The Electric Car The Electric Car Introduction Why is the ecar coming back? We are so used to the internal combustion engine (ICE) that we are inclined to think that the electric car is a new idea. In fact, the electric car made its first appearance in the 1880s and by the 1890s there were fleets of electric taxis in London and New York. It is interesting to learn that an electric vehicle held the world road speed record between 1899 and 1902 (106 km/h). However, petrol and diesel engines dominated the scene after that. This was due to technical improvements in the internal combustion engine and the availability of cheap fuel. In this lesson we discuss the evolution of the electric car, the science and technology behind it and the reasons why it is becoming more important to modern life. The battery is the key What is an electric car? An electric vehicle (EV) is a vehicle that uses an electric motor to propel it. Vehicles equipped with only an electric motor are called ‘fully electric’ or pure electric vehicles. Those equipped with both an ICE (internal combustion engine) and an electric motor are called hybrid electric vehicles. Those vehicles with an ICE and which can also be charged from an electrical source are called plug in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). In hybrids, the ICE and the electric motor can be arranged in series or in parallel. In the series configuration the battery powers the electric motor but, when the charge in the battery gets low, the ICE drives a generator that recharges the battery. In the parallel setup either the ICE or the electric motor (or both) can turn the car wheels directly. There are many types of electric vehicle, including trams, trains, trucks and cars. Cars that use electric motors are often referred to as ecars. There are also vehicles that use fuel cells to charge the batteries. These cells convert the chemical energy from a fuel into electricity. Hydrogen is commonly used as a fuel for this purpose. (The most environmentally friendly way of producing the hydrogen is by electrolysis of water using renewable energy sources.) Solar cars also exist. They use photoelectric cells that use sunlight to generate the electrical energy to charge the batteries. The electric motor An electric motor is a device that converts electrical energy into motive force (mechanical energy), either linear or rotational. Rotational force is called torque and the torque produced by an electric motor is instantaneous and constant. This is why electric cars have better acceleration than standard vehicles. Fundamental to the motor’s operation is the fact that when a conductor located in a magnetic field is carrying a current, a force is exerted on the conductor. (Lorentz Force Law) There is no doubt that the ecar is on its way back and there are several compelling reasons for this. Currently, there is serious concern about the reliability and cost of fuel imports. There is also environmental concern about the pollution and greenhouse gases (GHG) caused by exhaust emissions. Aside from these issues, ESB research has shown that drivers find that the ecar provides a very satisfying driving experience. They particularly value the smoothness and comfort of the journey, the silence of the motor and the superior acceleration from standstill. However, the fact that batteries need to be recharged presents a challenge. Drivers of standard cars know that they will be able to refuel easily because of the widespread existence of filling stations. Electric car drivers do not have this confidence on long journeys, a problem known as range anxiety. This is why ESB engineers are installing a national network of charge points. www.esb.ie/chargepointmap S N – + To battery The first battery used in an electric vehicle was the lead-acid battery which was invented in 1859. Everyone is familiar with the fact that batteries become ineffective when they lose their charge and that only some can be recharged. Clearly an ecar battery should be rechargeable. It also needs to deliver enough power to the motor and be light enough for the car to carry effectively. The battery in wide use at present is the lithium ion (Li-ion) battery. These lightweight batteries have the advantage of high energy density i.e. they store more energy per unit of volume than other batteries. Know your batteries An electric battery converts chemical energy into electrical energy. A battery is a collection of cells and each cell contains two electrodes (cathode and anode). These are located