Soon electric cars will be cheaper and they are alternative to hybrid cars. They are automobiles that are driven by electric motors which use energy from charged batteries. Many people are longing to have a car that you just charge and continue with your business without the emission of CO2 in our environment.
Electric cars’ idea came in 1884 when Thomas Parker from London built the first successful electric car which used high-quality rechargeable Batteries. A German inventor Andreas Flocken built Flocken Elektrowagen in 1888. The electric cars were the preferred type of cars in the 19th century and they were making good sales because they were less noisy were gearless. Rise of the oil industry and ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) possed a challenge and a competition for these electric cars. They were considered to be quick fueling and cheap to build. But later in the 1990s the campaign to have more electric cars intensified with the dream of having zero emissions. Many companies built models that were later removed from the market.
In 2004 Telsa motors an electric automaker from California succeeded in making Telsa Roadstar in 2008. It was the first legal electric car that used lithium batteries reached a maximum speed of 320 km. By 2017 Telsa had made sales of over 250,000 while Nissan made a sale of over 50,000 the same year. The electric car industry keeps growing and many countries are hoping to ban combustion engine cars in the future.
We have three types of electric cars;
BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles ) – These are fully electric vehicles that never require any fuel. They are propelled by electric energy stored in their high-quality batteries. They never emit any harmful gasses or noise pollution. They can be classified into;
- Level 1 which you can use standard house changer in your home. Eight hours charge can take you for about over 75 miles.
- Level 2 which you can charge at a stationary station that can be available just like gas stations. Four hours charge also can take you up to over 75 miles.
- Level 3 is a fast charging solution for electric cars. A thirty minutes charge can take you up 90 miles
- Examples such vehicles are Tesla X, Toyota Rav4, Volkswagen e-Golf, BMW i3, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model and Chevy Bolt.
Other types include lug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles or PHEVs and HEVs.
Advantages of electric cars;
- Economic. Electronic cars are becoming less expensive with time and they are even outdoing combustion cars. Their operation cost is also becoming less compared to gas cars. Also, the manufacturing cost is becoming cheap with technology.
- Environmental aspects. No more noise pollution and air pollution.
- Lithium availability. It is estimated there is available lithium for about 4 billion cars.
- High energy efficiency.
- Good cabin and cooling system.
- Safety from fire risk and heavy batteries can be placed on the preferred place to lower the center of gravity.
- Easy similar controls in electric cars.
- Use of efficient lithium batteries which charge fast and can be available in different range depending on the size of the car. The lithium batteries can last for a very long time.
The future technology of electric cars.
Companies are now collaborating in research in automating of charging and parking. This will help in building smart car systems which will improve the autonomous cars. These cars will not emit any harmful gases. They are becoming popular and like any other start-up, they are faced with pros and cons. One main challenge is charging stations as these cars require a charge when moving for long distances. Another challenge is the lack of power like fuel cars which can climb a mountain very fast.
With time we hope these cards will be a success and we will be able to enjoy them without challenge and they will be cheaper.
