How Do Electric Cars Work

By Author: Insurance Hunter
Total Articles: 15
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Electric cars continue to become a more popular option with consumers. They are both environmentally friendly and are more efficient when it comes to fuel consumption. Based on the design and look of a car, it is difficult to tell if a car is electric on not. While you drive electric cars in the same way that you would drive a normal car, one look under the hood will show you just how different these cars are.

How electric cars vary from gas powered cars

There are a few key ways that electric cars vary from their traditional counterparts. They include:

They have an electric motor rather than a gas powered motor
Power for the motor is generated from a controller
The controller gets its power from a battery, which is rechargeable and can be recharged by plugging it into an electrical outlet.

Variations of the electric car

There are a number of styles of electric cars that are available to consumers. While they all work in a very similar fashion, their dependence on electric energy varies. The options include:

1. Hybrid plug in: ...
... This relies on a special battery and is charged by plugging the motor into an outlet to generate power.

2. Full hybrid engine: These cars fully rely on the electric motor.

3. Partial Hybrid: This car uses a motor and a generator together, which allows the engine to disengage when stopping or coasting and then restarting when power is needed.

4. Muscle Hybrid: These cars have both a traditional engine and electric motor. This is ideal for people that want increased power and performance from their hybrid car.

How do electric cars function?

Since hybrid cars are reliant on electricity as their main power source, they operate much differently from traditional combustion engine vehicles. Here is an overview of they work:

The cars main power source is electricity rather than gas
The car is powered via an electric motor through a controller and battery
Electric car motors do not need oil and do not need regular tunes ups
The battery is recharged when the vehicle is breaking, coasting, or when it is not engaged. Recharging of the battery relies on a process called regenerative braking. Therefore, it relies on things like the momentum that is generated by the car motor itself to recharge the battery.

The benefits of electric cars

When compared to other cars, there are a number of benefits to consumers. While hybrids are more expensive to purchase then a comparable gas powered car, the benefits are seen in its operation. They include:

They are more efficient
You will spend less on gas
They are environmentally friendly and emit less pollution into the air
The motor is very quiet, and has minimal road noise

While they may look the same form the outside, electric cars definitely operate very differently when compared to traditional cars. So, if you are in the market for an electric or hybrid car, make sure that you educate yourself about how these cars work, so you can maximize its performance while on the road.

Interested in learning more about vehicles, car maintenance or just looking for auto insurance in Ontario? Check out the Insurance Hunter blog today!

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY:

Insurance Hunter is an online auto insurance provider who offers residents with free access to compare auto insurance quotes. Find out more car tips and top 10 lists on the Insurance Hunter blog today!