EV 101: How Do Electric Cars Work?
By John Bogna & Emily Dreibelbis
Eyeing a more environmentally friendly alternative to your gas-powered car? Electric vehicles are growing in popularity; here’s how they get you from point A to B.
With their smooth handling and fast acceleration, electric vehicles (EVs) are an appealing way to avoid high gas prices or mitigate the environmental impact of gas-powered vehicles. Their upfront cost might be higher than gas cars on average, but there are several models under $40,000, federal tax credits to soften the blow, and a steadily improving charging infrastructure to help quell range anxiety. But how do they actually work?
The Basics of Electric Cars
Unlike a typical internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle that runs on gas, EVs don’t require explosive combustion via burned fuel to generate the energy needed to move. Instead, they use electrical energy stored in their battery packs to turn the electric motor (or motors) connected to the wheels and drive the car forward. As such, EVs have fewer moving parts than a gas vehicle and generally require less maintenance (no oil changes).
There are several different types of vehicles that could qualify as EVs, from plug-in hybrids to fully battery-powered vehicles, and even hydrogen fuel cell-powered cars. While hybrids use a small amount of electricity, they are still generally considered gas-powered vehicles, though more efficient ones. We’ll focus specifically on how all-electric vehicles work here.
The Science Behind the Battery
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