in an electrolyte that allows ions to move between them. The electrodes are connected to terminals. The chemical reactions at the electrodes produce an electromotive force (emf) between the terminals. This is the terminal voltage. Batteries that cannot be recharged after they have been discharged are called primary (or disposable) batteries Examples are the alkaline batteries used for many portable devices. Secondary batteries can be charged after discharged and, hence, are known as rechargeable batteries. The lead-acid battery used in standard cars is a common example. Another is the lithium ion battery used in electric cars. The small lithium ion batteries used in portable devices such as mobile phones are very familiar. Batteries are also classified as wet or dry. A wet cell battery has a liquid electrolyte while a dry cell uses a paste as an electrolyte. Charging the batteries ESB has a nationwide charge point network. The charge points are accessed using an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) access card which can be used both in the ROI and Northern Ireland. Some of the public points are Fast Chargers and these provide an 80% charge in approximately 25 minutes, while a full charge on a standard point can take between 1 and 6 hours depending on the model of ecar. Fast Chargers are available approximately every 60 km along motorways and main inter-urban routes to service drivers taking longer journeys. In general, ecars are supplied with a 7-pin plug that is used to charge the battery from public charge points and home charge points; it allows for the controlled and safe charging of the EV. Ecar advan devel regen the br applie energ heat. the IC is tran heat brakin energ to cha Wha The to ecars and ru costs is aro In add electr dema produ At pre renew leadin can b also t Electr night a stor lost fo storin The b to gai of ren more mana future cars m stored to pow (Vehic even the gr Rese sourc fuel c also i peopl the st 100 y minds car jo km, h are co our ro veral out the cern haust t nce. , the efuel ric car own nal ery only geable. ough the unit . odes minal es e, d in attery ble o while e s card the in an ys and n the s for The Electric Car Ecar owners can also take advantage of a technical development called regenerative braking. When the brakes of an ICE car are applied to slow a car down energy is wasted, mainly as heat. In other words some of the ICE car’s kinetic energy is transformed into useless heat energy. Regenerative braking uses this kinetic energy to drive the electric motor as a generator to produce the electricity to charge the batteries. What does the future hold? The total cost of ownership is a measure that is often used to compare ecars with ICE vehicles. This measure includes purchase, maintenance and running costs. An ecar has relatively low maintenance and running costs. ESB estimates that the cost of electricity for charging the battery is around 2 cents per km. This is cheaper than petrol or diesel. In addition, the grant which is currently available for the purchase of electric vehicles makes the cost competitive with standard cars. As demand rises, manufacturers will achieve economies of scale, and production costs will decrease. At present on average 20% of all electricity produced in Ireland is from renewable sources. This will increase significantly over the coming years leading to further decarbonisation of electricity. This low carbon energy can be used to electrify the transport sector to eliminate emissions and also to improve air quality in our cities and towns. Electric cars can also be used to store excess wind power produced at night or during low demand periods. Unless there is additional demand or a storage system in place at these low demand periods, this electricity is lost forever. Ecars present an opportunity to utilise the excess capacity by storing the energy in car batteries with smart charging. About ESB ESB is an energy utility, active in electricity generation, transmission and distribution as well as the supply of electricity, gas and energy services. The company has a regulated asset base of €8.5billion and 42 per cent of Ireland’s electricity generating capacity, including 800MW of renewable generation (wind, hydro and pumped storage). Established in 1927, ESB operates through a portfolio of brands: ESB Networks, Electric Ireland, Northern Ireland Electricity and ESB International. About ESB ecars ESB ecars is responsible for the roll-out of a nationwide charging infrastructure as well as the supporting