How electric cars work

Electric cars utilize batteries and an electric motor, while gas-powered cars have a gasoline tank and an internal combustion engine.

How do electric cars work?

Many automakers are accepting that electric vehicles (EVs) are the future. They’ve begun electrifying cars, or at least, taking steps in that direction. At the same time, more consumers are switching from gas-powered cars to EVs.

Related: Should I buy an electric car now or wait?

With all the news about electric cars and automakers releasing them, how exactly do they work?

Unlike gas-powered cars, electric cars don’t use gas or have an internal combustion engine (ICE).

Instead, they’re powered by fuel cells. Electric cars use an electric motor that’s powered by batteries. The controller is what takes the electricity from the battery pack and delivers it to the electric motor.

Related: Electric vehicles with the longest range

The electric motor is in charge of turning the wheels. Regardless of the type of EV you drive, you’ll feel that it’s powerful and quiet.

There are much fewer moving parts in an EV when you compare it to a car with an internal combustion engine.

Charging the battery

The battery supplies electricity, which powers the car. Therefore, it’s an essential part of an EV.

To charge the battery pack, you’ll use a charger and connect it to the charge port, which allows the car to connect to a power source.

An important aspect of charging electric cars is understanding battery capacity. It’s measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), and a larger capacity means it’ll take longer to charge.

Also, the type of charging and outlet that you use makes a difference.

With regular charging at home, you can use a 110-volt or 240-volt outlet. It’s recommended that you use a 240-volt outlet, which is also called Level 2 charging because it charges your car faster.

On average, electric cars take 4 to 12 hours to fully charge. However, you can also use fast chargers, which can charge up to 80% in 15 to 30 minutes.

Since an electric car needs to be plugged in to charge, your electricity bill will increase when you charge at home. If you compare the cost to gas, you’ll be happy you switched.

Related: How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

You can also charge your car at public charging stations. It may cost more to charge there compared to home charging. It’s there if you need it.

Regenerative braking

Regenerative braking is another way that hybrids and all-electric cars charge the battery.

When you decelerate and brake, it produces kinetic energy. The car stores that energy in the battery, which it uses as electricity for the electric motor.

Automakers also use a method called one-pedal driving. It allows the regenerative braking to stop and slow down the vehicle when you depress the pedal. To accelerate, you’ll press down on the pedal like normal.

The bottom line

Whether you love the thrill of the instant acceleration or want an EV because it doesn’t produce tailpipe emissions, there are many benefits of switching to an all-electric car. By understanding how they work, you can feel confident in purchasing one.

Featured image courtesy of Unsplash.