Are you new to electric cars? The following list of 5 electric vehicle concepts and terminology can help you out!
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more and more well-liked on a global scale. New models are being released every week, and more automakers are expanding their product portfolios to include EVs. Many queries for new potential EV owners who are interested in buying one of their own arise with this boom in EVs on the market. What distinguishes a PHEV from a BEV? What do kWh and kW mean? How is your new EV recharged? How much time does it take for your EV to charge? To help you better comprehend EV terminology, we’ll try to explain some of these terms and concepts.
What distinguishes a KW from a KWH? First, some background information about kilowatts (kW) and kilowatt-hours (kWh). James Watt was a little boy when he was born in Scotland in the year 1736. James, a Scottish mechanical engineer, inventor, and chemist, created the Watt steam engine in 1776 as an upgrade to Thomas Newcomen’s 1712 Newcomen steam engine. James introduced the idea of horsepower and the SI unit of power to the globe. As a result, the word “watt” was given to him. Now that you are aware of a few interesting historical tidbits about the word “watt,” what distinguishes a kW from a kWh?
A kW (kilowatt) is a unit of power measurement equal to 1000 watts. When referring to electric vehicles (EVs), the unit kW is used to indicate how much power can be supplied to the vehicle during charging or how much power the motor can produce. Basically, power is the pace of energy production or consumption.
Energy is measured in kWhs (kilowatt-hours), which you may find on your electricity bill. Typically, the amount of energy kept in the EV battery is expressed in kWh. A measurement of the amount of “fuel” that something contains or consumes over a given length of time is known as energy.
An example of the phrase used to describe a gas-powered vehicle’s engine would be “4.0L 6-cylinder engine with 150 horsepower.” For instance, one might state that an electric car has a 100 kWh battery and an 87 kW motor. EVs come in a wide range of models, just like gas-powered vehicles. For instance, the Tesla Model 3 Performance has two motors with a combined power of 377 kW, compared to the Fiat 500e’s 87 kW motor.
So, when you talk about kWh, you are talking about how much energy can be stored in it. The quantity of power produced by the motor is what is meant when you talk about kW. Therefore, you would state you got “X” number of miles on a single charge — from the kWh in your battery — rather than “X” number of miles on a tank of gas. A automobile with a 50 kWh useable battery could provide 10 kW of power continuously for five hours before running out of juice.
REGENERATIVE BRAKING: WHAT IS IT?
EV drivers tend to choose regenerative braking, commonly known as “regen,” which makes sense given that it recovers energy that would otherwise be fully wasted. Then, how does this operate? The electric vehicle’s motor produces electricity by reducing the speed of the vehicle. In essence, it involves converting the kinetic energy of the moving vehicle into chemical energy that is stored in the battery.
For the diver, it is incredibly easy. The motor starts to slow down the vehicle and start recharging the battery as soon as you let up on the gas pedal. This method totally differs from how a conventional combustion engine operates. With a gas-powered car, friction is created as the brakes press on the brake discs, slowing the car down while wasting all of that valuable energy.
Regen braking captures a large portion of that energy and returns it to the battery. Some EVs allow the driver to customize the regen level to their preferences.
WHAT IS AN ICE CAR, PHEV, OR BEV? Battery electric vehicle is what the abbreviation “BEV” means. In a BEV, the battery contains all of the energy required to propel the vehicle. To get these kinds of cars moving, they will need to be charged.
PHEV, or “plug-in hybrid electric vehicle,” is the official name. This kind of car combines an electric motor and a combustion engine. They can be used in electric or gasoline mode. They can be plugged in as well to charge the battery. They typically have significantly smaller batteries than BEVs, therefore their range on electricity alone is usually only 25 to 45 miles.
“Internal combustion engine” is what the abbreviation ICE means. Typically, it refers to the recognized basic gasoline and diesel vehicles. Internal combustion engines are what move those autos by burning fuel.
HOW TO PRACTICE CHARGING AND HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Let’s first go over some fundamentals when discussing charging an EV. An electric vehicle (EV) can be charged using either an AC or a DC power source.
The term “AC” refers to alternating current. Slower AC charging often takes place at home or in parking spaces with designated charge outlets and ranges from 7kW to 19kW. You may alternatively use a standard residential AC outlet to charge your EV for roughly 1-2kW, which is considerably slower charging but acceptable for many EV owners, including Zachary Shahan, CEO and Editor in Chief of CleanTechnica.
Direct current is referred to as DC. The average charging rate used for this is 50 kW, 150 kW, 250 kW, or even 350 kW. Older EVs like the Nissan LEAF only drew up to 48 kW, but some contemporary EVs like the Rimac Nevera, Lucid Air, and Hummer EV can draw more than 300 kW!
The market divides EV charging rates into three categories: Levels 1 and 2, which both use AC charging, and Level 3, which uses DC charging.
LEVEL 1 The 120-volt (120V) household AC outlet is used to offer charging for Level 1 equipment, the slowest charging option. A level 1 recharge increases your driving range by around 3–4 miles per hour.
LEVEL 2 Through 240V (for residential uses) or 208V (for commercial applications) electrical service, level 2 equipment provides charging. Home, hotel, workplace, park, and shopping center charging are all commonplace. In an hour, level 2 chargers can increase a vehicle’s range by 15 to 30 miles. (Take note that the majority of people travel less than 40 miles daily.)
Fast direct current charging (DCFC) Direct current fast charging technology, which is the fastest option, permits quick charging at stations situated along busy roads. A BEV may be charged to 80% with DCFC equipment in just 15 to 60 minutes.
HOW MUCH RANGING CAN AN EV GO? So, how far can EVs travel? That, of course, relies on a variety of variables, including your driving style. The size of the battery and the effectiveness with which the vehicle utilises that energy determine the range of an EV. For instance, an SUV with a battery the same size will have a shorter range than a light, aerodynamic EV.
The Worldwide Harmonized Lightweight Vehicle Test Procedure, or WLTP for short, is a common testing cycle for EVs. This puts the EV through a series of tests to find out how far it can go on the amount of stored energy in the battery. For instance, the Mazda MX-30 has a 30 kWh battery and a WLTP range of 200 km (124 miles). With a 75 kWh battery, the WLTP range of the Tesla Model 3 Long Range is 614 km (382 miles).
It’s important to keep in mind that the WLTP test cycle might occasionally be overly ambitious. Although it is theoretically possible to go above the WLTP range, actual driving conditions make this unlikely. For instance, even though the Tesla Model 3 has a range of over 373 miles per charge, it’s more likely to travel between 280 and 310 miles.
The driving style, environment, and other factors all affect an EV’s range. Driving slower can significantly extend your range, whereas driving faster will significantly shorten it.
Origin: The AA
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