IT and Communications platforms. There are 1,200 public electric vehicle charge points across the island of Ireland, providing reliable low carbon transport options for drivers. Find out more about ESB at www.esb.ie The benefits go beyond transportation, as the electricity grid is also poised to gain from better utilisation of renewable energy and more effective energy management. Possible future benefits of electric cars may include using this stored energy of the battery to power your home (Vehicle to Home) or to even sell electricity back to the grid (Vehicle to Grid). Research on other energy sources, such as solar and fuel cells, is ongoing. It is ESB’s 32 ecar ambassadors who are taking part in also important to realise that The Great Electric Drive. Follow them on Facebook people are now familiar with and the ESB ecars blog. the standard ICE car for over 100 years. Even if there were no cost issues it would take time for this mindset to change. Another important consideration is that the average car journey in Ireland (and many other countries) is actually less than 20 km, hardly a distance to generate much range anxiety. When all factors are considered, there is little doubt that we will see many more ecars on our roads over the next few years. Find this and other lessons on www.sta.ie The TheElectric ElectricCar Car The Electric Car Syllabus Syllabusreferences references Student StudentActivities Activities Exa Ex The Themain mainsyllabus syllabusreferences referencesforforthe thelesson lessonare: are: 1.1. Investigating Investigatingsimple simplecells cells Leav Lea Read Re Leaving Leaving Certificate Certificate Physics Physics • • Mechanics: Mechanics: Force; Force; Work, Work, Energy, Energy, Power Power • • Electricity: Electricity: Charge, Charge, Potential Potential • • Current Current inin aa magnetic magnetic field; field; motors motors The Theprinciple principleofofthe theelectrochemical electrochemical cell cellisiseasy easytotodemonstrate. demonstrate.AllAllyou you need needisisa aglass glassofofwater waterand anda afew few rods rodsororwires wiresofofdifferent differentmetals metals (copper, (copper,steel, steel,magnesium, magnesium,zinc...). zinc...). Leaving Leaving Certificate Certificate Technology Technology • • Energy, Energy, Electricity Electricity • • Option: Option: Electronics Electronics and and Control Control Use Usea avoltmeter voltmetertotomeasure measurethe the voltage voltageproduced; produced;this thisisistypically typically less lessthan thanone onevolt. volt. Leaving Leaving Certificate Certificate Chemistry Chemistry • • Option Option 2:2: The The Electrochemical Electrochemical Series: Series: Different Different combinations combinations ofof metals metals produce produce different different voltages voltages inin aa simple simple cell. cell. Use Usedifferent differentpairs pairsofofmetals metalsand and record recordthe thevoltage voltageand andthe thepolarity polarityinineach eachcase caseproduced. produced. Junior Junior Certificate Certificate Science Science • • Force Force and and Energy; Energy; Chemical Chemical and and magnetic magnetic effects effects ofof anan electric electric current. current. Science Science and and Technology Technology inin Action Action is is also also widely widely used used byby Transition Transition Year Year classes. classes. vv 2.2. Investigate Investigatethe theeffect effectofofadding addingsome somesalt saltorordilute diluteacid acidtotothe the water. water.The Thevoltage voltagewill willnot notbebechanged changeddramatically dramaticallybut butsince since the theconductivity conductivityisisincreased increasedthe thecell cellshould shouldbebeable abletotodeliver deliver greater greatercurrent currentand andsosohave havemore morepower. power.ToTomeasure measurethe thepower power just justadd adda aresistor resistor(try (try1 1kΩ kΩoror1010kΩ) kΩ)across acrossthe theterminals terminalsofof 2 2 the thevoltmeter; voltmeter;the thepower, power,P,P,isisthen thenequal equaltotoV V /R/R(in(inwatts). watts). On Oncompletion completionofofthis thislesson, lesson,students studentsshould shouldbebeable ableto:to: • • • • • • • • Define Definethe theterm term‘electric ‘electricvehicle’. vehicle’. Distinguish Distinguishpure pureand andhybrid hybridelectric electricvehicles. vehicles. Describe Describethe thefunction functionofofthe theelectric electricmotor. motor. State Statewhy whyimprovements improvementsininelectrochemical electrochemicalstorage storage technologies technologiesare arecritically