The Upcoming Wave - EVs

 Author- Siddhi Sanap - 2172.

Electric vehicles have come in with a fresh and new wave for the people. Electric vehicles are vehicles with one or more electric motors for propulsion. All-electric vehicles, also referred to as battery electric vehicles (BEVs), have an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine. There are 3 types of Electric cars. Battery Electric vehicles (BEVs) are fully powered by electricity. These are more efficient compared to hybrid and plug-in hybrids. The second type is Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV). The vehicle uses both the internal combustion (usually petrol) engine and the battery-powered motor powertrain. The petrol engine is used both to drive and charge when the battery is empty. These vehicles are not as efficient as fully electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles. The Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) uses both an internal combustion engine and a battery charged from an external socket (they have a plug). This means the vehicle’s battery can be charged with electricity rather than the engine. PHEVs are more efficient than HEVs but less efficient than BEVs. The last one is Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Electric energy is produced from chemical energy. For example, a hydrogen FCEV.

The before times of Ev's.

Around 1832, Robert Anderson develops the first crude electric vehicle, but it isn't until the 1870s or later that electric cars become practical. Pictured here is an electric vehicle built by an English inventor in 1884. Photo courtesy of the Smithsonian. This was the first time the concept of the crude electric vehicle came up and the journey till now has many upgrades in it.m The first turning point many have suggested was the introduction of the Toyota Prius. Released in Japan in 1997, the Prius became the world’s first mass-produced hybrid electric vehicle. In 2000, the Prius was released worldwide, and it became an instant success with celebrities, helping to raise the car's profile. To make the Prius a reality, Toyota used a nickel metal hydride battery, a technology supported by the Energy Department’s research. The other event that helped reshape electric vehicles was the announcement in 2006 that a small Silicon Valley startup, Tesla Motors, would start producing a luxury electric sports car that could go more than 200 miles on a single charge. In 2010, Tesla received a $465 million loan from the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office a loan that Tesla repaid a full nine years early to establish a manufacturing facility in California. In the short time since then, Tesla has won wide acclaim for its cars and has become the largest auto industry employer in California. Tesla the new curious attraction of the world on which many questions are raised in our country. Tesla's entry into the country has been on hold since 2019 as India levies a 60% import duty on EVs priced $40,000 or lower. Tesla won’t make it to India if service and sale are not allowed to it as Mr. Elon Musk says in a tweet, his favorite app. 

Benefits and pitfalls 

Electric Vehicles come with their benefits and pitfalls. The benefits are more as it is a sustainable idea. Electric cars are more energy efficient. 

Energy efficiency refers to the amount of energy from the fuel source that is converted into actual energy for powering the wheels of a vehicle. Electric cars are entirely charged by the electricity you provide, meaning you don‘t need to buy any gas ever again. Driving fuel-based cars can burn a hole in your pocket as prices of fuel have gone to all-time highs. The second biggest advantage it brings with it is that it reduces emissions in return which helps to maintain the environment. Air pollution comes under control because they rely on a rechargeable batteries. It does not 57 emit toxic gases or smoke into the environment as it runs on clean energy sources. You‘ll be contributing to a healthy and green climate. Electric vehicles have a smaller carbon footprint than gasoline-powered cars, no matter where your electricity comes from. The electricity that charges and fuels battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles come from power grids, which rely on a range of sources — from fossil fuels to clean renewable energy. Energy grids can vary from one state to another, which means that the carbon footprint of driving an electric vehicle ranges depending on the source of its electricity.

The pitfalls involved are many too but some can be compromised as they say. Electric vehicles need to recharge as they have batteries in them. For the same purpose fueling stations are required which haven’t been set up Electric fueling stations are still in the development stages. Not a lot of places you go to daily will have electric fueling stations for your vehicle, meaning that if you‘re on a long trip and run out of charge, you may be stuck where you are. Also fueling an all-electric car can be an issue. Fully recharging the battery pack with a Level 1 or Level 2 charger can take up to 8 hours, and even fast charging stations take 30 minutes to charge to 80 percent capacity. Electric car drivers have to plan more carefully because running out of power can’t be solved by a quick stop at the gas pump. The median range of electric vehicles has been steadily increasing over the past decade. In 2011, there were just three different models of all-electric vehicles on the market and their ranges on a full charge (according to the US Environmental Protection Agency) spanned from 100 km to 150 km (63 to 94 miles). Today, that number is much higher and sits around 326 km (202 miles) per charge. Electric cars are limited by range and speed. Most of these cars have a range of about 50-100 miles and need to be recharged again. You just can‘t use them for long journeys as of now, although it is expected to improve in the future.

CONCLUSION

The progress that the electric vehicle industry has seen in recent years is not only extremely welcomed, but highly necessary in light of the increasing global greenhouse gas levels. As demonstrated within the economic, social, and environmental analysis sections of this webpage, the benefits of electric vehicles far surpass the costs. The biggest obstacle to the widespread adoption of electric-powered transportation is cost related, as gasoline and the vehicles that run on it are readily available, convenient, and less costly. Additionally, the realization and success of this industry rely heavily on the global population, and through mass marketing and environmental education programs, people will feel incentivized and empowered to drive an electric-powered vehicle. Each person can make a difference in this upcoming wave of - EV's!