Electric Vehicle (EV) – Block Diagram, Working, Advantages, and Disadvantages

In this article, I will explain the block diagram, working, needs, advantages, and disadvantages of electric vehicles (EVs). An electric vehicle is a mode of mobility that uses an electric motor for propulsion. Today, electric vehicles are becoming popular due to their low operational cost and eco-friendly operation. Therefore, it is important to understand the basic structure, working, advantages, and disadvantages of an electric vehicle.

What is an Electric Vehicle?

As the name implies, an electric vehicle is a type of vehicle i.e., car or bike, that uses an electric motor to produce the power required for its propulsion.

In an electric vehicle, there can be one or more electric motors to propel it. These motors receive electric power from an onboard source of electrical energy like batteries, ultracapacitors, fuel cells, etc.

In conventional vehicles like cars and bikes, there is an internal combustion engine used to produce power by burning gases or liquid fuels like petrol, diesel, etc. Since, the combustion of petrol or diesel causes several environmental issues such as global warming, air pollution, etc.

Hence, it is necessary to find a new concept that can address all these issues. The electric vehicle can be considered the one.

Today, industries are manufacturing different types of electric vehicles to meet different driving requirements.

Let us now understand the basic structure of a four-wheel electric vehicle.

Block Diagram of Electric Vehicle

Electric vehicle is an umbrella term that includes all types of electricity-powered vehicles, such as two-wheelers, three-wheelers, cars, buses, trucks, and more.

The basic block diagram of an electric car is shown in the following figure.

The outer structure of an electric vehicle or car looks similar to an ordinary car. However, the internal components and their arrangement are completely different.

A typical electric car consists of a source of electricity like a battery, electric motors, and a transmission system.

Working of Electric Vehicle

The complete working of an electric car is explained below:

• When we start the car and press the car pedal, electrical energy starts flowing from batteries to electric motors.
• The pressure applied on the car pedal sends signals to the electronic controller. Then, the controller regulates the electrical energy supplied to the motors.
• Electric motors convert the electrical energy into rotational mechanical energy at a certain speed depending on the amount of electrical energy supplied.
• The electric motor then rotates the transmission system and wheels of the car and moves it.

This is how an electric car or vehicle works.

Need of Electric Vehicles

The following are some major reasons for the need for electric vehicles:

• Depletion of fuel reserves and increasing their cost.
• Increasing environmental impacts like air pollution, global warming, noise pollution, etc.
• Strict emission standards.

Hence, to overcome these major issues, we have to adopt electric vehicles as our primary source of transportation to create a sustainable future.

Advantages of Electric Vehicles

Electric vehicles provide several unique advantages over petrol- or diesel-powered vehicles. The key benefits of electric vehicles are listed below:

• Electric vehicles do not pollute the environment, as there is no exhaust emission.
• Electric vehicles have fewer moving components and mechanical parts. Thus, their maintenance cost is low.
• Due to fewer components, electric vehicles have simpler designs and hence lower design costs.
• Electric vehicles help to reduce greenhouse emissions significantly.
• Electric vehicles help to reduce noise pollution, as they have quiet operation.
• The running cost per kilometer of an electric vehicle is much lower than that of a fuel-powered vehicle.
• Electric vehicles are ideal options for stop-start city driving conditions, as there is no need for gear-shifting.
• Electric vehicles rely on electric motors which are more robust and durable than petrol-powered cars.
• Electric vehicles are more energy efficient.
• Electric vehicles can contribute to power regeneration during braking.
• Electric vehicles are subjected to lower registration fees and road taxes.

All these benefits make electric vehicles an effective and better mode of transportation.

Disadvantages of Electric Vehicles

Apart from advantages, electric vehicles also have several disadvantages. Some key disadvantages or limitations of electric vehicles are given below:

• Electric vehicles have a lower speed limit and distance range as compared to petrol-powered vehicles.
• Electric vehicles require more time to charge as compared to IC engine vehicles.
• Electric vehicle public charging stations are limited.
• The resell value of electric vehicles is very low.
• The initial cost of an electric vehicle is more than a normal car.
• In electric vehicles, electricity is provided by batteries. If the batteries get damaged, their replacement is quite expensive.

Conclusion

In conclusion, an electric vehicle is an electricity-powered vehicle having electric motors to produce propulsion power instead of internal combustion engines.

Electric vehicles are becoming popular due to several benefits, mostly eco-friendly and low-cost operation.

However, electric vehicles have several limitations such as limited top speed and distance range per charge that make them a non-ideal choice for long-distance transportation.

In this article, I have explained all the basic concepts of electric vehicles.