criticallyimportant. important. • • Identify Identifysome someadvantages advantagesofofthe theecar ecarover overICE ICEvehicles. vehicles. • • Describe Describethe therole roleofofESB ESBininthe thepopularisation popularisationofofelectric electric vehicles vehiclesininIreland. Ireland. General GeneralLearning LearningPoints Points (i)(i) (ii)(ii) (iii) (iii) (iv) (iv) V V= =I.R I.R=>=>I =I =V/R. V/R. 2 2 P P= =V.IV.I= =V V(V/R) (V/R)= =V V /R/R Learning LearningOutcomes Outcomes “ The “ Th was wa sho sh arou ar that th Fara Fa field fie elec ele gen ge His Hi Ada Ad (v)(v) 3.3. Instead Insteadofofusing usinga aglass glassofofwater, water,simply simplyplace placea aselection selectionofof metals metalsononsomeone’s someone’shand handand andcheck checkthe thevoltages voltagesasasbefore. before. If Ifthe theperson personisiswearing wearinga aring ringit itcan canbebeincluded includedininthe the comparison; comparison;you youshould shouldbebeable abletotodistinguish distinguishbetween betweenpure pure gold goldand andalloys. alloys. (vi) (vi) (vii) (vii (viii) (vii Leav Lea True/False True/FalseQuestions Questions a)a) Light Lighttravels travelsfaster fasterthan thanradio radiowaves. waves. Defin De TT FF Desc De b)b) InIna aseries seriese-vehicle e-vehiclethe theengine enginedrives drivesthe thegenerator generatortoto charge chargethe themotor. motor. TT FF InIntht resis res 1.50 1.5 Calc Ca c)c) Lithium Lithiumion ionbatteries batteriesare areused usedonly onlyininmobile mobilephones. phones. TT FF These Theseare areadditional additionalrelevant relevantpoints pointswhich whichare areused usedtotoextend extend knowledge knowledgeand andfacilitate facilitatediscussion. discussion. d)d) Lead-acid Lead-acidbatteries batterieshave havea ahigher higherenergy energydensity densitythan than lithium lithiumion ionbatteries. batteries. TT FF (i)(i) • • Electric Electriccars carswere werepopular popularininthe thelate late19th 19thcentury centuryand andearly early20th 20th century, century,They Theywere weremore morecomfortable comfortableand andeasier easiertotouse usethan thanthe the internal internalcombustion combustionengine enginevehicles vehiclesofofthe thetime. time.However, However,further further development developmentofofthe theICE, ICE,(including (includingthe theelectric electricstarter), starter),and andfast fast refuelling refuellingensured ensuredthat thatthe theelectric electriccar carfell fellinto intodisuse. disuse. e)e) An Anelectric electricmotor motorisislighter lighterthan thanananinternal internalcombustion combustion engine enginedelivering deliveringthe thesame samepower. power. TT FF (ii)(ii) • • The Thefirst firstviable viableelectric electriccar carwas wasbuilt builtininLondon Londonbybyananengineer engineer named namedThomas ThomasParker Parkerinin1884. 1884.He Hewas wasalso alsoresponsible responsibleforfor electrifying electrifyingtram tramsystems systemsand andthe theLondon LondonUnderground, Underground, • • The Thecharge chargepoint pointsystem systembeing beingdeveloped developedbybyESB ESBecars ecarshas has many manysmart smartfeatures featuresincluding: including:measuring measuringand andcommunicating communicating usage usagedata dataand andgiving givingthe theelectricity electricitysystem systemoperators operatorsthe theability ability totocontrol controlEV EVpower powerdemand demandand andreduce reduceororincrease increaseload load depending dependingononrequirements. requirements. f) f) The Theelectric electriccar carwas wasinvented inventedininthe the1980s. 1980s. TT FF g)g) A Amagnetic magneticfield fieldisisa acrucial crucialcomponent componentininananelectric electric motor. motor. TT FF h)h) An Anelectric electricmotor motordelivers deliversconstant constanttorque. torque. TT FF i) i) The TheESB ESBCharge ChargePoint PointNetwork Networkprovides providesaround around200 200 charge chargepoints. points. TT FF j) j) A Afuel fuelcell cellgenerates generatesenergy energybybyburning burninghydrogen. hydrogen. TT FF k)k) Primary Primarybatteries batteriescan canbeberecharged rechargedatatany anytime. time. TT FF Check Checkyour youranswers answerstotothese thesequestions questionsononwww.sta.ie. www.sta.ie. (iii) (iii) The Electric Car Examination ExaminationQuestions Questions Did DidYou YouKnow? Know? Leaving Leaving Certificate Certificate Physics Physics (HL) (HL) 2005, 2005, Q.Q. 1111 • • Ireland Ireland has has many many advantages advantages asas aa location location forfor the the successful successful adoption adoption ofof electric