Electric cars can be fitted with either DC or AC motors. If a car is equipped with a DC motor, then it can run on anything between 96 to 192 volts. The electric fork lift industry is a premier producer of DC motors for electric cars.

When an AC motor is used, it is most likely to be a three phase motor running at 240 volts AC with a 300 volt battery pack.

Installing a DC motor is definitely far simpler and cheaper than an AC motor. A regular DC motor will have a range of 20000 watts to 30000 watts and a controller will be in the 40000 to 60000 watt range i.e.  400 to 600 amps may be delivered by a 96 volt controller. They are exceptional in that they may be over driven (up to 10:1) for short spans of time. Meaning, a 20000 watts engine can receive 100000 watts for a short period and deliver up to 5 times of its horsepower. It is fantastic for bursts of acceleration, but repeatedly overdriving a vehicle may cause its motor to heat up and self destruct.

Installing AC motors is easier as any industrial 3 phase motor can be used. These are easier to find in terms of size, shape and power rating issues. AC motors and controllers come equipped with regenerative features which help the motor become a generator during braking, and supply power back to the batteries.

If there are any drawbacks to electric cars they are its batteries. The top six problems that lead – acid batteries face are:

They are massive with a typical battery pack weighing 1000 pounds or more.

They are ponderously large in size, with a car needing 50 batteries measuring 6x8x6 inches.

They are constrained in capacity where a regular battery may hold up to 15 kilowatt hours of electricity i.e. power for a 50 mile drive only.

These batteries can take anytime from 4 to 10 hours to recharge depending on battery technology and charger.

Their life span is 3 to 4 years or maybe 200 full charge/ discharge cycles.

They cost about 2000$.

Electric Vehicles believe in one word: simplicity. In comparison with gasoline powered vehicles, electric vehicles achieve a staggering 90% efficiency rate because they are engineered to convert energy no matter the speed levels or power usages. These cars are also easier to control than normal cars.  This uniqueness comes from the combination of electric motors and a regenerative braking system. This system enables energy to be restored to the cells that drive the car. For people living in cities like Los Angeles, which experience high levels of grid lock, this is a boon.

The regenerative braking system can provide torque even as the car is coming to a rest and this enables the electric vehicle to maneuver curves and handle inclines. It is this ability of the electric engine that erases the need of torque converters or gear boxes. Electric engines have very few moving parts and are therefore silent and produce lesser vibrations. While this might be seen by some as dangerous to the elderly, the blind and children, it is a pleasure to drive and is a definite advantage to the owner of the car.

Electric vehicles do not pollute the air with noxious gases like CO2, NO2, PM, CO and NMHC making them assuredly environmentally friendlier. Looking at their efficiency in energy utilization, we find that electric cars are three times better at tank to wheels efficiency than gasoline cars. According to information available with the GM Volt, these cars are far cheaper to be run. In fact estimated costs are as little as 2 cents as against the 12 cents per mile paid by gasoline cars.

Electric cars are environmentally the better option as they use energy stored in batteries for propulsion. They are definitely a cleaner and safer alternative to internal combustion vehicles. As with all things, there are definite pros and cons to electric engines. They can move much faster and can be controlled better but they cannot traverse long distances at one time and while they do not emit any exhaust, they take a long time to charge the batteries.

Change is imminent in the transportation industry with the certain arrival of electric cars.  The arrival of these cars will encourage us to move from internal combustion engines to vehicles powered by electricity. These cars herald a time of clean emissions and revolutionary technology and should entice all to give up dependence on gas powered vehicle.

It is important that we know what plug in cars are. Plug-ins are cars which use cheap, clean and safe domestic electricity for all or some of its power. The difference between plug in or all electric vehicle(EV) and hybrid vehicles (PHEV) is that plug in cars use store all energy in batteries but hybrid cars  store only some energy in batteries and depend on gasoline to extend their performance. PHEVs depend entirely on gasoline and cannot be powered by electricity.

If there is one word to describe electric cars it is “reliable”. These cars do not need tune ups or oil changes and work just as well with 10 times fewer parts than ordinary cars.

These cars provide the ideal option to bring down carbon emissions. Making optimum use of the renewable aspect of electricity to power transportation is the first step to ecological safety. Electric vehicles are the only way to ensure sustainability of environment and fuel price stability.

Isn’t it amazing!

Where can one get an EV?

Procuring an electric vehicle is very challenging as most vehicle manufacturers do not have electric versions of their cars. This is because of the oil and auto industries rallying hard to withdraw the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate proposed during the 1990’s. With the mandate withdrawn, auto giants were under no pressure to sell electric cars and consumers were denied any choice in the matter. Cars were in fact confiscated and destroyed despite pleas from owners.

In 2005, DontCrush.com campaigned hard for electric vehicles and had companies like Ford and Toyota cease crushing their electric cars. The success of the DontCrush.com campaign has encouraged companies like Plug In America to provide customers with electrical choices in vehicles.

Change is Coming

Better times have arrived for Evs. Several auto manufactures have begun to offer Plug in cars. Chevrolet launched it VOLT at special dealerships in 2010 and Nissan has launched its LEAF. 2011 brings in electric cars from the factories of Ford, Coda, Think, MINI and smart into the market.  All major auto manufacturers along with a few start ups have announced a new range of plug in vehicles, but only consistent pressure from environmentally conscious sectors of society will ensure that these cars will be sold.

Where can I buy a Plug in?

Plug In America’s Plug in Vehicle Tracker is the best way to stay up to date with news about electric vehicles in America. Updated twice a month, all details pertaining to highway- usable electrical cars and trucks are provided here. The Tracker is only for informational purposes and does not certify or sponsor any specific brand.

Action to be taken

It is up to the people to ensure that they are provided with the right choices in vehicles. They have to insist and demand that all auto manufacturers build and sell plug-ins. Only persistent efforts to encourage plug ins will ensure sustainability. Contacting local dealers and signing Plug in America’s petition is the first step in the right track.