Suppose you’re an EV owner or are looking to own one; in that case, it is vital to understand how owning an EV could reduce your expenses on maintenance costs as compared to traditional diesel-powered vehicles. This puts forth one of the biggest questions regarding an EV’s maintenance: Do electric cars have more parts?
Electric vehicles have fewer components than their diesel-fueled counterparts. In fact, while a conventional car has around 30,000 components, electric vehicles only have half that amount, making overall maintenance less costly and convenient for EV owners.
An EV’s motor has just a few dozen moving components compared to a traditional car, which, in comparison, has hundreds of them. There simply aren’t that many parts in an EV that could wear out, and even if they did, they’re reasonably simple to repair or replace.
In this guide, we’ll look at some of the significant benefits of a lower number of parts in an electric car.
9 Primary Components Of EVs
Electric vehicles are different in many aspects from traditional fossil fuel-powered vehicles. While EVs have fewer components than conventional cars, the certain primary components listed below are installed in nearly every type of EV.
1. Battery
An EV’s battery is one of its most essential components. This battery powers the motors with a constant energy supply and stores it in the form of DC. Its power or kilowatts determine the range the EV will travel on a full charge. On average, most EV batteries are expected to last more than 200,000 miles.
2. DC Converter
Although the battery provides a steady voltage, various EV components have differing needs. That is where the DC converter comes in. It converts the output power supplied from the battery to the required levels for each component.
This converter also provides the voltage needed to charge the EV’s auxiliary battery, which is another essential component of an electric car.
3. Electric Motor
Another important component of an EV is its electric motor. This motor is responsible for converting electrical energy into kinetic energy, which allows the wheels of the EV to rotate.
The electric motor is practically what distinguishes an EV from your conventional fossil fuel-powered vehicles. Two of the most common types of electric motors you can find in EVs are AC and DC motors.
The regenerative braking system of an EV is an important part of an electric motor. This patented braking system slows down the EV by transforming the kinetic energy into a different form and storing it for later use, allowing the brake pads and rotors to last longer.
4. Power Inverter
No EV is complete without a power inverter. With the help of this inverter, the direct current is converted into an alternating current. Inversely, the power inverter also transforms the alternating current produced by regenerative braking into direct current, which is required for battery recharging.
5. Charging Port
The charging port links the electric car to a power source from outside. You’ll commonly find the charging port either at the front or the back of your EV. Without a charging port, you’ll never be able to get your EV moving as it supplies the necessary energy to the battery.
6. On-board charger
EV manufacturers give you a Level 1 electric charger so that you can charge your vehicles wherever you want. This charger is installed within the vehicle, keeps track of numerous battery properties, and regulates the current flowing inside the battery.
Not many EV owners prefer the use of a Level 1 charger since it isn’t as efficient or quick enough as a Level 2 or Level 3 charger.
7. Controller
How an EV operates is mainly determined by the power electronics controller. This controller regulates the flow of electrical energy from batteries in your EV’s motors. It also regulates the torque generated in the EV and allows you to adjust your vehicle’s speed.
8. Supplementary Batteries
Auxiliary or supplementary batteries are a handy component of an electric car. These batteries provide electrical energy to various accessories present inside your EV. If the primary battery fails, these batteries will keep charging the vehicle.
Another advantage of these batteries is that they prevent the voltage drop from harming the electrical system when you start your vehicle.
9. Thermal Management System
The thermal system is in charge of keeping the essential components of an EV, such as the motor, working at a constant temperature so that you don’t run into an overheating problem. The thermal management system also works while charging the EV to provide optimal performance.
Maintenance Of EV Parts
Maintaining an electric car’s components isn’t as challenging as maintaining fossil fuel-powered vehicles. However, you should frequently inspect some EV components such as the battery, motor, and tires for optimum performance.
Battery Maintenance
To maintain battery health, avoid storing your electric vehicle in extremely high or low temperatures. Limiting the use of fast chargers also goes a long way in extending the battery’s lifetime.
Motor Maintenance
Although your EV’s electric motor doesn’t require constant maintenance, you should be vigilant enough to follow the schedule of your motor service specified by the EV manufacturer.
Tire Maintenance
You can take care of your EV’s tires by constantly looking for uneven tread wears. Replace the worn-out tires as soon as possible and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for tire rotation.
FAQs
Q) How Often Do Electric Cars Require Servicing?
An EV might require servicing about twice a year for the tire rotations and overall mechanical system. These service checks will increase your battery’s lifespan. You also might have to replace a battery that’s been used for more than eight years.
Q) What Is The Battery Management System In An EV?
All electric cars have a battery management system (BMS) tailored for the vehicle. The BMS regulates the flow of electricity in and out of the EV’s battery to prolong its longevity.
Q) How Quickly Does A Fast Charger Charge An EV?
Fast chargers provide around 200 miles of range in half an hour, making them the quickest option to charge your EV.
Conclusion
The growing popularity of electric vehicles is primarily due to their simple maintenance. As an EV has fewer parts than a conventional fossil fuel-powered vehicle, EV owners can stop worrying about important parts deteriorating.
However, with that being said, it’s still essential to maintain whatever parts your electric car has so that your vehicle can live up to its potential.
More Pages On FAQ
Despite the rising popularity of electric cars, thousands of people still dislike them, especially the older generation who distrust anything remotely new. Let’s take a closer look at why exactly...
Tesla is well-known for its innovative automobile, wheel designs, and utilization of numerous kinds of wheels in its different models. However, sometimes Tesla owners aren't satisfied with a stock...