electric vehicles. vehicles. These These include include short short inter-urban inter-urban routes, routes, high high levels levels ofof wind wind power power and and mild mild climate, climate, aa single single service service provider provider and and aa unified unified distribution distribution network. network. Government Government support support is is also also available; available; purchasers purchasers ofof new new electric electric vehicles vehicles can can avail avail ofof grants grants ofof €5,000 €5,000 forfor anan ecar ecar and and €2,500 €2,500 forfor aa hybrid. hybrid. About About 7070 percent percent ofof the the world’s world’s lithium lithium comes comes from from brine brine (salt (salt lakes) lakes) and and the the rest rest from from hard hard rock. rock. • • ESB ESB and and not-for-profit not-for-profit organisation organisation FoodCloud FoodCloud have have teamed teamed upup forfor the the new new Food Food Rescue Rescue Project, Project, which which uses uses anan ESB ESB electric electric car car toto collect collect surplus surplus good good food food and and deliver deliver it to it to local local charities charities in in the the Dublin Dublin city city area. area. 72,000 72,000 meals meals are are expected expected toto bebe delivered delivered in in aa year. year. • • Who Who Killed Killed the the Electric Electric Car Car (2006) (2006) and and The The Revenge Revenge ofof the the Electric Electric Car Car (2011) (2011) are are documentary documentary films films relating relating some some interesting interesting facts facts about about ecar ecar development development (www.youtube.com). (www.youtube.com). • • You You can can find find out out allall about about the the ecar ecar atat www.esb.ie/ecars. www.esb.ie/ecars. Read Read the the following following passage passage and and answer answer the the accompanying accompanying questions. questions. v e e er er wer “ The “ The scientist scientist whose whose research research would would unite unite electricity electricity and and magnetism magnetism was was Michael Michael Faraday. Faraday. HeHe developed developed the the first first electric electric motor motor in in 1821, 1821, showing showing that that aa current current carrying carrying conductor conductor could could bebe made made toto revolve revolve around around aa magnet. magnet. HeHe went went onon toto expand expand onon Oersted’s Oersted’s observation observation that that anan electric electric current current produces produces aa magnetic magnetic effect. effect. Perhaps, Perhaps, Faraday Faraday thought, thought, the the opposite opposite was was also also true: true: aa moving moving magnetic magnetic field field could could generate generate anan electric electric current. current. This This was was toto bebe called called electromagnetic electromagnetic induction. induction. Soon Soon hehe had had created created the the first first electric electric generator, generator, and and everyday everyday lifelife would would never never bebe the the same same again. again. His His experiments experiments with with induced induced currents currents produced produced the the transformer.” transformer.” Adapted Adapted from from Milestones Milestones of of Science; Science; Curt Curt Supple; Supple; 2000 2000 (i)(i) List List three three factors factors that that affect affect the the force force onon aa current-carrying current-carrying conductor conductor placed placed near near aa magnet. magnet. (ii)(ii) What What energy energy transformation transformation takes takes place place in in anan electric electric motor? motor? (iii) (iii) What What is is the the function function ofof aa commutator commutator in in aa dcdc motor? motor? (iv) (iv) Draw Draw aa sketch sketch ofof the the output output voltage voltage from from anan acac generator. generator. (v)(v) How How are are the the slip slip rings rings connected connected toto anan external external circuit circuit in in anan acac generator? generator? e. (vi) (vi) A A transformer transformer and and anan induction induction coil coil can can both both bebe used used toto change change aa small small voltage voltage into into aa larger larger voltage. voltage. What What is is the the basic basic difference difference in in the the operation operation ofof these these two two devices? devices? (vii) (vii) Name Name the the Irish Irish physicist physicist who who invented invented the the induction induction coil. coil. (viii) (viii)Give Give two two factors factors that that affect affect the the efficiency efficiency ofof aa transformer. transformer. Leaving Leaving Certificate Certificate Physics Physics (HL) (HL) 2001, 2001, Q.Q. 1010 Define Define (i)(i) potential potential difference, difference, (ii)(ii) e.m.f. e.m.f. (electromotive (electromotive force). force). FF FF FF Describe Describe anan experiment experiment toto measure measure the the internal internal resistance resistance ofof aa cell. cell. InIn the the diagram, diagram, aa car car battery battery has has anan e.m.f. e.m.f. ofof 13.75 13.75 VV and and anan internal internal resistance resistance ofof 0.08 0.08 Ω.