Advancement of the week: Electric Cars
Electric cars are one of the many advancing automobiles that are overtaking regular gas-fueled cars. Electric cars are propelled by an electric motor, which is powered by a rechargeable battery. The electric motor inside the car is run by an electric controller, which gets its power from the rechargeable batteries. Unlike regular cars, electric cars don’t contain a gasoline engine, a muffler, catalytic converters, and a tailpipe and gas tank. The clutch assembly is actually removed and replaced with a manual transmission and a vacuum pump is added to power the breaks. Because the engine is removed, an electric water system is also added to provide a heating system. As well the gas gauge is replaced with a volt meter.
The way an electric car works is the controller takes the power from the batteries and delivers it to the motor. An accelerator pedal is than attached to a pair of variable resistors called potentiometers that provide the signal to the motor of how much power the car needs to deliver. There are two different types of motors used in electric cars, the most popular is the DC motor (shown in the picture to the right) which runs on 96 to 192 volts. This motor is least expensive compared to the AC motor, which runs on 240 volts. Most electric cars can go from 0 to 60 mph in 15 seconds. Batteries of an electric motor last from around 3 to 4 years and cost around $2000 to be replaced.
There are many benefits to electric cars. They convert 59 to 62% of their electrical energy from grid to power at the wheels, whereas gas fueled cars convert about 17 to 21%. They also run quieter (due to lack of engine) and smoother as well as accelerating stronger than most cars. Some models can drive up to 400km before needing to be recharged. Electric cars also are environmentally friendly. They reduce emissions of harmful air pollutants because they do not emit any tailpipe gases whatsoever. Their energy efficiency is also increased, which means it requires less energy to do more work. They also do not depend on oil for gas, reducing the amount of greenhouse gases being produced from the burning of fossil fuels. Over all electric cars improve air quality.
As every year passes, there seem to be more cars on the road, creating more pollution. Electric cars however will be the answer to Canada’s growing population. They are environmentally friendly, use a renewable source for power and in-time are said to cost less than the gas-guzzling cars seen on the road today. The electric car industry will provide numerous openings for jobs in Ontario and the rest of Canada, overall benefitting the economy. Electric cars are said to be the cars of the future.