Electric Vehicle (EV)

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What is an Electric Vehicle (EV)?

The definition of an electric vehicle (EV) is a vehicle powered by an electric motor that draws power from rechargeable batteries. Fully electric vehicles, known as battery electric vehicles (BEVs), do not have a gasoline engine and rely solely on a battery pack that is recharged from electrical grid power sources. EVs that use both an electric motor powered by a battery and an internal combustion engine are referred to as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). PHEVs run on electricity stored in the battery and switch to the gasoline engine when needed.

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Worldwide, electric vehicles account for around 18% of all cars sold in 2023, driven in part by policies, regulations, and lifestyles aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. BEVs produce no direct tailpipe emissions, but overall GHG impact depends on the source of electricity used for charging.

What is an Electric Vehicle

Key Takeaways

  • Electric vehicles account for around 18% of all cars sold in 2023.
  • Fully electric vehicles, known as battery electric vehicles (BEVs), do not have a gasoline engine.
  • Lithium-ion batteries are commonly used in all-electric vehicles.
  • Regenerative braking systems capture energy during braking to recharge the battery.
  • Compared to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, EVs generally produce fewer GHG emissions.

How Does an Electric Vehicle Work?

What are electric cars, and how do they work? EVs store energy in a battery pack that powers the electric motor, which moves the wheels. The battery is rechargeable and is connected to a charging station to receive energy. In simple terms, think of the electricity as the fuel, the rechargeable battery as the fuel tank, and the electric motor as the engine. Instead of pumping gas to power the vehicle, the battery is recharged using electricity.

EVs use lithium-ion batteries – the same type of batteries that power today’s smartphones and laptops, only much larger. These batteries need to provide adequate range, meaning they must store enough energy to allow the car to travel long distances before it needs to be recharged.

To recharge the battery, a charge plug connects the car’s charge port to an external power source, converting the electricity into a usable format. EVs can be charged using AC (alternating current) from a regular home outlet or DC (direct current) used at fast charging stations.

Key Components of an Electric Car

Components of an All-Electric Car

Auxiliary battery
Powers the dashboard and other electronics.
Battery pack
Stores electricity to run the vehicle’s motor.
Charge port
Connects to an external power source to recharge the battery.
DC/DC converter
Converts high-voltage power to low voltage.
Electric motor(s)
Converts electricity into power for various vehicle functions.
Electric vehicle control unit (VCU)
Manages overall vehicle operation.
Onboard charger
Converts electricity into battery power.
Power inverter
Converts battery power into usable electricity for the motor.
Regenerative braking system
Captures energy during braking to recharge the battery.
Thermal system
Manages operating temperatures to prevent overheating.
Traction battery pack
cStores electricity for the electric traction motor.
Traction motor
Provides power to drive the vehicle’s wheels.
Transmission
Transfers power from the motor to the wheels.

Types of Electric Vehicles


Types of electric cars include the following:

Fully electric vehiclesHybrid electric vehicles
  • Battery electric vehicles (BEVs)
  • Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs)
  • Solar Electric Vehicles (SEVs)
  • Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)
  • Mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEV)
  • Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)

EV Charging

Levels of Charging

Fully electric BEVs require electricity to charge the battery. Chargers are classified according to the time it takes to recharge the battery and the type of chargers.

  • Level 1 charging uses a regular 120 V outlet.
  • Level 2 is a 240 V charger, typically found in parking lots and workplaces, although some EV owners may install a Level 2 system at home.
  • What is fast charging for EVs? This is a Level 3, and it uses direct current (DC) to charge the battery much faster than using an electrical outlet. This type of charging is found at commercial charging stations and typically requires payment to use.

Different Types of EV Chargers

Level 1 EV charger (AC) Level 2 EV charger (AC) Level 3 EV charger (DC)
Uses a standard 120V charger Uses 240V charger Uses DC fast charger (480V)
Can be plugged into a regular household outlet Often installed at home, in parking lots, and workplaces Primarily located at public charging stations.
Adds about 6-8 km (4-5 miles) of range per hour of charging Adds about 16-48 km (10-30 miles) of range per hour of charging Adds up to 32 km (20 miles) of range per minute charged (or 250+ km of range per hour of charging)
Takes about 24 hours to fully charge Can fully charge in 4-10 hours (typically overnight) Can fully charge in 20 minutes to 1 hour
Most accessible option, but very slow for daily or long-distance use Practical for daily charging Typically used while traveling, not commonly used at home due to infrastructure and cost

Pros and Cons of EVs

Pros
  • EVs generally produce fewer GHG emissions
  • Lower maintenance costs
  • No tailpipe emissions
  • Regenerative braking helps recharge the battery
Cons
  • Battery range may vary and degrade over time
  • Charging infrastructure varies by region
  • Higher upfront costs
  • Shorter driving range compared to gas vehicles

Future of EVs

BEV and PHEV Sales by Region

The future of EVs plays an important role in meeting global zero-emission targets, with further growth projected worldwide. According to an EV Volumes report, the number of EVs in operation worldwide reached 40 million by the end of 2023​.

Three emerging technologies in EVs include:

Inductive charging
Wireless charging removes the need to plug EVs in to charge.
Ultra-fast charging
350 kW or higher power levels can charge an EV in minutes.
Solid-state batteries
Offers faster charging and improved safety.

The Bottom Line

The electric vehicles definition is an electric vehicle, powered by an electric motor using rechargeable batteries. EVs generally produce fewer GHG emissions and contribute to global sustainability efforts. Many countries encourage the phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles through regulations and incentives to promote consumer adoption of emission-free cars.

Fully electric vehicles eliminate tailpipe emissions and rely solely on rechargeable batteries, while plug-in hybrids combine battery power with a gasoline engine. As of 2023, EVs made up 18% of global car sales. Emerging technologies, such as inductive wireless charging, ultra-fast chargers, and solid-state batteries, are making EVs more efficient and safe for consumers.

FAQs

What is an electric vehicle in simple terms?

What are the three types of electric vehicles?

What are the benefits of electric vehicles?

Does an EV car take gas?

What is regenerative braking in electric vehicles?

How long does it take to charge an electric vehicle?

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Vangie Beal
Technology Expert
Vangie Beal
Technology Expert

Vangie Beal is a digital literacy instructor based in Nova Scotia, Canada, who has recently joined Techopedia. She’s an award-winning business and technology writer with 20 years of experience in the technology and web publishing industry. Since the late ’90s, her byline has appeared in dozens of publications, including CIO, Webopedia, Computerworld, InternetNews, Small Business Computing, and many other tech and business publications. She is an avid gamer with deep roots in the female gaming community and a former Internet TV gaming host and games journalist.