Ω. The The effective effective resistance resistance ofof the the car car headlights headlights is is 1.50 1.50 ΩΩ and and the the effective effective resistance resistance ofof the the starter starter motor motor is is 0.20 0.20 Ω.Ω. Calculate: Calculate: Biographical BiographicalNotes Notes Gaston GastonPlanté Planté(1834–1889) (1834–1889) Gaston Gaston Planté Planté was was aa French French Professor Professor ofof Physics. Physics. InIn 1859, 1859, hehe invented invented the the lead-acid lead-acid cell cell which which formed formed the the first first battery battery that that could could bebe recharged. recharged. His His first first one one was was made made ofof aa roll roll ofof two two sheets sheets ofof lead lead separated separated byby aa linen linen cloth cloth (some (some reports reports say say rubber rubber strips). strips). This This was was immersed immersed in in aa solution solution ofof sulfuric sulfuric acid. acid. Although Although most most famous famous forfor this this invention, invention, in in 1885 1885 hehe had had discovered discovered the the first first fossils fossils ofof aa huge huge prehistoric prehistoric flightless flightless bird, bird, now now named named after after him him (Gastornis (Gastornis parisiensis). parisiensis). His His design design was was further further improved improved byby French French chemical chemical engineer engineer Camille Camille Alphonse Alphonse Faure Faure (1840 (1840 –1898) –1898) who who increased increased the the capacity capacity ofof the the lead-acid lead-acid battery battery leading leading toto their their large large scale scale manufacture. manufacture. FF (i)(i) the the potential potential difference difference across across the the headlights headlights when when they they are are the the only only load load onon the the battery; battery; Revise ReviseThe TheTerms Terms FF (ii)(ii) the the total total current current flowing flowing in in the the circuit circuit while while the the starter starter motor motor is is switched switched on; on; Can Can you you recall recall the the meaning meaning ofof the the following following terms? terms? Revising Revising terminology terminology isis aa powerful powerful aid aid toto recall recall and and retention. retention. FF FF FF FF FF FF (iii)(iii) the the potential potential difference difference across across the the headlights headlights while while the the starter starter motor motor is is switched switched on. on. Acceleration, Acceleration, alkaline alkaline batteries, batteries, anode, anode, cathode, cathode, chemical chemical energy, energy, electric electric car, car, ecar, ecar, electric electric vehicle vehicle (EV), (EV), economies economies ofof scale, scale, electric electric motors, motors, electrolysis, electrolysis, electrolyte, electrolyte, electromotive, electromotive, force, force, emf, emf, emissions, emissions, fuel fuel cell, cell, generator, generator, heat heat energy, energy, hybrid hybrid electric electric vehicle vehicle (PHEV), (PHEV), internal internal combustion combustion engine engine (ICE), (ICE), kinetic kinetic energy, energy, lead-acid, lead-acid, Li-ion, Li-ion, lithium lithium ion, ion, Lorentz Lorentz Force Force Law, Law, magnetic magnetic field, field, mass mass produce, produce, mechanical mechanical energy, energy, motive motive force, force, parallel, parallel, photo photo electric electric cells, cells, pollution, pollution, pure pure electric electric vehicle, vehicle, regenerative regenerative braking, braking, renewable renewable sources, sources, RFID RFID (Radio (Radio Frequency Frequency Identification), Identification), series, series, solar solar car, car, torque, torque, total total cost cost ofof ownership. ownership. Check Check the the Glossary Glossary ofof terms terms for for this this lesson lesson onon www.sta.ie www.sta.ie
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