How Electric Cars Work

By: Rob Adams
Staff Writer
Published: Jul 12, 2009

Articles - Plug In Electric Cars Require Lithium-ion Batteries

Scientists and engineers are inventing new batteries using what's called lithium-ion chemistry to power electric automobiles. These new developments are remarkable and have the potential to provide consumers a driving range of up to 150 miles on a charge. However, how you drive the electric vehicle depends on the range.

How Battery Packs Work

Batteries are the greatest obstacle to the proliferation of electric vehicles (EVs). Electric automobiles require a lot of batteries, which must be installed in an array and housed in a battery pack. Batteries consist of two electrodes immersed in an electrolyte that reacts chemically to generation electric current.

Electric Cars Reduce Foreign Oil Dependency

Electric power provides several advantages including zero emissions and reducing our dependency for foreign oil. The batteries in these vehicles can take a simple charge from any standard wall outlet. Consumers who buy the automobiles will save money at the pump.

Hybrid vehicles have electric components, but they still use a small combustion engine. This engine serves as a generator to keep the battery pack charged. It is also used to power the car when faster acceleration is needed.

Plug-In Battery Charging Stations

Charging your electric car nightly will take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours. Plug in battery charging stations are currently available in some major cities with a subscription service. This type of service is rapidly growing as more cities and local counties adopt this new program.

Chargers are generally designed for specific cell chemistries, although newer universal chargers have a sensor built in that identify the cell type and react appropriately. There are also smart chargers that use a microprocessor to monitor temperature, voltage and state of charge , which is the percentage of power available in comparison to its full capacity. Most automakers have been testing new charging techniques for years.

Future Plug-In Vehicles

Toyota plans to convert its Prius model as a plug in vehicle in 2011. Ford will join the electric plug in revolution by releasing a new version of the Fusion Hybrid in 2011. General Motors is currently building a new fleet of electric vehicles as well as the upcoming Chevy Volt.