EVsBasic Concepts, part 1

EV-102A

This course is presented as part of Evannex Universitya free, open learning environment that presents concise, video-based mini-courses for those who have interest in electric vehicles (EVs)

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Many drivers have absolutely no clue what happens under the hood of the conventional automobile, and yet they love their cars and use them effectively every day.

Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Many drivers have absolutely no clue what happens under the hood of the conventional automobile, and yet they love their cars and use them effectively every day. The same holds true for some EV owners, although I suspect that a higher percentage of EV owners have at least some idea whats going on.

In honesty, theres no real need to develop a deep understanding of the underlying technology to own, drive, and enjoy an EV. But its nice to have a basic understanding, so that you wont be snowed when you encounter EV jargon.

QuestionsHow far does it go?Wheres the gas tank?You plug it in at home?How big is the battery?How is this different than a Prius?

In addition, Its very likely that your family, friends, and acquaintancesnot to mention random people who walk up to you in a mall parking lotwill have questions for you. Lots of questions.>> Simple ones, like those you see on your screen

and more complicated questions that well answer in this and other EVU mini-courses.

But before we do, its not a bad idea to have some basic facts and definitions in your back pocket.

Understanding EV TerminologyThe Battery and ChargingVolts and AmpsKilowatts (kW)Killowatt-Hours (kWh)

Discussion adapted from:

Lets begin with basic EV terminology. Its not at all difficult, but there are a few basic ideas that you should understand.

In conversions about EVs, you run into these simple terms:

>> The Battery and Charging>> Volts and Amps>> Kilowatts (kW)>> Killowatt-Hours (kWh)

A friend and colleague, Nick Howe, >> provides an simple explanation of these ideas is his best-selling book, Owning Model S.

The analogies Ill use on the following slides are drawn from Nicks book.

The BatteryThe heart of the EVA variety of proprietary structuresnot what you see on the right!

>> It's reasonable to state that the battery lies at the heart of every electric vehicle. That's why it's important to understand the battery and the way in which the battery is charged.

>> The internal battery structure is a technical topic better left for more advanced EVU mini-courses. For now, lets understand some basics.

The Battery and ChargingThe battery as a bucketThe bucket can be empty, full, or partly fullCharging an EV is like filling the bucketDriving an EV empties the bucket

>> Nick Howe suggests that the battery is like a bucket that you can fill with water. >> The bucket can be empty, Full, or partly full.

>> Charging an EV is a lot like filling the bucket, and when you drive an EV, it's a lot like emptying the bucket.

>>Of course, you don't fill the battery with water, you fill it with electricity.

And the electricity doesn't come through a water pipe, but rather from the electric grid, then into your house, through a plug into your charging cable, and finally into your EV.

Volts and AmpsVolts are like water pressure. If pressure is high, water will shoot out of a hose at great speed. Likewise, the higher the voltage, the faster electricity will flow. Nick HoweAmps measure electrical current and are analogous to the volume of water that come out of a hose

So how does that happen? Actually there are two electrical terms volts and amps that come into play.I'm sure you've heard them before, but I also suspect that there at least a few of you who don't have a clue what they really mean.

Nick Howe provides the following description of volts in his book:

>> Volts are like water pressure. if the pressure is high, water will shoot out of the hose a great speed. likewise, the higher the voltage, the faster the electricity will flow."

>> Amps are a measure of electrical current and are analogous to the volume of the water that comes out of the hose.

The more amps, the more current is coming through a particular circuit.

And thats important, because the more amps delivered, the faster your battery charges.

SummaryYou need to understand basic concepts so that you can answer questions and follow a discussion of EVs without being lostEV terminology is relatively simpleThe Battery and ChargingVolts and AmpsKilowatts (kW)Killowatt-Hours (kWh)

Our discussion of basic concepts will continue in part 2 of this EVU mini-course.

But before you get there, lets summarize:

>> You need to understand basic concepts so that you can answer questions and follow a discussion of EVs without being lost

>> EV terminology is relative simple>>The Battery and Charging>> Volts and Amps>> Kilowatts (kW)>> Killowatt-Hours (kWh)

Well continue our discussion of these concepts in the part 2 of this EVU mini-course.

a free study guide for all EVU mini-courses is available for download from our website For a complete list of mini-courses and the study guide, visit: www.evannex.com

OlharesRouletBeats d'Amor, track 12014-05-18T14:02:41118051.055OlharesRouletBeats d'Amor, track 12014-05-18T14:02:41118051.055