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Removing the need for human effort for traveling long distances has become a dream of many people who, especially in big cities are always looking for ways to reduce their carbon emissions. Electric vehicles (EVs) offer just that. They have taken on a new meaning as they become accessible to society. The article discusses the basics of how an EV works and also looks at how it can save you money while still offering reliable transportation.
Electric vehicles refer to vehicles which run on electricity-powered motors, not gasoline-powered engines. They use high speed electric motors instead of power plants like combustion engines do. EVs do not rely on oxygen from gasoline, which is highly-flammable. Gasoline is mostly used for powering vehicles that travel long distances.
What Are Electric Vehicles and How Do They Work?
Electric vehicles have similar components to internal-combustion (IC) engines but they are electric motors. Converting electricity into mechanical energy by means of a condenser, motor and generator constitutes the electrical energy harvesting part of the EV system. It uses rechargeable batteries to store that electric energy as well as a DC power supply to run its components.
Are Electric Vehicles Environmentally Friendly?
EVs do not emit harmful gases and they do not require certain pollutants (i.e. oil) to be poured into the environment. They are also efficient in that their power is conserved or their kinetic energy is captured for future use when braking.
Using electricity instead of gasoline for powering the vehicle does have its downsides. Electricity has to be produced from other sources which have a huge carbon footprint, like coal and natural gas. Also, EVs produce large amounts of electricity and their batteries are specifically designed to store that energy for later use, so they can pose a fire hazard in certain situations.
Who Invented the Electric Car?
The electric vehicle has been around for more than a century. Thomas Davenport, an American electrical engineer, created the first functional model of an electric car in 1834. He was one of the pioneers in electrical engineering (Chapman, 1993). He invented a primary battery that used a voltaic pile made up of 15 pairs of zinc and copper plates separated by pieces of leather soaked in a salt solution. The device was capable of carrying enough energy to create sparks and heat when connected to poles while having the ability to run small motors. This invention is considered as one of the breakthroughs in transportation engineering since it was first able to demonstrate how energy can be stored and used.
Who Invented the First Electric Car?
Étienne Lenoir, a mechanical engineer and a Belgian inventor, created the first commercially-made electric car in 1882. He used a high-speed internal combustion engine which was connected to an electric generator. The electricity produced gave his vehicle the power to drive at about 12 km/h (7.5 mph) for about 60 minutes until its batteries completely discharged (Guilbert, 2012). The vehicle was basically a bicycle that was fitted with an engine. However, it had electro-magnets which were used to switch on and off the gas engine.
What Types of Electric Vehicles Are There?
There are several different types of electric vehicles. Some are designed to be used primarily for personal use or for transportation. They have the ability to run relatively quietly and the noise produced does not disturb their surroundings. These could be used to cruise around in the city, for getting from place to another, or going on longer trips. This type of electric vehicle is also perfect for leisure activities as it offers easy-going transportation.
Also some types of EVs are specifically designed to go very far. They can do long distance traveling. One type of such vehicle is the hybrid car and another is the plug-in car which can be recharged by means of a charger. The latter is best suited for traveling long distances. One of the biggest problems with hybrid cars has been their short range and slow charging capabilities. However, with recent advancements in technology, many of them are now more efficient in terms of energy usage and charging times.
What Are Some Benefits of Electric Vehicles?
The benefits of EV vary depending on the type and the driving conditions. For instance, when it comes to personal use, there are several advantages. For example, EVs do not pollute the environment as much as conventional cars do because they do not rely on combustion processes. This helps reduce carbon emissions. Also, there is no need to buy gasoline. As a result, your vehicle’s lifespan can be increased as well as the time it takes to refuel. Moreover, EVs are quiet and do not disturb their surroundings too much, especially when compared to IC engines that are loud and noisy.
The biggest benefit of EVs is that they are easy-going in terms of driving. They do not require expensive maintenance and repairs like IC engines do. This makes the operation cost of EVs lower than that of traditional cars (Friedman, 2017). When you drive an EV you can also save money on gas and oil since you will not have a gas tank or oil filter to worry about replacing regularly.