Top 10 EV Buzzwords That Will Make You a Geek

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Electrification of the automobile is one of the most important trends in the auto industry. New technology and solutions lead to better performance, lower maintenance costs, and reduce emissions. Innovative electrified cars are gaining more traction with consumers thanks to a number of new models hitting the market. But what do all these buzzwords mean? If you’re planning on investing in an electric car soon or just know someone who does, this article will help you understand these terms. Let’s take a look at top 10 EV buzzwords that will make you a geek.

 

Battery Pack

A battery pack is a large number of cells connected together, forming the heart of an electric car. The main difference between conventional batteries and those used in electric cars is the type of electrolyte used. In a conventional battery, the electrolyte is made of liquid, but in an electric car battery, the electrolyte is in the form of a paste. 

The difference in electrolyte type is mainly due to the environment in which the batteries are used. Conventional batteries are used in situations where there is easy and frequent access to electricity, such as in homes and offices. Electric car batteries, on the other hand, are used in situations where electricity is not readily available, such as in deserts and other remote locations.

 The battery pack in an electric car is usually large and heavy. Since the weight of a car is a crucial factor in determining its overall performance, electric cars have a disadvantage here.

 However, scientists are working on new technology to improve battery performance, and reduce their weight. These innovations may soon make electric cars as powerful and efficient as traditional internal combustion engine cars.

 

Battery Range

The criterion we use to judge the performance of a battery is the range it gives us between two charges. The range depends on the capacity of the battery and the load on the battery. The capacity of the battery is the amount of energy it can hold and is measured in Watt-hours (Wh). The load on the battery is the amount of power being drawn from the battery and is measured in Watts (W). The range is calculated using the following formula: The range can be affected by driving conditions such as wide open throttle (WOT) and high speeds. In such conditions, the battery is working at its maximum capacity and the range will be reduced.

Regenerative Braking

The concept of regenerative braking dates back to the early days of EVs when a single source of energy was used to power EVs and hybrids. When you apply the brakes in an EV, the kinetic energy is stored in the battery and converted to electrical energy.

 When you want to accelerate, the energy in the battery is converted back to kinetic energy, which increases the car’s speed. The amount of energy transferred from braking to acceleration is less than the amount of energy transferred from braking to charging the battery, which means that braking actually adds to the charge in the battery, instead of reducing it like in a conventional vehicle. 

The amount of energy transferred from braking to acceleration depends on the type of braking system present. In most EVs, the energy is transferred through a system of resistors in order to prevent overheating and damaging the motor. Electric cars also use regenerative braking to a greater extent than conventional vehicles.

 They use a system of capacitors that store the energy in the form of electricity and then release it when needed. This system allows the car to use the energy while braking instead of wasting it as heat.

Charging Curves

There are two types of charging curves: depletion and S-curves. Depletion curves track the depletion of the battery as the amount of energy being added to it is constant. S-curves track the amount of energy being added to the battery at different levels. 

S-curves are important for calculating the rate of charge and the time it will take to charge a particular battery. The best time to charge an electric car is during the off-peak hours when electricity is cheap and available in excess. 

There are many apps and websites that let you look up when the off-peak hours are for your region. It is important to know the best time to charge your car because overcharging the battery can damage it.

 

Supercharger

A supercharger is a high-pressure compressor that increases the volume of air entering the engine of an electric car. It uses electricity generated by the car to drive the compressor.

 The compressor forces extra air into the engine, increasing the amount of fuel that the engine can burn. As a result, the car delivers more torque and can accelerate more quickly. Superchargers are used in most commercial electric cars, as they help reduce the amount of time needed to recharge the battery. 

Superchargers are extremely efficient as they use a very low amount of electricity while delivering a large amount of air. They are also more powerful than the normal compressor used in hybrid cars, making electric cars accelerate much faster.

kW -vs- kWh

The amount of energy stored in a battery is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh). This is the amount of energy released from the battery when it is fully charged. 

The amount of energy that can be drawn from the battery at any given moment is measured in kilowatts (kW). This is the rate at which the battery delivers energy. kW and kWh are important terms to understand when you are buying a car that runs on electricity.

 An electric car with a high kW rating will be able to accelerate faster than one with a low kW rating. However, the car with a higher kW rating will have a lower range because it is drawing more energy from the battery. A car with a lower kW rating will have a higher range but will be slower to accelerate.

 

Electronic Limited Slip Differential (ELSD)

An ELSD is an electronically controlled limited slip differential. This type of differential works the same way as a mechanical limited slip differential. The only difference is that it is powered by electricity instead of being driven by internal combustion. 

The main reason to switch to an ELSD is to reduce emissions. A mechanical differential emits pollution into the atmosphere while the ELSD can be run on clean energy produced by the car’s battery. An ELSD can be added to non-electric cars. This can be a good option for those who want to benefit from the efficiency of an ELSD but do not own an electric car.

On-board charger

The on-board charger is a device that is built into the car’s battery to control the charging rate. It prevents the battery from being overcharged, which can damage the cells. The charger is designed to start the charging process and then stop when the battery is fully charged.

 This is an important feature for electric cars as charging them with a high-power charger can take several hours. By using an onboard charger, you can reduce the charging time to a few hours.

Auto-pilot/ADAS

Automatic driving features are the next big thing in the world of EVs. Tesla has already demonstrated the power of these features and how they can be used in EVs. Autopilot features such as adaptive cruise control, automated lane change, and self-parking have been integrated into Tesla vehicles and are expected to be included in other EVs soon.

 Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) are all the rage these days. These include features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, and adaptive headlights. All of these features can be found in electric cars and can help you drive better and more safely.

Conclusion

The electrification of the automobile is one of the most important trends in the car industry. Innovative electric cars are gaining more traction with consumers thanks to a number of new models hitting the market. But what do all these buzzwords mean?

 If you’re planning on buying an electric car soon or if you know someone who does, this article will help you understand these terms. Let’s take a look at top 10 EV buzzwords that will make you a geek.

 Now you know the basics of what makes an electric car tick. The good news is that most of these features can be found in conventional hybrid cars as well.