Future of Electric Vehicles Types
Electrification has been deemed the best way forward with many manufacturers relying on rapid expansion of their electrified vehicle (xEV) portfolio in years ahead to reduce harmful emissions. While some carmakers are going the whole hog on battery electrics, others believe hybrids to be the perfect bridge approach to electrification. Hydrogen fuel cells are also being touted as a solution.
Over the following article, you will read what each type of xEV is like and entire electrified range including battery the battery electric EQ, fuel cell vehicle as well as all forms of hybrids.
Different electric vehicles types with functions
BATTERY ELECTRIC VEHICLES
We’ll start with the darling of industry watchers and policy makers – battery electric vehicles (BEV). The vehicles feature a full-electric drivetrain that draws power from a battery pack. Forget tailpipe emissions – and even tailpipes for that matter. What’s often highlighted is indirect carbon footprint – they are only as clean as the source of their electricity. In India, where 70 per cent of electricity generation is from fossil fuels, BEVs aren’t as green as they’re made out to be.
A limited driving range, long charging time and absence of adequate charging infrastructure has slowed down the adoption of EVs in India. And a significant portion of the cost of a BEV comes from the battery pack, which offers no resale value attributed to the raw materials. Other core components which are similar to the powertrain, traction motor and power control unit account for another cost burden. However, the same subsystems ensure that BEVs are always smaller than similarly sized combustion-engined cars.
HYBRIDS
With pure EVs posing numerous challenges, another way to go about electrification is hybridisation. Hybrid electric vehicles join two power sources – an internal combustion engine and an electric drivetrain – which provide motive power. Hybrids can be further categorised based on degree of electrification. Micro hybrids with auto start-stop function limit emissions during idling, saving engine life besides improving fuel efficiency. However, owing to limited aid from the electrical system, it remains a grey area for being termed as hybrids.
The e-motor in mild hybrids, like Toyota Glanza, can assist the engine by providing additional torque in short bursts. Functions like regenerative braking and auto start-stop also lead to noticeable gains in economy.
However, with a fairly limited battery capacity, the motor cannot move the car independently. To take the level of electrification further, Toyota brings us to strong hybrid electric vehicles like Toyota Prius and Camry Hybrid. These cars use an electric motor that can work independent of each other, as well as together. The motor alone handles propulsion in situations such as low-speed driving, while the combustion engine is
Battery. Akin to a BEV, only the motor powers the wheels, utilising charge from the battery pack. The advantage of such an arrangement is that the engine can operate at its most efficient point, since it isn’t directly providing the motive force. And having an on-board powerplant for the battery pack ensures that range anxiety won’t be a concern.
In a way, the more powerful variety of hybrids are the missing link between pure combustion engine cars and full EVs. These hybrids sit bang between the two when it comes to tailpipe emissions and technology, which make them particularly appealing in the India scheme of things. If they catch on, powerful hybrids can create demand for electrified technologies, encourage localization of core components like motors and batteries, and bring down costs which, in turn, can aid a smooth transition to greater BEV adoption further down the line. But for hybrids to catch on, the price increment to a combustion engine car needs to come down first. Government incentives could open the doors.
FUEL CELL VEHICLES
Another up and coming technology in certain markets like Japan is the fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV). In addition to having generic components like an e-motor and battery, an FCEV packs in a hydrogen storage tank and fuel cell stack. Utilising hydrogen and oxygen (air), fuel cells generate electricity to power the motor, with the only by-product being water.
With zero emissions, high driving range and quick refuelling capabilities, FCEVs possess immense potential. However, the use of hydrogen as a fuel introduces new roadblocks – hydrogen production isn’t widespread, and storage and transportation of the high-energy gas can be difficult.
THE BIG PICTURE
An overview of the different forms of electrification reveal each technology has its own merits and demerits. While a solution may be suitable to a specific segment of the market, there is no one silver bullet to combat our emission woes. Still, the case for going the hybrid route appears the strongest simply for its wider impact on the electrification ecosystem. Attempting to pole vault straight to full electrics might be biting off more than we can chew.
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