How Do Electric Cars Work

Your electric vehicle's charge port will allow the battery pack to receive energy from an external power source. These power sources are often referred to as electric vehicle supply equipment or more commonly, a charging station. Charging occurs when your EVSE is plugged into an EV's charging port at a private residence or commercial charging station. For instance, if your EVSE utilizes a standard 240-volt outlet, you can charge your EV overnight at your house. Meanwhile, your electric vehicle inverter will charge your battery pack's flow of electrons from a Direct Current into an Alternating Current that is then used to power the electric traction motor. Lithium-ion batteries can only accept DC power, so inverters are necessary components for EVs. Inverters are also used to control the frequency of the AC power sent to the motor, so they will play a direct role in maintaining your EV's speed.

When you receive electricity from the inverter, the electric traction motor then provides the power that will make your Nissan EV move. Electric traction engines are normally powered by an alternating current, which is more efficient and reliable than a DC motor. Once the AC electrons reach the motor via the inverter, a rotating magnetic field is created, which causes the engine to turn on. Keep in mind that electric traction motors are very efficient and extremely powerful, as they don't feature multiple gears to shift like between an internal combustion engine, and power from the pedal to the engine is almost immediate.

The electric vehicle's traction battery pack's primary function is to store energy gathered from the grid while charging. That energy is then used to power the vehicle's engine and all other electrical components. Almost all EVs out there currently utilize a lithium-ion battery within the traction battery pack, as they have one of the highest energy densities of any battery available. These lithium-ion batteries will also produce larger currents and require less maintenance than all other battery types. Some EVs also features an auxiliary battery that will strictly power the vehicle accessories rather than drawing from the traction battery pack used to power all components.

Your Nissan's EV powertrain encompasses the entire high-voltage electrical system that allows your vehicle to operate. The electric powertrain comprises an inverter, an electric traction motor, a reduction drive, and a traction battery. These electric engines are incredibly lightweight, compact, and have slight vibration with instant torque. In addition, these electric powertrains have plenty of inverters that can recover displaced energy during deceleration. The process is known as regeneration, which transfers the unused AC power during braking into DC power that is stored back into a battery pack. Thanks to instant torque, long-distance range, and responsive handling, the all-electric Nissan LEAF provides drivers with instant acceleration and exhilaration, making it the perfect vehicle. 

There are three different electric vehicles that you can choose from, and each has its own merits. The first vehicle we will discuss is the BEV or battery-electric vehicle, which does not utilize an internal combustion engine or gasoline to function, so they will never produce harmful tailpipe emissions. These types of vehicles receive all of their energy from the grid. For example, the Nissan LEAF vehicle is a Battery Electric Vehicle. The next vehicle we have to talk about is the Hybrid Electric Vehicle, or HEV, which is a low-emission vehicle that has a small battery pack that assists the internal combustion engine. These vehicles receive most of their power from gas and can't be plugged into a charge. Instead, their battery packs are charged through regenerative braking while using a generator connected to a gas engine. Although HEVs can't run solely on electric power, they will maximize the fuel economy by using high-efficiency, low-power gasoline, running the engine in a more efficient way, and only turning it on when needed. The final engine is the plug-in hybrid which comes with an electric traction motor and an internal combustion engine, meaning they need EVSE charging and gasoline to run. The PHEV will run on battery power till the charge runs out then it switches to gasoline.

Now that you know how electric vehicles work, it's time to get yours here at Reedman-Toll Nissan of Drexel Hill! We have the latest versions of the ARIYA and the LEAF for you to see and test drive! These excellent Nissan vehicles are some of the best electric vehicles ever created, and one of the members of our team can also accompany you on the test drive so you can get the most out of your electric vehicle. If you enjoy your test drive, then be sure to check out our finance center, where our team will work with you toward a fantastic deal and even take your trade-in if you have one. Can't make it down to the dealership right now? Then be sure to check out our complete electric Nissan inventory here on our website.