There are four types of electric vehicles available:
System Architecture of 4 types of electric cars is as follows:
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)
BEVs are also known as All-Electric Vehicles (AEV). Electric Vehicles using BEV technology run entirely on a battery-powered electric drivetrain. The electricity used to drive the vehicle is stored in a large battery pack which can be charged by plugging into the electricity grid. The charged battery pack then provides power to one or more electric motors to run the electric car. To find out more about BEVs, click below.
Main Components of BEV:
Electric motor, Inverter, Battery, Control Module, Drive train
Working Principles of BEV:
The power for the electric motor is converted from the DC Battery to AC. As the accelerator is pressed, a signal is sent to the controller. The controller adjusts the speed of the vehicle by changing the frequency of the AC power from the inverter to the motor. The motor then connects and leads to the turning of wheels through a cog. If the brakes are pressed, or the electric car is decelerating, the motor becomes an alternator and produces power, which is sent back to the battery
Examples of BEV:
MG ZS, TATA Nexon, TATA Tigor, Mahindra E20 plus, Hyundai Kona, Mahindra Verito
Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV):
HEVs are also known as series hybrid or parallel hybrid. HEVs have both engine and electric motor. The engine gets energy from fuel, and the motor gets electricity from batteries. The transmission is rotated simultaneously by both engine and electric motor. This then drives the wheels. To find out more about HEVs, click below.
Main Components of HEV:
Engine, Electric motor, Battery pack with controller & inverter, Fuel tank, Control module
Working Principles of HEV:
The fuel tank supplies energy to the engine like a regular car. The batteries run on an electric motor. Both the engine and electric motor can turn the transmission at the same time.
Examples of HEV:
Engine, Electric motor, Battery pack with controller & inverter, Fuel tank, Control module
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV):
The PHEVs are also known as series hybrids. They have both engine and a motor. You can choose among the fuels, conventional fuel (such as petrol) or alternative fuel (such as bio-diesel). It can also be powered by a rechargeable battery pack. The battery can be charged externally. To find out more about PHEVs, click below.
PHEVs can run in at least 2 modes:
Main Components of PHEV:
Electric motor, Engine, Inverter, Battery, Fuel tank, Control module, Battery Charger (if onboard model)
Working Principles of PHEV:
PHEVs start-up in all-electric mode and make use of electricity until their battery pack is depleted. Once the battery gets drained, the engine takes over, and the vehicle operates as a conventional, non-plug-in hybrid. PHEVs can be charged by plugging into an outside electric power source, engine, or regenerative braking. When brakes are applied, the electric motor acts as a generator, using the energy to charge the battery. The engine’s power is supplemented by the electric motor; as a result, smaller engines can be used, increasing the car’s fuel efficiency without compromising performance.
Examples of PHEV:
Porsche Cayenne S E-Hybrid, BMW 330e, Porsche Panamera S E-hybrid, Chevy Volt, Chrysler Pacifica, Ford C-Max Energi, Mercedes C350e, Mercedes S550e, Mercedes GLE550e, Mini Cooper SE Countryman, Ford Fusion Energi, Audi A3 E-Tron, BMW i8, BMW X5 xdrive40e, Fiat 500e, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Volvo XC90 T8.
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle(FCEV):
FCEVs are also known as Zero-Emission Vehicles. They employ ‘fuel cell technology’ to generate the electricity required to run the vehicle. The chemical energy of the fuel is converted directly into electric energy. To find out more about FCEVs, click below.
Main Components of FCEV:
Electric motor, Fuel-cell stack, Hydrogen storage tank, battery with converter and controller
Working Principles of FCEV:
The FCEV generates the electricity required to run this vehicle on the vehicle itself.
Examples of FCEV:
Toyota Mirai, Riversimple Rasa, Hyundai Tucson FCEV, Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, Hyundai Nexo.