Electric cars are already making waves in India for their low running costs, desirable designs, etc. However, many people still have questions about how electric cars work, where to charge them, their maintenance costs, and more. In this blog, we cover the most frequently asked questions about electric cars to help you make an informed decision before switching to green transportation.
1) Basics of Electric Cars:
How does an electric car work?
Electric cars run on electricity, which is stored in a battery pack. The battery stores power and supplies energy to an electric motor, which, in turn, drives the wheels of the car.
Source: AI generated image
What are the different types of electric cars?
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): These cars run completely on batteries and don’t rely on any fuel.
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): These cars can run on both electricity and fuel.
- Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs): These primarily run on fuel but also use an electric motor to improve efficiency.
How is an electric car different from a traditional fuel-powered car?
Fuel-powered cars have engines, fuel tanks, and exhaust systems that produce pollution. In contrast, electric cars are equipped with electric motors and batteries, making them emission-free.
2) Battery and Range:
What is kWh in an electric car battery?
kWh stands for kilowatt-hour. Just like petrol or diesel is measured in litres, kWh is used to measure the amount of electricity a battery pack can store. For example, a car with a 50 kWh battery can supply 50 kilowatts of power for one hour.
What is the range of an electric car?
The range is the distance an electric car can travel on a full charge, similar to the mileage of a petrol or diesel car.
What is the typical range of an electric car?
The range depends on the size of the battery pack. A larger battery pack means a higher range. For instance, the Tata Tiago EV’s base variant has a 19.2 kWh battery, offering a range of 200 km. On the other hand, the Mercedes-Benz EQS 580 4Matic EV has a 107.8 kWh battery, offering a range of 800 km (as claimed by ARAI).
How long does a battery pack last in electric cars?
Battery life typically ranges from 10 to 15 years before significant degradation occurs. Most brands offer warranties of up to 8 years or 1,60,000 km, whichever comes first.
Manufacturers are now offering lifetime warranties on batteries for the first registered private owners. For example, Mahindra offers a lifetime warranty on models like the Mahindra BE6 and XEV 9e, showing their confidence in the battery technology.
What happens to the battery after its warranty period?
Just like mobile phone batteries, EV batteries will still function after the warranty period but may show gradual performance degradation over time.
Electric car users often confuse charging speed with battery capacity. Charging speed is the maximum rate at which your electric car can intake power, and it is measured in kilowatts (kW). For instance, the Tata Nexon EV has a battery capacity of 40.5 kWh, but its maximum power intake for charging is 31 kW, depending on the charger and charging conditions. Know more on the difference between charging speed and battery capacity
3) Electric Car Charging and Public EV Charging Stations:
Where can I charge my electric car?
You can charge your EV at home using Level 1 slow chargers (provided with most EVs) or a regular 15-amp 3-pin home socket. For road trips, public charging stations with DC fast chargers are available.
Source: AI generated image
What are AC and DC charging?
AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current) chargers are the two types of chargers:
- AC Slow Charging Level 1 (120V AC): Slowest, typically for home charging.
- AC Slow Charging Level 2 (240V AC): Faster, used at homes or workplaces.
- DC Fast Charging: Found at public stations, provides rapid charging.
Read more on the difference between AC and DC chargers
How much time does it take to charge an electric car at home?
It depends on the battery capacity. For example:
- A Level 1 home charger (120V AC) may take 6–8 hours.
- A 15-amp home socket might take more than 12 hours to fully charge an EV.
What are public charging stations?
Similar to fuel stations, public charging stations allow you to charge your EV.
Scan the barcode and download the EVJoints app to find 6,000 EV charging stations across various networks.
Click & download the EVJoints app to find 6,000 charging stations.
Do public charging stations have attendants?
Most public charging stations are self-operated through mobile apps, but charging hubs often have attendants available 24×7 for assistance.
What are charging hubs, and how are they different from stations?
- Charging Stations: Usually have 2 chargers with 4 connectors.
- Charging Hubs: Have 30+ chargers with 60+ connectors, allowing multiple EVs to charge simultaneously.
Read more on the difference between charging stations and hubs
How much time does it take to charge an EV at a public charging station?
Charging time depends on the battery size and charger power rating.
- Example 1: A Tata Nexon EV with a 30 kWh battery pack takes approximately 56 minutes to charge from 0–80% on a 25 kW DC charger.
- Example 2: The Tata Nexon EV long-range variant (45 kWh) takes around 40 minutes with a 60 kW fast charger.
How can I find public charging stations?
Public charging stations are often located in popular spots like malls, hotels, restaurants, metro stations, etc. You can use apps like EVJoints to locate nearby stations across networks or you can use individual EV charging apps of different networks. Here’s the guide to find charging stations
Who operates public charging stations?
Private players like ChargeZone, Statiq, Tata Power, and Zeon Charging, among others, install and manage charging stations. Unified EV charging apps like EVJoints help locate these easily.
Can you take electric cars for long trips?
Yes, you can, but proper planning is essential before starting your journey. With larger battery packs and an expanding charging station network, long trips in electric cars are practical. Additionally, the EVJoints route planner helps you locate charging stations and estimate battery consumption along your route, factoring in elevation.
4) Environmental Benefits:
Are electric cars better for the environment?
Yes, electric cars produce zero emissions, significantly reducing air pollution. Read more on the top 5 impacts of carbon emissions
What happens to the used batteries of electric cars?
Electric car batteries can be reused or recycled, contributing to sustainability.
5) Performance:
How do motor power (kW) and torque work together to define an EV’s performance? The motor acts like a propulsion system for electric cars. Motor power and torque play a vital role in an electric car’s performance. Motor power is measured in kilowatts (kW), determining the overall speed and acceleration capabilities. Torque is measured in Newton-meters (Nm), the rotational force that boosts the electric car instantly. So, higher the motor power, higher the speed, and higher the torque, higher the acceleration. For instance, the Mahindra BE 6 EV 79 kWh battery pack variant has a motor power of 284 kW and a torque of 380 Nm, enabling it to achieve an acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.7 seconds, delivering a balanced and powerful drive.
Source: AI generated image
Why is torque crucial for delivering instant power in electric vehicles? Torque is vital in electric cars as it delivers instant force generated by the motor to push the car forward from a standstill position. For example, the Tata Nexon EV 45 kW variant, with 245 Nm of torque and a motor power of 106 kW, effortlessly accelerates even on steep hills or in busy urban traffic, achieving 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 seconds.
6) Other Common Questions:
What happens if an electric car runs out of charge mid-way?
Ideally, you should monitor battery consumption displayed on the car’s main screen. Look for a charging station as soon as the battery level reaches 10%. If you run out of charge, startups like Hopcharge and Cargr offer mobile charging services. However, their infrastructure is still developing across cities. Read more on what to do if your EV runs out of charge on the road
Are electric cars safe to drive in heavy rain or floods?
Yes, they are as safe as traditional fuel-powered cars. Electric cars are designed with waterproof battery packs that can withstand certain levels of water exposure. Read more on the safety concerns to use and charge an EV during rains/monsoon
Conclusion:
The future is undeniably electric, but the transition will be gradual. Challenges like high ownership costs and a lack of widespread charging infrastructure are slowing down EV adoption. However, with an expanding charging network, lower battery costs, and government subsidies, adoption rates are expected to rise. If you’re considering switching to an electric car, use unified EV charging apps like EVJoints to locate nearby charging stations and plan long trips with ease.
