Auto Expo 2020-How Does EV Car Battery Works?

Electric vehicle generates zero emission

Every ‘all-electric’ vehicle runs only on an electric motor instead of a typical internal combustion engine (ICE). The engine bay is occupied by the electric motor, whereas the battery unit is mostly located beneath the floor. Rest other mechanical details of the electric car remain the same. With the ICE engine gone, the maintenance of EV becomes very affordable as you do not have to worry about spark plugs, filters, oil changes and other frequent expenses. Let us have a look at what are the basic elements that constitute an EV and how do they function.

Basic components of an EV

There are three basic components in an electric vehicle – Energy Storage Unit (Battery), Controller and Propulsion system (electric motor).

Energy Storage Unit (Battery)

The energy storage unit keeps energy ready to be deployed whenever required by the controller. Usually, a chemical battery is the most commonly used energy storing unit in electric vehicles. These batteries power everything in your vehicle including headlights, infotainment units and other battery-run functions of a conventionally fuelled car. Made up of lithium-ion cells, the battery pack has a coolant running in between to help with overheating.

Controller

To propel the electric vehicle or EV, the electric motor is supplied energy from the controller, which decides on the amount of energy to be released based on the input received from the accelerator pedal by the driver. It acts as a gateway to the electric motor. Being the brain of the system, the controller not only moderates the power it also converts it from DC (Direct Current) to AC (Alternating Current). Moreover, it possesses the rights to increase or decrease the amperage as well apart from other functions. 

Propulsion system (electric motor)

The electric energy is finally transformed into workable force by the electric motor, which moves the wheels of the vehicle. These induction motors work flawlessly at any speed range beating the conventional engines which have restricted torque and efficiency. This is the reason why internal combustion engines require frequent gear shifts to remain in a specific power band, unlike EVs where the power band doesn’t drop, hence multiple gear shifting is not required.

Key elements of an EV

Regenerative Braking

Most electric vehicles have the option of regenerative braking. It is a significant element which helps save you money further by sending the energy, created during application of brakes, to the battery for future use. While decelerating, regenerative braking allows the EV to recharge by using an induction motor as a generator. When the wheels and drivetrain rotate faster than the motor, it turns into a generator.

Charging

Charging the electric vehicles is quite simple and you can get it charged even from the socket (120-volt) at your home. However, some electric cars require specific equipment such as a 240-volt plug, which needs to be installed by a professional. Apart from range issues, the other major downside with electric cars is the time required for charging. The budget cars in India require at least 8-11 hours to get completely charged. Although some are offered with fast charging option to juice up the batteries by 80 per cent in 3-4 hours.

The electric vehicle car battery technology is evolving at a rapid pace. We hope we would be able to see more electric cars coming in the Indian market with affordable tag and longer ranges. Currently, Hyundai Kona, Tata Tigor EV, Mahindra E2O Plus and Mahindra eVerito are offered as an all-electric vehicle.