2773

October 2025
E-VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
1. What does the abbreviation "EV" stand for?

c) Electric Vehicle

2. What does the general layout of an electric vehicle mainly include?

a) Battery, electric motor, and controller

3. To address the challenge of long charging time in EVs, which solution can be applied?

b) Fast charging infrastructure deployment

4. Which of the following is a disadvantage of electric vehicles?

b) Limited driving range due to battery capacity

5. What type of electric vehicle uses only batteries to power the motor?

b) Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)

6. Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles generate electricity by using which fuel?

b) Hydrogen

7. Which type of electric vehicle uses both a fuel engine and an electric motor?

c) HEV

8. What is the fuel source for a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV)?

b) Hydrogen

9. What is the role of the power electronics converters in a BEV?

b) Convert DC to AC and regulate voltage

10. How does the Battery Management System (BMS) help in the energy source subsystem of a
BEV?

c) Monitors and protects battery health and performance

11. Which of the following is common in both ICE and EV drive trains?

c) Suspension system

12. Which drivetrain part is used to transfer rotational energy to the driving wheels?

c) drive shaft
13. What are the two main power sources in a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)?

b) Internal combustion engine and electric motor

14. What type of hybrid combines features of both series and parallel hybrids?

b) Complex hybrid

15. Which of the following best explains the fuel cell stack's role in an FCEV?

c) Converts hydrogen into electricity through an electrochemical process

16. What is one advantage of FCEVs over BEVs?

a) Faster refueling time

17. Which component is used in electric vehicles to recover energy during braking?

c) Regenerative braking system

18. What does “charging” a battery mean in an electric vehicle?

b) Supplying electrical energy to replenish battery charge

19. Which of the following is a device that stores electrical energy in chemical form?

b) Battery

20. What is the primary source of energy for a solar photovoltaic cell?

c) Sun
 Part-B

21. List any two major advantages of electric vehicles (EVs).

The two major advantages of electric vehicles (EVs) are:

Zero Tailpipe Emissions: EVs produce no tailpipe pollutants (such as carbon monoxide,
nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter) when driven, which significantly reduces local air
pollution and helps combat climate change.

Lower Running Costs: Electricity is generally cheaper per mile or kilometer than gasoline
or diesel, leading to substantial savings on fuel costs over the lifetime of the vehicle [1].
Furthermore, EVs typically have fewer moving parts and do not require traditional
maintenance like oil changes, resulting in lower overall maintenance costs.

22.What is the basic need of electric vehicles (EVs)?

A high-capacity, rechargeable battery system

To provide clean,efficient

A charging infrastructure

Efficient electric motors

Power electronics and control systems

23.What does PEV stand for?

Plug-in electric vehicle:

This term refers to any road vehicle that can be charged from an external electricity
source and stores that energy in onboard rechargeable batteries to power an electric motor.
This category includes both all-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
(PHEVs)

24.Write about Tesla cars.

Tesla cars are fully electric vehicles (EVs) known for their high performance, long
driving range, and advanced technology like the Autopilot driver-assistance system.

Performance and Range

Innovative Technology

Charging Infrastructure.

Safety

Current Models.
25. What is the function of Power Electronics Converter in the electric
propulsion subsystem?
The function of a power electronics converter in an electric propulsion subsystem
is to control and convert electrical power from the energy source (like a battery) into the
suitable form required to power and manage the electric motor.

26.What are the main components of an HEV drivetrain system?

The main components of a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) drivetrain system are the internal
combustion engine, electric motor, battery pack, transmission system, and power electronics
controller.

27.What is the main purpose of battery-based energy storage in electric

vehicles?
The main purpose of battery-based energy storage in electric vehicles is to store
electrical energy and provide the power necessary to run the electric motor(s) that propel the
vehicle.

28.What type of energy is converted by a photovoltaic cell?

A photovoltaic cell, commonly found in solar panels, converts light energy (specifically
photons from the sun or other light sources) directly into electrical energy through the photovoltaic
effect
 PART-C

29.List the major components of an electric vehicle (EV) and mention two key advantages of using
EVs.

