Future of Transportation: What You Need to Know About EV(Electric Vehicle)
Due to advancing technological capabilities and industrialization, cars that were once accessible to a limited audience have now become a widespread mode of transportation for people of almost all income levels. The use of fossil fuel-powered vehicles has increased carbon emissions, leading to air pollution and the depletion of natural resources, reaching levels that harm the planet’s life cycle. Fossil fuels, classified as depleting energy sources, are not only more costly but also harmful to the environment. Consequently, people have begun using electric vehicle with electric motors instead of fossil fuel-powered cars.
What is an Electric Vehicle?
The technological era has led to the design of vehicles that save fuel, do not consume oil, operate quietly, and work with high efficiency. Electric vehicles move via a rotor. The rotor, located inside the electric motor and rotating to keep the vehicle in motion, converts electrical energy into kinetic energy. Unlike gasoline vehicles, electric vehicles do not need the motor to reach a certain rpm for torque power to be felt. The electric vehicle operates with a battery in addition to the motor.
Electric vehicles contain a battery made up of lithium-ion cells. These batteries, which lose power over time, enable an electric vehicle to travel at least 200,000 kilometers. Many electric vehicle manufacturers guarantee 70% of the battery’s capacity within the first 4 years of use.
Electric vehicles allow users to save on fuel costs. The equivalent of 1 liter of gasoline consumed by an internal combustion engine vehicle is approximately 10 kWh for an electric vehicle. An electric vehicle uses about 18 kWh of electric energy per 100 kilometers driven, which is significantly lower than the energy consumption of internal combustion engines. Vehicles with internal combustion engines consume six times more fuel.
Due to their spacious and technological design, focus on interior features, quiet motors, and environmental and budget friendliness, interest in electric vehicles is increasing day by day.
How Does an Electric Vehicle Work?
Electric vehicles function in a similar manner to the motor that powers a washing machine. Unlike internal combustion engines that run on gasoline or diesel, electric motors offer high efficiency, low wear, and bidirectional operation. The efficiency of internal combustion engines is quite low; only about 35% of the energy produced is converted into usable power because of moving parts and other components. Compared to electric vehicles, this ratio is low. Internal combustion engines generate high heat, noise, and vibration when producing kinetic energy, while electric vehicles operate quietly.
Additionally, electric vehicles lack clutch discs, gearboxes, pistons, fuel tanks, exhaust systems, and oil and water pumps.
How to Charge an Electric Vehicle?
You can charge electric vehicles at home similarly to how you charge a mobile phone. They use lithium-ion batteries like those in mobile phones. Using standard household outlets that provide alternating current, an electric vehicle can be fully charged in 8-10 hours. Due to the single-phase, low-amperage household electrical setup, the charging time is longer. Unlike homes, high-current charging stations, installed in various locations, can charge the vehicle much faster.
Shopping malls and gas stations are places where you can find charging stations. Using direct current from fast charging stations, an electric vehicle can be charged in 30-60 minutes. It is a known fact that many electric cars can achieve an 80% charge within 30 minutes.. However, the vehicle can achieve a full charge in 2 to 4 hours using a normal-speed electrical current.
A fully charged electric car can travel between 150 to 600 kilometers, depending on the model.
Many electric car companies offer a warranty on the battery for at least 8 years and up to 15 years. Battery wear varies depending on usage frequency. Typically, signs of weakening are observed after 50,000 kilometers. It follows a pattern similar to the wear seen in internal combustion engines over distance.
How to Maintain an Electric Vehicle?
Compared to gasoline or diesel-powered cars, electric vehicles have simpler motor structures. With fewer moving parts in the electric motor, there are fewer components that need repairs or periodic maintenance. Less money is spent on maintaining an electric vehicle, which should be serviced based on the distance traveled. Maintenance activities include:
- Checking the tires
- Overhauling the brake system
- Measuring the electric motor’s performance
- Assessing the battery’s efficiency and wear
- Inspecting electric components
- Replacing the battery when necessary
Advantages of Electric Vehicles
- Fuel Savings: One of the most significant benefits of electric vehicles is fuel savings. Unlike fossil fuel-powered cars that consume natural resources, electricity is a less costly energy source.
- Tax Benefits: While vehicles running on gasoline and diesel incur higher Special Consumption Tax (SCT) and Motor Vehicle Tax (MVT), electric vehicles are exempt from these taxes.
- Technological Features: Electric vehicles are designed with more advanced technological equipment compared to fossil fuel vehicles.
- Environmental Friendliness: Electric vehicles are eco-friendly, reducing carbon emissions significantly.
Disadvantages of Electric Vehicles
- Charging Time: Fully charging an electric vehicle can take up to 10 hours.
- Range Anxiety: The distance an electric vehicle can travel on a full charge varies. In emergencies, insufficient charge levels can be problematic.
- Higher Costs: Electric vehicles are sold at higher prices compared to fossil fuel-powered vehicles.
- Maintenance Challenges: In countries like Turkey, the lack of sufficient sales networks and technological infrastructure poses maintenance and repair challenges for electric vehicles.
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