How Electric Cars Work: The Basics
Electric Vehicles (EVs) have come a long way in recent years. What was once a niche choice for early adopters, is now a serious contender for anyone looking to buy a new or used car. But what actually makes them tick? How do they move without a drop of petrol or diesel?
Electric Vehicles: An Intro
At their core, electric cars use electricity stored in a battery to power an electric motor. The motor then drives the wheels, propelling the car forward. It’s a simple concept and that simplicity is part of what makes EVs so efficient and easy to maintain. Instead of an engine, gearbox and fuel tank, electric cars rely on a handful of key components working together seamlessly. Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on beneath the bonnet.
Components of an Electric Car
An electric car is built around a few main parts, each with its own vital role in how the car performs and operates.
Battery Pack - The heart of the car. This stores the electricity that powers everything from the motor to the air conditioning.
Electric Motor - Converts electrical energy into mechanical energy to move the car. Some EVs even have more than one motor to drive different wheels, improving traction and performance. One of the biggest advantages of electric motors is instant torques. Unlike petrol engines, which need to rev up before reaching peak power, electric motor deliver maximum torque immediately. This means quicker acceleration, smoother performance and a more responsive drive.
There are two main types of motors used in EVs:
- AC (Alternating Current) Motors - Efficient and Powerful, found in many mainstream EVs.
- Permanent Magnet Motors - Often used in performance oriented electric cars due to their high power output.
- Because electric motors have fewer moving parts than traditional engines, they’re less prone to wear and tear, meaning lower maintenance costs in the long run.
Charging an Electric Vehicle
Charging an EV is straightforward, but the speed and convenience depend on how and where you charge. Home Charging is the most common and convenient option for many EV owners. With a dedicated wall box charger, you can plug in overnight and wake up to a full battery every morning.
Public Charging Networks are growing rapidly across the UK, with thousands of chargers available at supermarkets, motorway services and town centres. These include rapid chargers that can add around 80% of charge in as little as 30 minutes, depending on the vehicle.
Charging Speeds Explained:
- Slow (3-7kW): Ideal for home charging, usually overnight.
- Fast (7-22kW): Found in public car parks and workplaces.
- Rapid (43-350kW): For long trips, offering the quickest top ups.
Most electric cars also allow you to use apps or in car navigation to locate nearby charging points and monitor your charging progress in real time.
Benefits of Electric Cars
Switching to an electric car comes with plenty of benefits, for both drivers and the planet.
- Power Inverter - Transforms the battery’s DC (direct current) power into AC power, which the motor can use.
- Charging Port - The connection point where you plug in your car to charge it, whether that’s at home or at a public charging station.
- Controller - The ‘brain’ of the operation. It regulates how much power goes from the battery to the motor, adjusting the car’s speed and torque depending on how you drive.
These components work together to deliver smooth acceleration, quiet operation and instant torque, one of the most distinctive features of driving an EV.
The Role of Batteries in Electric Cars
Batteries are the lifeblood of every electric vehicle. Most modern EVs use lithium-ion batteries, similar to those in smartphones and laptops, but on a much larger scale. These batteries are designed to hold a lot of energy in a compact space and can be recharged hundreds, even thousands, of times over their lifespan. The capacity of a car’s battery, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), determines how far it can travel on a single charge.
For example, smaller city EVs might have a 40kWh battery, offering around 150 miles of range, while larger models or premium electric SUVs can have batteries over 80kWh, pushing ranges well beyond 300 miles. EV batteries are also equipped with sophisticated thermal management systems that keep them operating at the right temperature, not too hot, not too cold, to maintain performance and longevity.
When batteries reach the end of their useful life in a vehicle, they can often be repurposed for home energy storage or recycled for new batteries, helping reduce waste.
Understanding Electric Motors
At the centre of an electric car’s driving experience is the motor, a marvel of modern engineering. Electric motors use electromagnetism to generate motion. When electric current flows through coils of wire inside the motor, it creates a magnetic field that interacts with magnets on a rotor, making it spin. That spinning motion is transferred directly to the wheels, propelling the car forward.
- Lower Running Costs - Electricity is cheaper than petrol or diesel, especially if you charge at home overnight on a reduced tariff. EVs also have fewer mechanical parts, meaning less money spent on servicing and maintanence.
- Smooth, Quiet Drive - Electric motors are almost silent, making every journey calmer and more relaxing. Plus, with no gears to shift, the drive feels effortless.
- Instant Performance - EVs deliver instant torque, giving you quick acceleration right from the start. Many electric cars are surprisingly nippy, even the family friendly ones.
- Zero Tailpipe Emissions - Electric cars don’t produce exhaust fumes, helping improve local air quality and reduce your carbon footprint.
- Government Incentives and Benefits - There are also perks like lower road tax, reduced congestion chargers and access to certain low emission zones, depending on where you live.
Environment Impact of Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicles are a key part of the shift towards a more sustainable future. By running on electricity rather than fossil fuels, they significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, particularly in urban areas. Of course, it’s important to acknowledge the environmental cost of producing EV batteries. Mining and manufacturing require energy and resources, but as renewable energy sources become more widespread and recycling technology advances, the overall footprint of EVs continues to fall.
In fact, studies show that, even when you factor in production, electric cars emit significantly less CO2 over their lifetime compared to petrol or diesel models. As the UK continues to expand its changing infrastructure and shift towards cleaner energy generation, driving electric will only become greener.
Final Thoughts
Electric cars represent one of the biggest leaps forward in automotive technology in decades. With their innovative design, low running costs and positive environmental impact, they’re transforming the way we think about driving. Whether you’re exploring new electric cars across brands like Audi, Volkswagen or Honda, or searching for a great value used EV with Motor Match, Swansway Motor Group is here to help you find the right car for your lifestyle.