Types of Electric Cars
Modern car manufacturers design different types of electric vehicles to provide drivers with a range of features and varying benefits. The most common types of EVs include...
Unlike gas-powered vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs) do not require internal combustion engines to operate. Outfitted with an electric motor and rechargeable battery pack, EVs move along our roadways without burning up gasoline, or producing harmful exhaust emissions, while generating less noise pollution.
Here’s a basic rundown of how electric cars work: EVs receive energy from a charging station and store the energy in its battery. The battery gives power to the motor which moves the wheels. Many electrical parts work together in the background to make this motion happen.
Breaking down the key parts that make up an electric car is essential to understanding how they run. These key components include:
An electric vehicle’s charge port allows the battery pack to receive energy from an external power source. These power sources are referred to as electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), more commonly known as a charging station.
Charging occurs when an EVSE is plugged into an EV’s charge port at a private residence or commercial charging station. For example, an EVSE that utilizes a standard 240-volt outlet (similar to those used for household appliances) can charge an EV overnight.
Electric vehicle inverters change the battery pack’s flow of electrons from a Direct Current (DC) into an Alternating Current (AC), which is then used to power the electric traction motor. Because lithium-ion batteries can only accept DC power — and because electric traction motors require AC power to function — inverters are necessary components for EVs. Inverters are also used to control the frequency of the AC power being sent to the motor, so they play a direct role in controlling an EV’s speed.
Modern car manufacturers design different types of electric vehicles to provide drivers with a range of features and varying benefits. The most common types of EVs include...
Whether you choose the advanced LEAF electric vehicle or the ARIYA electric SUV, Nissan EVs have the power to change not only how you drive, but how you live as well.
The all-electric ARIYA is a revolution in advanced electric performance and breakthrough design for the next generation of EV driving.
Discover the instant acceleration, incredible range, and nimble handling of the all-electric Nissan LEAF.