Major Components of an Electric Vehicle (EV)

A battery electric vehicle (BEV) utilizes several key components to convert stored electrical
energy into movement. These major components include:

 Traction Battery Pack: This is the primary power source and energy storage, typically
lithium-ion, storing electricity as DC.

 Electric Motor: Converts the battery's electrical energy into mechanical energy to power the
wheels, offering instant torque.

 Power Electronics Controller (Inverter): Manages energy flow, converting battery DC

power to AC for the motor and controlling its speed and torque.

 Onboard Charger: Converts external AC charging power into DC for the battery.

 DC-to-DC Converter: Reduces high-voltage battery DC to lower voltage for auxiliary

systems and the 12-volt battery.

 Thermal Management System: Regulates the temperature of the battery, motor, and power
electronics for optimal function.

Regenerative Braking System: Captures kinetic energy during deceleration and stores it in
the battery.

 Transmission: Most EVs use a simple single-speed or reducer gear system.

30.Write short notes on: (i) Fuel Cell electric vehicle (FCEV) (5)
A Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) is a type of zero-emission vehicle that uses a fuel cell to
power its onboard electric motor [1].

Key aspects of FCEVs include:

Operation: The vehicle combines hydrogen from a storage tank with oxygen from the air in
a fuel cell stack [2]. This electrochemical process generates electricity to run the motor, with
the only byproduct being water and heat [1, 2].

Energy Storage: Unlike traditional battery electric vehicles (BEVs) which store energy in
large batteries, FCEVs store energy in the form of compressed hydrogen gas [2]. A smaller
buffer battery is also used to store energy from regenerative braking and assist with
acceleration [2].
 Refueling: FCEVs can be refueled in a matter of minutes, similar to conventional gasoline
cars, which is significantly faster than recharging a BEV's large battery pack [2, 3].

Environmental Impact: FCEVs produce no tailpipe emissions (zero carbon dioxide or

pollutants) [1, 2]. Their overall environmental impact depends on how the hydrogen fuel
itself is produced; "green hydrogen," made using renewable energy, results in a fully clean
energy pathway

(ii) Hybrid Electric vehicle (HEV) (5)

A Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) combines a conventional internal combustion engine
(ICE) with an electric motor and a battery system to achieve better fuel economy and lower
emissions than a traditional vehicle.

Dual Propulsion: HEVs use both an ICE (typically gasoline or diesel) and an electric motor
to propel the vehicle. A power control unit manages the flow of energy to maximize
efficiency based on driving conditions.

 Energy Generation: The electric battery in most HEVs is charged internally by two main
methods:

o Regenerative Braking: When the driver brakes or decelerates, the electric motor acts as a
generator, converting the kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost as heat into electricity
stored in the battery pack.

o Internal Combustion Engine: The engine can also power a generator to charge the battery,
often operating at its most efficient speed.

 No Plug-in Charging: Unlike a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), a standard HEV cannot be charged
from an external electric power source or wall outlet.

 Automatic Start/Stop: The system automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle is
idling (e.g., at a stop light) and seamlessly restarts it when the accelerator is pressed, which
saves fuel and reduces emissions.

 Electric Assist: The electric motor provides supplemental power during acceleration,
reducing the load on the gasoline engine and allowing for the use of a smaller, more efficient
engine.
 31.Explain the main components of a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) drive
train

A Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) drivetrain has four main parts: a large Battery
Pack (energy source), a Controller/Inverter (manages power flow, converts DC to AC),
an Electric Motor (converts electricity to motion), and a Transmission (delivers power to
wheels), all managed by a Battery Management System (BMS) and onboard charger for
efficient, emission-free driving.

Here are the key components in detail:

1. Battery Pack (Energy Storage): Stores DC electricity from charging.

 Made of many cells, modules, and packs, managed for safety and performance.

