These are the terms you should know before buying an electric car

Electric cars are becoming an increasingly popular type of vehicle, and they are gaining more and more favour among buyers. It will still be some time before they are a real option when buying a car, but the moment when their sales will increase is approaching. However, you need to understand a whole series of terms associated with electric vehicles that will be important in choosing the car we want.

Types of electric vehicles

This is the most basic thing: knowing the types of electric cars that exist on the market. They are divided into different acronyms, and it is important to know what they mean.

• BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle): These are 100% electric cars with a battery. They use a battery to store the electrical energy that powers one or more electric motors.
• HEV (Hybrid Electric Vehicle): These are cars with a battery that powers an electric motor and a combustion engine. The battery is charged by the combustion engine and by regenerative braking, but it cannot be charged externally.
• PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle): It is similar to the previous one, but in this case it has a larger battery and a motor that allows it to run fully electric for longer. The battery is charged externally through a charger, which gives it greater range in fully electric mode.
• FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle): In this case the electricity is generated through a chemical process in which hydrogen, used as fuel, is processed. This is the least common type of electric vehicle, and it will apparently take longer to reach mass sales.

Types of battery

There are several types of batteries for electric vehicles. These are stores that, through chemical processes, accumulate electrical energy and then supply it to the car’s various electrical systems. Technology is advancing little by little, and greater efficiency is achieved as research into them progresses.

• Lithium-ion batteries: These are the most common, and they are also used in mobile devices.
• Lithium-polymer batteries: These batteries are very similar to the previous ones, but they have a higher energy density and a higher discharge rate, so they are more efficient.
• Solid-state batteries: These are the most modern and are still under development. In these batteries the liquid conductor is replaced by a solid element, such as gold wires, crystal or gel, for example.

Battery capacity and charge density

The battery capacity is the charge it can store. It is measured in ampere-hours (Ah). A 1Ah battery is capable of delivering a current of 1 A for one hour before being discharged. The charge density is the ratio of mass per unit volume of the electrolyte. In practical terms, the higher the charge density, the more charge it can store. Manufacturers want to obtain batteries with higher charge density, which will reduce their size and weight.

kWh

The kilowatt-hour is possibly the term we hear most often when talking about an electric vehicle. The kWh is the amount of energy a battery can transfer. This depends on its voltage and capacity and is usually expressed in watt-hours, so one kWh equals 1,000 Wh. If a 30 kWh motor runs for one hour, it has consumed 30,000 Wh. This concept also indicates the charging time depending on the type of charger, which varies according to the voltage and amperage used. The more kWh, the longer it will take to charge.

Regenerative braking

Through regenerative braking, the electric motor works like a bicycle dynamo but with more advanced technology. That is, broadly speaking, the rotation of the electric motor when braking or lifting off the accelerator generates electricity that charges the battery. It is very practical and allows part of the charge to be recovered simply through normal driving.

Direct current and alternating current

These concepts are basic and are something we know from the batteries of conventional cars. Direct current is a current in which the charge always flows in one direction. Alternating current, on the other hand, allows the charge to change direction at regular intervals. Vehicle electrical systems normally use 12-volt direct current, although there are also alternating current motors, less used for the time being.

With these concepts clearer, you can start thinking about buying an electric car, since you will have a better idea of what they mean and how they apply specifically. That said, if you have any doubts, do not hesitate to consult the salesperson, who will clarify everything you need to know about your new electric car.