With the government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution working towards a greener future, electric vehicles are here to stay. Petrol and diesel cars are on their way to being banned in 2030 when you’ll no longer be able to buy them, so it is useful to familiarise yourself with what electric vehicles are.

 

What is an EV?

Electric cars (EVs) are battery operated vehicles that can range from running on partial to full electricity rather than petrol and diesel.

 

How do electric cars work?

In simple terms, the basic workings of an electric car use electricity from the National Grid attained via a charging station. You can choose either public or home charging systems (by which electricity can be accessed via your home renewable energy systems too).

This electricity is then stored into the car’s battery which runs the electric motor via an inverter driving the motor. This, in effect, powers the electric vehicle.

Electric vehicles can also recharge their electric motor via regenerative braking – turning kinetic energy to electrical energy to recharge the battery so it can be stored and used when needed. This occurs when the car is at a halt e.g., braking, waiting at traffic lights.

However, there are different ways of how an electric car works dependent on the type of electric vehicle. So, for a better idea, let’s go through them.

 

Types of electric vehicles

There are three main types of EVs and they all work in slightly different ways.

 

BEVS (Battery Electric Vehicles)

Battery Electric Vehicles are the most common and main type of EV, also known as “pure electric vehicle”. As you can tell from its name, they are 100% electrical and work exactly as explained above.

With BEVs, there is no internal combustion engine (ICE), meaning they produce no emissions and are very quiet. However, due to legal requirements, EVs must make some noise for pedestrian safety to allow them to know when a vehicle is coming.

Due to there being no combustion engine, they also have a high torque, meaning BEVs have high engine response rate reducing the “sluggish” experience when driving.

So, what is their driving range? Battery Electric Vehicles can take you up to 150 miles on a 40kWh battery. However, depending on the size of your battery and the model of your car, it could take you up to 375 miles.

 

PHEVs and HEVs

Plug in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) use both an electric motor and internal combustion engine, however the electric battery can be charged via either an EV plugin charging station or via regenerative braking.

Similarly, HEVs (Hybrid electric vehicles) use both an electric battery as well as an internal combustion engine (ICE). These can either work together (Mild HEVs), use the electric motor for short distances, or the ICE for longer distances (Full HEVs).

For more information on how PHEVs and HEVs work, check out our full guide on hybrid cars detailing the ins and outs of how these EVs work.

 

FCEVs

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) work by hydrogen gas being compressed into a fuel cell sack. This fuel cell sack transforms the hydrogen chemical energy into electrical energy which, in effect, powers the EV’s electrical motor therefore powering up the vehicle.

Unlike normal petrol/diesel fuelled cars, FCEVs do not burn fuel, instead they emit warm air and water vapour.

In terms of their driving range, they can take you more than 300 miles and can fuel quickly – similar to that of a petrol/diesel fuelled car.

 

 

Advantages of electric cars

“Why should I buy an EV?” You may ask. Here are a few reasons why they can be beneficial for you and the future, especially in this climate:

  • Produces 0-low carbon emissions: Using an electrical motor reduces carbon emissions – perfect if you are looking for an economically-friendly ride.
  • High energy efficiency: EVs allow for regenerative braking and usually have a higher torque, meaning they’re more responsive to the movement of the car. This can save more energy, making it more efficient.
  • Low noise: Looking for a peaceful ride with little noise? Most EVs are not as loud as your traditional combustion-fuelled cars, due to them not combusting fuel to drive the motor (apart from mild HEVs). As a result, it gives you peace and quiet, adding to that relaxing drive.

 

 

Disadvantages of electric cars

At Ucan Car Credit, we aim to ensure we are giving you the full overview. So, here are some things you should be aware of before investing in an EV.

  • Price: EVs usually are more expensive in comparison to your average combustion-fuelled cars. This is mostly because the main component of EVs is the electrical motor, which is the most expensive part of the car. However, investing in a used EV is usually a lot cheaper. To find an affordable EV, check out our showrooms and take your pick.
  • Long charging time: Due to EVs needing to be plugged in to charge, it can require some planning ahead of your journey to ensure you have enough charge to last you for your travels and reach your destination. However, this can be helped via installing a home EV charging station whereby you can also receive government funding for up to 75% of the installation cost. This allows you to be able to charge your EV overnight to avoid the range anxiety you may get if you don’t have enough charge.

 

 

Interested in investing an Electric Vehicle?

At Ucan we have a wide selection of used electric vehicles, however, be quick as we have new EVs coming and selling every day. To keep track of all our EVs, check out our showrooms to find the right ride to an eco-friendly future for you.

 

Need some guidance on which is the right EV for you? Take a read of our article on “The Best Used EVs for 2023”.