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What Is Auto Electrification And How It Works?

What Is Auto Electrification And How It Works? - Thumbnail Image

The development of the automotive industry is heavily dependent on how automobiles function, especially the automation and electrification of these vehicles. Lately, an increasing need for advanced automation and sustainable innovation has been noticed, with vehicle electrification taking up the spotlight. Let’s understand what auto/vehicle electrification is and how it’s crucial in leading sustainable innovation. 

What is Automotive Electrification?

Vehicle or auto electrification is focused on transitioning automobiles from the traditional internal combustion drivetrain/powertrain to electric powertrains. It also focuses on additional systems such as on-board and off-board charging systems and wireless power transfer. 

Automotive electrification covers many other functionalities existing in a conventional (non-electric) vehicle. These include but are not limited to electronic power-assisted steering, intelligent light system, rearview camera, blind spot monitoring, and airbag deployment system.

How does Vehicle Electrification Work?

The main goal of vehicle electrification is to swap out the internal combustion engine (ICE) for an electric powertrain. It helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, furthering greener transportation.

In a usual setup, a traction battery pack stores energy, which is then used to power the electric motor. When the vehicle slows down or brakes, the energy is sent back to the battery through a regenerative braking system, making the entire process more efficient. There are different kinds of motors commonly used in electric vehicles, as mentioned in the table below:

Sr. no. Electric motor Usage
1. Brushless DC motor (BLDC motor) Lightweight two-wheeler and three-wheeler EVs like electric scooters and electric motorcycles
2. Permanent-magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) High-performance electric motorcycles, electric cars, and electric buses
3. AC induction motor (ACIM) Two-wheeler and four-wheeler EVs
4. Interior permanent magnet Motor (IPMM) High-performance, two-wheeler electric motorcycles
5. Permanent-magnet switched reluctance motor (PMSRM) Four-wheeler EVs

 

EV Charging in India

For an EV, there are three levels of charging – Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. 

Level 1: The vehicle is plugged into a 120-volt AC home outlet via an on-board charger. On average, this takes 17 hours to charge a car. 

Level 2: The vehicle is plugged into a 240-volt power source at home or an outside charging station. This takes 3.5 to 7 hours to charge.

Level 3: It involves a standalone DC fast-charging unit based on a 480-volt system. Consumers must take the vehicle to a standalone charging station, much like taking a car to a gas station, as it is not suitable for home installation.

Electric charging stations in India are developing in major metropolitan cities. For example, in Mumbai, BMC-owned electric charging stations charge Rs. 14 per unit to charge an EV. Depending on the electric vehicle, it may cost around Rs. 200 to Rs. 400 for a full charge.

Additionally, car batteries of EVs sold in India generally have a 3 to 10-year guarantee or a 36,000 – 1,60,000-mile guarantee. Pioneering the EV energy transmission industry in India are key players like TATA Power, JSW Energy, and Adani Transmission.

Types of Electric Vehicles

Currently, there are four types of electric vehicles. They are as mentioned below:

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

BEVs are also known as All-Electric Vehicles (AEV). Electric vehicles using BEV technology run entirely on a battery-powered electric drivetrain. The electricity used to drive the vehicle is stored in a large battery pack. This battery pack can be charged by plugging into the electricity grid and then used to provide power to one or more electric motors to run the electric car.

Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV):

HEVs are also known as series hybrid or parallel hybrid. They use an IC engine and an electric motor, where the latter derives power from the electricity stored in a battery pack. The key difference separating pure EVs from HEVs is that the battery pack of the latter is charged through regenerative braking and engine power, and not the regular electric charger. 

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV): 

PHEVs, also known as series hybrids, are an extended form of HEVs. They comprise an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. However, unlike standard HEVs, the electric motor in a PHEV is larger, more powerful, and receives power from a chargeable battery. PHEVs can run in two modes, namely:

  • All-electric mode: The electric motor offers power to drive the vehicle.
  • Hybrid mode: The internal combustion engine and the electric motor work together to drive the vehicle.

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV):

FCEVs are also known as zero-emission vehicles. In contrast to other electric vehicles, FCEVs produce electricity using a fuel cell powered by hydrogen, rather than drawing electricity from just a battery. This hydrogen fuel gets converted into electricity through the fuel cell stack and in turn, charges the battery pack. Note that the amount of energy stored onboard is determined by the size of the hydrogen fuel tank. 

Summing Up

EVs not only offer a smoother driving experience compared to conventional vehicles but also contribute to cleaner air by eliminating pollutant emissions. With their ability to optimise electrical systems for better efficiency and performance, EVs are only growing in demand. As vehicle electrification sees a stable rise, it pushes the envelope for sustainable solutions and greener transport. Adopting EVs then becomes a crucial step in reducing global carbon footprint and moving towards an eco-friendly future.

FAQs

What are the Types of Electrified Vehicles?

There are different types of electric vehicles, namely Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), and Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV).

What is the Difference between EV and BEV?

Battery Electric Vehicles, also called BEVs are electric vehicles (EVs). They are one of the different types of electric vehicles. 

What are the Levels of Electrification of EV?

There are three main levels of EV electrification. These are Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. 

Level 1: The vehicle is plugged into a 120-volt AC home outlet via an on-board charger. On average, this takes 17 hours to charge a car. 

Level 2: The vehicle is plugged into a 240-volt power source at home or an outside charging station. This takes 3.5 to 7 hours to charge.

Level 3: It involves a standalone DC fast-charging unit based on a 480-volt system. Consumers must take the vehicle to a standalone charging station, much like taking a car to a gas station, as it is not suitable for home installation.

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