Yes, electric vehicles are motor vehicles. The main reason for the EV being motor is they have all the features that electric motors should have. In electric vehicles, one or two motors are used for propulsion. These motors can be charged in two ways
- By battery
- By collector system
The power of electric motors is measured in kilowatts (KW). On a more comprehensive RMP range, electric motors can deliver their maximum torque. Electric motors take power from the traction battery pack and run the vehicle wheels.
In some electric vehicles, electric motor-generators implement both the drive and regeneration functions said to the Alternative fuels data centre.
Electric Motor Types
The electric motors are the next big part besides the batteries that replace the internal combustion engine in electric vehicles according to circuit biggest.
The electric motors used in electric vehicles have high starting torque, high power density and good efficiency thanks to the Power electronics. Different types of electric motors used in electric vehicles are as follows
- Brushless DC Motors
- Three Phase AC Induction Motors
- DC Series Motor
- Switched Reluctance Motors (SRM)
- Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM)
DC Series Motor
DC motors are highly recognized due to their high starting torque, making them very appropriate for traction. It has easy speed control and can handle the sudden increase in load. This feature makes it very suitable for high traction; in the early 1900, it was mainly used for traction applications.
These motors also come with drawbacks; they have high maintenance due to brushes and commutator present in their infrastructure. The DC motors are used in Indian railways.
Brushless DC Motors
Brushless DC motors are also known as BLDC. BL motors said by Electrical 4 U. Brushless DC motor is called brushless motors because it does not have any brush arrangements and commutators. To control the speed and torque of the synchronous motor, motor windings obtain the pulse of current from the controller.
Due to the absence of the brushes, the energy lost in the form of mechanical energy due to friction is limited, which improves efficiency. Brushless DC motors (BLDC) can work at high speed under any condition. They are similar to DC motors having permanent magnets. Due to commutation being done electronically in BLDC, they are maintenance-free.
They have high starting power and high efficiency of 95-98%. Due to their high traction power and less maintenance, brushless DC motors are highly preferred in the electric vehicles industry.
BLDC motors have further two types
- Out-runner type BLDC motor
- In-runner type BLDC motor
Three-phase AC induction Motor
3-phase Ac induction motors have many advantages, such as less complex rugged design, less maintenance, and low cost, making them suitable for the electric vehicle’s application.
Under fixed voltage and frequency operation, the 3-phase AC induction motors do not have high starting torque compared to DC series motors said to ElProCus. The AC induction motors have an increased life span due to less maintenance. It can be designed to provide 92-95% of efficiency. The Ac induction motors have proved their high performance in Tesla Model S and Mahindra Reva e20.
Switched Reluctance Motor (SRM)
Switched reluctance motors run by reluctance torque; they are simple in a robust construction. These motors (SRM) are also known as variable reluctance motors. Switch reluctance motors are gaining popularity in the vehicle and wind energy industry.
The main reason behind its popularity is its high-speed operation ability, rugged and simple construction, fault tolerance, and high-temperature insensitivity, said Linquip.
Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM)
Permeant magnetic synchronous motors are similar to BLDC motors as it has permanent magnets on the rotor. PMSM has traction qualities, I.e., high power density and high efficiency. It is identical to the BLDC motors expect the characteristic that BLDC have trapezoidal back EMF while PMSM has sinusoidal back EMF.
PMSM is available for high power rating suitable for EVS; PMSM is widely used in EVs and hybrid vehicles. According to Farnell. they are commonly used in EVs, I.e., Toyota Prius, Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt EV, etc.
Is Tesla a Motor Vehicle?
Tesla launched in 2003 intending to build a vehicle that would run on electricity. The company’s first vehicle, the tesla roadster, was released in 2008. The model S came out in 2012, followed by the Model X SUV and the more affordable Model 3 sedan.
The question is simple: Are these vehicles motor vehicles? I think so. Tesla builds electric vehicles; they are motor vehicles. They are not spaceships; they are not used for space travel.
Misconception
This is a common misconception among those who have recently learned about Tesla and heard of the brand’s founder Elon Musk, who also created SpaceX (a company that makes rockets).
So, are Teslas motor vehicles? Yes, they are absolutely motor vehicles. They have four wheels, an engine, and brakes. You can put them in a garage or park them in your driveway like any other vehicle.
If you want to know what a Tesla is, think about how it drives and how it works not to mention all the other cool stuff that makes a Tesla special. Then compare it to what a motor vehicle is supposed to be. So, Tesla is a motor vehicle said electric.
How are Electric Vehicles Classified?
There are many kinds of electric vehicles. They each have their own way of storing electricity and converting it into motion.
Battery-Powered Electric Vehicles (BEV)
These vehicles use a battery as the primary energy storage source onboard the vehicle. The power generated by these batteries varies widely depending on factors like weight, size, and type of vehicle. However, typically, they create less than 100 kilowatts (kW).
A BEV uses an electric motor to convert stored chemical potential energy into mechanical work, which moves wheels connected directly or indirectly via driveshaft.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVS) use both internal combustion engines (ICE) along with one or more electric motors for propulsion or auxiliary power functions such as air conditioning or cabin heating/cooling systems. That may require significant amounts of electricity during operation.
If it is not always powered by an ICE like traditional automobiles do today due to lackluster performance compared against ICEs equipped with turbochargers etc. Therefore, taking advantage when possible while minimizing wastefulness when not needed any longer.
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) have batteries that can also be charged from power outlets and have a gas engine that can recharge the battery as needed.
These vehicles are good options for drivers who expect their daily commutes to exceed their vehicle’s ranges and don’t have time for long stops at charging stations during their trips.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)
They are zero-emission vehicles running on the fuel cell technology to produce electricity to run the electric vehicle, said to e-Amrit. Electrical energy is obtained directly by the conversion of fuel to mechanical energy.
Examples of fuel cell electric vehicles are Hyundai Tucson FCEV, Hyundai Nexo, River simple Rasa, Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, etc.
What is an Electric Vehicle Called?
An electric vehicle is also known as an EV, which stands for “”Electric Vehicle””. Electric vehicles are powered by electricity stored in batteries and produce zero emissions. They use the same roads and highways as ICE vehicles do.
Electric/Hybrid Vehicles Engine
There is no such engine concept in electric vehicles that entirely run-on electricity rather than ICE vehicles that run on fossil fuel and need the engine to run vehicles. In electric vehicles, motors have been used instead of engines that draw their power from the rechargeable batteries.
There are no such clutches, gearboxes, exhaust pipes or pipes usually found in ICE vehicles integrated with engines; that’s why EVs are pretty silent. Due to electric motors, the life span of EVs is much higher than that of ICE vehicles, which are considered 30,000 hours of operation.
The working frame of integrated motors used in EVs instead of the engine is that they obtain their charge from controllers, which in turn receive their charge from rechargeable batteries.
How do Electric Vehicles Work?
Above is the working mechanism of electric vehicles Stay tuned to vehicle ambassador for an entire blog on how electric vehicles work.