 Includes a Battery Management System (BMS) to monitor health, temperature, and

charge/discharge.

2. Power Electronics (Inverter/Converter): The "brain" managing power flow.

 Inverter: Converts the battery's DC power to three-phase AC power for the motor.

 DC-DC Converter: Steps down high voltage for accessories (lights, infotainment).

3. Electric Motor (Traction Motor): Converts electrical energy to mechanical torque.

 Provides instant torque for quick acceleration.

 Can act as a generator during braking (regenerative braking) to recharge the battery.

4. Transmission: Connects the motor to the wheels.

 Typically a single-speed gearbox, as electric motors work efficiently across a wide RPM
range.

 Includes the Differential to send power to the wheels.

5. Onboard Charger: Converts AC from the grid to DC for the battery during charging.

6. Control Unit (VCU): The central computer that interprets driver inputs (pedals) and controls
all these components for smooth, efficient operation.

In essence, the battery sends DC power, the inverter turns it into controlled AC, the motor
spins the wheels, and the transmission manages that rotation, with the BMS and VCU
overseeing everything.

32.Explain the basic architecture of Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV)

drivetrains.

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) drivetrains combine an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and
an electric motor with a battery, managed by a controller, to drive wheels, improving efficiency
through regenerative braking, electric assist (torque boost), and engine stop/start. The core
architecture involves connecting these components (ICE, Motor/Generator, Battery, Transmission) in
different ways (Series, Parallel, Series-Parallel) to optimize power flow for better fuel economy, with
the key goal of using the electric part for dynamic power demands and the engine for steady-state
loads.

 Internal Combustion Engine (ICE): Traditional gasoline/diesel engine.

 Electric Motor/Generator (M/G): Acts as a motor for propulsion and a generator for
charging the battery and regenerative braking.

 Battery Pack: Stores electrical energy.

 Power Electronics (Controller/Inverter): Manages energy flow between battery, motor,

and engine.

 Fuel Tank: Supplies fuel to the ICE.

 Transmission: Delivers power to the wheels, sometimes integrated with the M/G.

33. Discuss about (i) super capacitors (5) (ii) solar photovoltaic cells (5)

i) Supercapacitors
A supercapacitor, also known as an ultracapacitor or electric double-layer capacitor
(EDLC), is an electrochemical energy storage device that bridges the gap between
conventional capacitors and rechargeable batteries. They offer much higher capacitance, high
power density, and a significantly longer cycle life compared to traditional batteries.

 High Power Density: They can deliver and absorb high currents in a short period (seconds to
minutes).

 Long Cycle Life: They can be charged and discharged hundreds of thousands to millions of
times with minimal degradation.

 High Efficiency: They have a high charge/discharge efficiency (around 85-98%).

 Low Energy Density: Compared to batteries, they store less energy per unit mass or volume.

 High Self-Discharge: They tend to lose their stored charge faster than batteries when not in
use.

solar photovoltaic cells

A solar photovoltaic (PV) cell is an electronic device that converts the energy of light
directly into electricity using the photovoltaic effect. These cells are the fundamental
building blocks of solar panels and are typically made from semiconductor materials, most
commonly silicon.

Working Principle
The working of a PV cell involves the following steps:

1. Light Absorption: Photons from sunlight strike the surface of the solar cell and are absorbed
by the semiconductor material.

2. Generation of Electron-Hole Pairs: The absorbed photon energy excites electrons, allowing
them to break free from their atomic bonds, creating a free electron and a "hole" (a vacant
space with a positive charge).

3. Charge Separation: A built-in electric field (created by a p-n junction within the cell) forces
the negative electrons to move toward the n-type side and the positive holes to move toward
the p-type side.

4. Current Flow: When an external circuit is connected, the separated electrons flow through
the load to recombine with the holes, generating a direct electric current (DC) that can be
used to power devices or charge a battery.
 Prepared BY

Mrs.S.LOUIS KRISHNAN

Lecturer/ EEE
149,Government polytechnic college
vanavasi salem-636457