How electric cars work: everything you need to know

You probably already know that electric cars are more energy efficient than internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. However, other factors make them very different. How do they work and how do you make them as safe and efficient as possible?

How do electric cars work? 

Battery electric vehicles, sometimes called BEVs or simply electric vehicles, get their energy from lithium-ion batteries instead of gasoline or diesel. The battery powers the engine, drives the gears, and turns the wheels. Without alternators, carburetors, spark plugs, and fewer components overall, electric cars require less maintenance. As important as they are in their simplicity, they are examples of modern engineering and technology.

How are electric cars made? 

The frame and body of most electric cars are similar to the frame and body of an internal combustion engine (or ice) car. For this reason, many conventional car manufacturers have taken the initiative to make electric cars. However, more than 70% of the components inside an electric car may differ from similar components in a gasoline car.

The only moving part, the engine, should make electric cars easier and cheaper to produce. However, the lithium-ion battery, an important component of electric vehicles, requires valuable natural resources to manufacture and is one of the most complex mechanical parts of any vehicle on the road. It may be easier for manufacturers to ramp up production.

Currently, traditional car manufacturers share some aspects of the assembly line, such as painting and railroading internal combustion engine stations. Fortunately, manufacturers' switch to electric vehicles will free up space in factories, as fewer electric vehicle components will help increase production volumes. As demand for electric vehicles grows, it's important for manufacturers to keep up.

You may already know that electric cars are powered by the grid through electric vehicle charging stations located in homes, public places or private commercial spaces. Electric power is already a cleaner fuel than natural gas, since electric motors do not emit CO2 when running.

However, electric cars can be made even cleaner by using solar energy as a fuel source. For now, this electricity continues to flow into the power grid, supplying electric car charging stations and vehicles. Switching to solar energy has the potential to significantly reduce operating costs for electric vehicle owners and those who own and operate electric vehicle charging stations.

Sophisticated systems are changing the way we drive

Just as driving and maintaining an electric car is very different from driving an internal combustion engine car, driving an electric car is unlike anything you've ever experienced before. The smooth acceleration, the regenerative braking that slows down as soon as you take your foot off the gas, and the relief that can assist acceleration make it feel like a luxury car that costs less than a traditional luxury car.

Most electric cars have a range of up to 250 miles on a single charge, comparable to many internal combustion engines on today's roads. The ENERGY5 app will also find convenient electric car charging stations along the route if the battery is running low.