INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRIC VEHICLES

 What is an Electric vehicle?

 Any vehicle propelled by an electric drive train taking power from a rechargeable
battery or from a portable electric energy source (like solar panels, fuel cell, etc.)
which is manufactured for use on public roads.
Examples: Ford: Model-T (1911)
• BMW: BMW 1602E (1972)
• Toyota: Prius (1994)
• Tesla: Tesla roadster (2008) (>200 miles’ range using 53kwh battery)
• Nissan: Leaf (2006), etc.

 What are the key benefits of EV over fossil fuel vehicles?

 Benefits of EVs are as follows
 Sustainability
 Convenience
 Efficiency
 Economy

Sustainability
• No tail-pipe emissions.
• Reduced air pollution due to CO2, SOx, NOx and particulate matter.

Convenience
• Quieter
• No gear change
• Can be charged at home
• Lesser components and more storage space
• Self-driving
 Economy
Lower total cost of ownership
 Higher cost BUT
• Lower maintenance cost
• Lower taxes
• Cheaper fuel i.e. Electricity
• Govt. subsidy

Energy source Year Energy (Whr/kg) Compared to

Gasoline
Gasoline 1900-20 12000 -

Lead acid 1900 10 1200x worse

Lead acid 2000 35 350x worse

Ni-Mh 2000 80 150x worse

Lithium 2015 250 50x worse

Lithium 2025 400 30x worse

Lithium-air ? 12000 same