource costs in the manufacturing of these “green” cars that could result in more damage to the environment than in the case with gas-powered cars.

If such manufacturing damage exists, it probably lies within the battery. All vehicles on the road have batteries, but cars with an internal combustion engine have significantly more compact ones compared to the massive collection of battery cells required for EVs. This is because the battery power needs to sufficiently supply the motor in order to keep the car in motion while driving.

Take the Toyota Prius as an example. It uses a battery technology called nickel-metal hydride (NiMH). As the name implies, it’s based on the element nickel, which is considered a carcinogen. In order for manufacturers to use nickel to produce the battery in the first place, extensive mining must be done. This process is energy intensive, dangerous to the health of miners, and generates cancer-causing pollution. Not a very eco-friendly sounding procedure than what most people would think.

The good news, however, is that most popular EV models in the market today don’t use nickel-metal hydride batteries at all. Instead, the big name in electric car batteries is the lithium ion (Li-ion) battery, an advanced technology that is much more environmentally conscious than NiMH. Lithium mining is substantially less hazardous than other kinds of mineral extraction, including nickel.

All in all, electric motors are much more efficient than gasoline-powered cars. It would be useful to also think about other ways our daily routines have polluting effects, such as not replacing incandescent light bulbs with CFLs, using plasma TVs, and unnecessarily using hair dryers and heaters. Perhaps the next green technology to focus on is personal solar panels or even wind turbines.

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.

Q: Will my current car insurer cover my new electric car?

A: Most car insurance companies nowadays offer coverage for hybrid cars. However, not very many mainstream providers offer a premium package for fully electric vehicles. As EVs become increasingly popular, this will most likely change in the next couple of years. For now, it’s recommended to seek coverage through a specialist, such as the company PlugInsure.

Q: Ok then, who insures my car’s battery?

A: This depends on the insurance policy you have. Some electric car owners lease their batteries, but experts argue against this, saying that it makes your insurance plan more unnecessarily complex. Instead, talk directly to your insurance company to establish a deal. Your battery is probably the most valuable asset of your EV, so be sure to know who is taking care of it so you won’t have to worry about costs if something happens.

Q: Is it cheaper to insure an electric car than other vehicles?

A: At this point, yes. The U.S. government in particular is offering grants of up to $7,500 for consumers who purchase an electric car. However, you’ll also have to take into consideration that electric cars require specialist repair work since they are fairly new to the market. It is highly recommended that you obtain a variety of car insurance quotes as you do your EV research. In London, for example, EVs are exempt from vehicle tax and congestion charges. The same may very well apply to states in the U.S., especially those with many heavily populated cities.

Q: Should I even purchase an electric car with all of these different car insurance traits?

A: If maintained correctly, electric cars will save you a whole lot of money because they are cheaper to run. While most travel a distance of 40 to 70 miles before requiring a recharge, the federal government is currently offering huge subsidies and incentives for those who’d like to invest in an EV. You would be also making a significant effort in fostering an eco-friendly society.