Understanding the Key Battery Characteristics in Electric Vehicles
Table of Contents
- jaro education
- 3, June 2024
- 10:02 am
Electric vehicles, also known as EVs, are becoming very popular. These vehicles create less pollution than gasoline-powered vehicles (or petrol cars), so they are environmentally friendly–especially in cities. Electric cars are usually made by transitioning regular cars that run on gas. Merely judging by its exterior, one cannot always ascertain whether a car is electric. The electric car uses energy stored in its rechargeable batteries, which are recharged by common household electricity. The battery is the fuel for electric vehicles. It’s an essential component in determining its performance, range, and overall efficiency. To gain a practical understanding, we’ll explore the different types of batteries used in electric vehicles, discuss their properties, and learn about the challenges and solutions in battery technology.
Function of Batteries in Electric Vehicles
Even if you have never driven an electric car, identifying its main parts is still relatively simple. For example, instead of engines, they have an electric motor, and instead of a gas tank, they have batteries.
Electric vehicles operate differently than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles as they do not require IC engines to operate. It’s powered by an electric motor rather than a petrol engine. The electric motor gets energy from the controller, which regulates the amount of power used by the driver’s accelerator padel.
The battery used in electric vehicles functions as an electrical energy storage system in the form of direct current electricity. If it receives a signal from the controller, the battery transmits DC electrical energy to the inverter and then uses it to drive the motor. The type of battery used is a rechargeable battery arranged in such a way that it is called a traction battery pack.
Types of Batteries Used in Electric Vehicles
These are the three most common EV battery types:
1. Lithium-ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of batteries used in electric vehicles today. They offer high energy density, meaning they can store much energy in a relatively small and lightweight package. This allows electric vehicles to achieve longer driving ranges on a single charge. Lithium-ion batteries have a longer lifespan than other types of batteries, making them a preferred choice for electric vehicle manufacturers.
2. Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries
Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries were once popular in early electric vehicles but have since been primarily replaced by lithium-ion batteries. NiMH batteries offer decent energy density and are relatively inexpensive compared to lithium-ion batteries. However, they have a lower energy density and shorter lifespan, making them less efficient and cost-effective in the long run.
3. Lead-acid Batteries
Lead-acid batteries are the oldest type of rechargeable battery and are commonly used in conventional gasoline-powered vehicles. While they are not typically used in modern electric vehicles for their low energy density and heavyweight, lead-acid batteries are still found in some hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) as part of the auxiliary system or to supplement the main battery pack.
Key Characteristics of Battery in Electric Vehicles
Now that you know about the EVf battery types, it’s crucial to understand their key characteristics for optimising performance and addressing challenges.
Energy Density
Energy density is an important element in electric car batteries, as it shows the amount of energy stored per unit of volume or weight. In other words, batteries with higher energy density can store more energy in a smaller and lighter package. This helps electric vehicles to drive further on a single charge. Lithium-ion batteries, with their high energy density, have made a big difference in electric cars. They let cars travel longer distances without needing to charge often.
Specific Power
Specific power measures the rate at which a battery can deliver energy to the electric motor. It is an essential characteristic of electric vehicles, as it determines the vehicle’s acceleration and overall performance. This is pivotal for electric cars because it affects how fast they can speed up and their general working ability. Batteries with higher specific power provide greater energy per unit of weight, resulting in faster