There is no doubt that the electric car is postulating itself as the real alternative to the combustion car. Is feasible, it works, and already has numerous followers, and not only by manufacturers. And, although important data about their autonomy or efficiency are becoming known, few people really know what the electrical systems they equip are like.
The electric car, much more than batteries
They are systems that, as we see with their engines, these have fewer moving parts, simple and reliable operation without a cooling system or gearbox… but from which we find several other differences, which have a lot to do, on their part, with the voltage and the systems that give it that life.
However; an electric car is not exactly the same as an electrified car. By electric car we refer to one that is ‘100% electric’ or ‘pure electric’, as they are often known. That is, a car in which there are one or more electric motors that turn the wheels, and that use only electrical energy stored in a rechargeable battery.
An electrified car is a broader concept which includes electric cars, but also other variants that incorporate electricity to a lesser or greater extent (whether it is a self-charging hybrid, a plug-in hybrid, an extended-range electric car or 100% electric).
how are they formed
But let’s go by parts. To know the voltage of these electric cars we have to decipher them. Also known by their acronym EV or BEV, they are cars that run on their batteries. In these the propulsion is done using electric motors that use electrical energy.
Which is stored in its internal battery system, usually using lithium ions. This system is what could be considered a purely electric vehicle, but its main characteristic is that its Connection to the electric grid to be able to recharge its batteries and thus have sufficient autonomy.
The parts of this type of motors are basically four. And it is necessary to understand that the batteries are included in the motorization group. In the case of electric drives, instead, they take responsibility for transform energy electricity that we charge into the battery through the moving charge input on the wheels.
- batteries. It is the equivalent of the fuel tank of a combustion car. In effect, it is an energy accumulator in which the electricity that is transmitted to the electric motor to make the car work is stored.
- Motor. It is in charge of transforming electrical energy into mechanical energy, properly speaking. In the fixed part or stator, the magnetic fields are induced to give a turning impulse to the moving part or rotor where the driving power is created and transmitted to the outside of the motor. It also allows you to reduce speed by transforming part of its kinetic energy into electrical energy. This electrical energy is stored for future use. It is a way to improve the autonomy of the vehicle
- Transformer. Between the motor and the battery there is a significant difference in volts due to their own characteristics. Thus, what the transformer does is rectify and change the frequencies to harmonize the volts.
- Regulator. This system receives the driver’s orders when accelerating or braking and, with other sensors, supervises and coordinates the previous elements.
What voltage do electric cars have?
As we say, the motor itself is given as an electrical machine that uses electricity to do work: spin the wheels and the car moves. To do this, it transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy (movement). The rotation of the engine does not reach the wheels directly, but through a reduction transmission.
What we are going to find in the broad market is that these use alternating current motors, although throughout history they have undergone variations. That is why it is necessary that the transformer intervenes between the battery and the motor.
In general, most electric cars operate with voltages around 360 to 400 volts, although the newer ones can range between 400 and 800V. This is the case of what are known as high power and recharging speed models, which can operate at even higher voltages of around 800V, as the Porsche Taycan does.