BANNARI AMMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

(Autonomous Institution Affiliated to Anna University Chennai

Approved by AICTE-Accredited by NAAC with ‘A+’ Grade)
SATHYAMANGALAM - 638401, ERODE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU

LECTURE MATERIAL

Subject Code 22EEH15

ELECTRIC VEHICLE DESIGN, MECHANICS AND
Subject Name CONTROL
UNIT 2 - ELECTRIC VEHICLES AND VEHICLE
Unit No. - Title MECHANICS
Topic No. - Title Topic 1 - ELECTRIC VEHICLES (EV)

Electric Vehicles can play a vital role in combating climate change

across the globe by helping to cut down the emissions and reducing
dependence on fossil fuels. This article throws light on the different types of
electric vehicles, environmental advantages, various initiatives of
Government and the future impact of electric vehicles on employment and
economy.

1. An electric vehicle (EV) is one that operates on an electric motor, instead of an

internal-combustion engine that generates power by burning a mix of fuel and gases.
2. Electric Vehicles (EV’s) include, road and rail vehicles, surface and underwater
vessels, electric aircraft and electric spacecraft.
3. Though the concept of electric vehicles has been around for a long time, it has
drawn a considerable amount of interest in the past decade amid a rising carbon
footprint and other environmental impacts of fuel-based vehicles.
4. An electric vehicle may be powered through a collector system by electricity from
off-vehicle sources, or may be self-contained with a battery, solar panels, fuel cells
or an electric generator to convert fuel to electricity.

Electric Vehicles – 8 Different Types

Electric Vehicles can be broadly classified into 8 different types.

1. Plug-in Electric Vehicle

2. On- and Off-road Electric Vehicles
3. Space Rover Vehicles
4. Seaborne Electric Vehicles
5. Airborne Electric Vehicles
6. Electrically Powered Spacecraft
7. Range-extended electric vehicle
8. Railborne Electric Vehicles
Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV)

A plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) is any motor vehicle that can be recharged from any
external source of electricity, such as wall sockets, and the electricity stored in the
Rechargeable battery packs drives.

Plug-in Electric Vehicles can be further categorized into

1. Plug-in Hybrid Electric vehicles, (PHEVs)

2. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs)
Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)

1. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is a hybrid electric vehicle whose battery can
be recharged by plugging it into an external source of electric power, as well as by
its on-board engine and generator.
2. Most PHEVs are passenger cars, but there are also PHEV versions of commercial
vehicles and vans, military vehicles, utility trucks, trains, motorcycles, buses and
mopeds.
Battery Electric Vehicles

1. A battery electric vehicle (BEV), pure electric vehicle, only-electric vehicle or all-
electric vehicle is a type of electric vehicle (EV) that exclusively uses chemical
energy stored in rechargeable battery packs, with no secondary source of
propulsion.
2. Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) thus have no internal combustion engine, fuel cell, or
fuel tank.
3. Some of the broad categories of vehicles that come under this category are trucks,
cars,buses, motorcycles, bicycles, forklift etc.

Advantages of Electric Vehicles

Electric Vehicles – Environmental Advantages

Electric cars (or electric vehicles, EVs) have several environmental benefits compared to
conventional internal combustion engine cars.

1. Have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

2. Reduce dependence on petroleum
3. Reduce health effects from air pollution
4. Reduce dependence on petroleum
5. They produce little or no tailpipe emissions
Electrical Vehicles – Better Energy Efficiency

1. Internal Combustion engines will consume fuel even when the vehicle is stationary,
whereas in electrical vehicles, the energy is not consumed when it is stationary.
2. Electrical Vehicles ‘tank-to-wheels’ efficiency is about a factor of 3 higher than
internal combustion engine vehicles
Electric Vehicles – Mechanical Advantages

1. They can be finely controlled and provide high torque from rest, unlike internal
combustion engines, and do not need multiple gears to match power curves. Hence it
removes the requirement for gearboxes and torque converters.
2. Lesser vibration
3. Lesser noise
4. Electric motors are mechanically very simple and often achieve 90% energy
conversion efficiency over the full range of speeds and power output and can be
precisely controlled.

Impact of Electric Vehicles on Employment and Economic Growth

1. The battery manufacturing industry in India can become bigger than the total
amount spent on import of crude oil. This would provide a huge boost to the Indian
economy.
2. There needs to be a careful plan to hand-hold mini and micro auto component
industries, which employs large numbers of people. Many of these companies won’t
survive as Electric Vehicles replaces petrol/diesel vehicles. Hence it is imperative to
help them during the transition phase to EV components manufacturing.
3. European Climate Foundation has estimated that through reducing oil demand by
more efficient electric cars, employment will increase by 5,00,000 to 8,50,000 by
2030.
4. As per one of the studies, net private and social benefits are estimated between
$300 and $400 per Electric vehicle.
5. The revenue loss for governments from the taxes on the oil sector is expected to be
replaced by higher tax revenues in other economic sectors.
6. EVs will create opportunities in durable and lightweight thermoplastics, higher
demand for electricity, storage, and many others.

In Figure,the black line represents the mechanical link, the green line represents the
electrical link and the blue line represents the control information communication. Based
on the control inputs from the brake and accelerator pedals, the electronic controller
provides proper control signals to switch on or off the power converter which in turn
regulates the power flow between the electric motor and the energy source. The backward
power flow is due to regenerative braking of the EV and this regenerative energy can be
stored provided the energy source is receptive. The energy management unit cooperates
with the electronic controller to control regenerative braking and its energy recovery. It
also works with the energy-refueling unit to control refueling and to monitor usability of
the energy source. The auxiliary power supply provides the necessary power with different
voltage levels for all EV auxiliaries, especially the temperature control and power steering
units.

Figure. General-Electrical-Configuration-of-EVs

Discussion Questions:

1. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions

compared to internal combustion engine vehicles?

2. What are the current challenges in EV battery technology, and how are they being
addressed?

3. What factors influence the cost of electric vehicles, and how can they be made
more affordable for the average consumer?

4. What role does charging infrastructure play in the adoption of EVs, and what are
the main challenges in its development?

5. How does the source of electricity (renewable vs. non-renewable) impact the
overall sustainability of EVs?
 6. What policies or incentives have proven effective in promoting EV adoption in
various countries?

7. How does the issue of range anxiety affect consumer decisions, and what solutions
are being implemented to address it?

8. How might the widespread adoption of EVs affect industries reliant on traditional
vehicle manufacturing and fossil fuels?

9. What are the latest advancements in EV technology, such as wireless charging or

autonomous driving, and how might they shape the future of transportation?

10. What cultural or social barriers exist to EV adoption, and how can they be
overcome?