Welcome to EV Equity University! This is a library of informative educational content about all things EV.
EV Education Series
Episode 1 - Electric Vehicle Charging 101
Dive into the world of electric vehicle charging as we break down the basics. With EVEU, you can explore different charger types, get essential tips for seamless charging, and determine how much it will cost to charge your EV. Whether you’re new to the electrified lifestyle, or a seasoned EV owner, this quick guide will supercharge your knowledge and keep you confidently on the road.
Episode 2 - Coming soon
Myth Busters
"Electric vehicles are worse for the climate than gasoline-powered vehicles because of the production process "
Electric vehicles are great for the environment because they help reduce global warming. However, when we manufacture these vehicles, especially their batteries, it can have some environmental effects. The production of EV batteries requires specific materials, and obtaining these materials can impact air and water quality, raising concerns about the environmental footprint.
To address these concerns, researchers and manufacturers are actively working on making the production process of EVs more environmentally friendly. They’re exploring ways to source materials responsibly, reducing the impact on air and water quality. Additionally, advancements in recycling methods are being developed to manage and reuse materials from old batteries, minimizing waste and environmental impact.
Despite these initial impacts, the overall impact of EVs on the environment is positive. Once these cars are on the road, they contribute significantly less to pollution compared to regular cars. Essentially, the environmental benefits of driving an EV outweigh the environmental costs associated with their production
"Electric vehicles are more likely to catch fire than gasoline-powered vehicles"
Inside an electric car, there is a lithium-ion battery. These batteries are like the powerhouses that make the car go.
Now, people might worry about electric cars catching fire, but it’s important to know that these incidents are rare, especially during normal driving. The main concern is if something really serious happens, like a significant car crash or if the car gets exposed to extreme conditions like being submerged in water during a flood.
In those rare situations, the lithium-ion batteries could get damaged. When a battery is damaged, it might get hot, and in some cases, release gases that could catch fire. It’s a bit like when your phone or laptop battery malfunctions, but on a larger scale.
However, car manufacturers are well aware of these risks, and they design electric cars with safety features to minimize the chances of such incidents. For example, they use materials that can contain any potential issues and prevent them from spreading.
Scientists and engineers are always working to improve these batteries and make electric cars even safer. As more people use electric cars and we gather more information about how they perform in different situations, we can keep making advancements in technology to reduce risks and enhance safety.
"Electric vehicles are more expensive than gasoline-powered vehicles"
When comparing costs between these vehicles, the first hurdle is the vehicle’s upfront cost. Electric cars can cost more than regular cars upfront mainly because the special batteries they use are still quite expensive to make. There aren’t as many electric cars being made yet, so they don’t benefit from the big discounts that come with producing lots of cars like gas vehicle manufacturers do. Right now, there aren’t as many different types of electric cars to choose from, but as more people want them, there will be more options, and in turn, help lower the prices. Even though electric cars seem more expensive upfront, they are cheaper in the long run because they need less maintenance like no oil changes, and cheaper fuel. With fewer parts that can break, electric cars often have lower repair costs, making them a money-saver over time compared to regular cars.
Definitions
Vehicle Types
Hybrid (HEV)
Has a regular gas-powered engine and a very small 1-2 kWh battery that is charged by regenerative braking, so it can’t be plugged in. The vehicle is fueled with gasoline to operate the internal combustion engine Hybrids are powered by an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors that uses energy stored in a battery. This enhances the car’s fuel performance but does not allow for electric only driving.
Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV)
Plug-in Hybrids are defined as a vehicle that is gas and battery powered, but the battery is significantly larger and can be charged by plugging into a standard outlet in your garage. To support a driver’s typical daily travel needs, most PHEVs can travel between 20 and 40 miles on electricity alone, and then will operate solely on gasoline, like a conventional hybrid. In the hybrid mode, PHEVs can get anywhere from 400 – 600 miles of total range. When the battery runs out, the gas engine takes over and the car operates the same as a regular hybrid until you plug it in and recharge the battery. Charged by level 1 or level 2 chargers only.
Battery Electric (BEV)
Has no gas engine and instead has a large electric battery that powers the electric motors. They produce zero tailpipe emissions. BEVs are charged by plugging into a level 1, 2, or 3 charger. Most new BEVs have a range of 200-300 miles.
Charging Connectors
J1772
Level 1 and Level 2 charging standard for all non-Tesla EVs sold in North America.
CHAdeMO
Created for EV fast-charging by the Japanese auto industry affiliated CHAdeMO Association in 2010. While some Japanese brands still use CHAdeMO connectors, like old Nissan Leaf models, the connector is no longer used.
North American Charging Standard (NACS)
Designed to accept any voltage, which allows owners to effortlessly transition from Level 1, to Level 2, to plugging into Tesla’s Supercharger network. NACS is standard issue for Teslas, but are becoming the national standard on most EVs from 2024 forward.
Combined Charging Systems (CCS)
The most common type of DC fast charging connector. When you look at a CCS plug, it looks a lot like a J1772 plug, but with two additional power lines at the bottom. This creates a high-voltage connection that boosts the power output for fast charging. CCS is used internationally by electric vehicle manufacturers.
Electricity
Direct Current (DC)
Electricity is like a flow of tiny particles called electrons. Direct Current, or DC is like a straight and steady flow of these electrons, moving in one direction, like water flowing in a straight line down a river.
When you use a DC charging station, the conversion from AC (from the grid) to DC happens within the charging station—allowing DC power to flow directly from the station and into the battery.
Alternating Current (AC)
Alternating Current, or AC is like a flow of tiny particles called electrons. With AC, electrons are moving back and forth, changing directions super quickly.
Power that comes from the grid is always AC, because it’s good at traveling long distances. However, batteries, like the one in your EV, can only store power as DC. A converter is built inside the car called the “onboard charger”. It converts power from AC to DC and then feeds it into the car’s battery.
This conversion process slows the flow of energy to your vehicle, which is why using an AC charger takes longer.
Watts
Kilowatt-hours (kWh)
In an electric car, the size of its battery, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), determines how much electricity it can store. A 60 kWh battery means it can hold 60 units of electricity. Charging the car is like filling up its electricity tank.
A larger battery capacity allows the car to store more electricity. When driving, the car uses the stored electricity, and the more kWh the battery can hold, the farther the car can go before needing to recharge. Kilowatt-hours help us understand the car’s energy capacity.
When discussing kWh in charging speeds, it helps gauge how fast the electric vehicle’s battery is charged or how much energy is added during a charging session. Charging speed is vital in determining the time it takes to refill the energy in the car’s battery. For instance, a Tesla Model 3 with a 50 kWh battery requires 50 units of electricity to fully charge. Most electric vehicles typically take between 35 to 60 kWh to achieve a full charge.
Watt
Think of a watt as a unit that measures how much power or energy something uses or produces. In the case of an electric vehicle (EV), it’s like the horsepower of a car but for electric power. So, when we talk about the wattage of an EV, we’re essentially talking about how much electrical power its motor can generate to make the car move.
in the world of EVs, watts are a measure of the electrical power that drives the motor, determining how zippy and efficient your electric ride can be. The more watts, the more powerful and potentially faster your electric vehicle is!
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