One of the biggest adjustments one has to make when switching from an Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) car to an Electric Vehicle (EV) is the charging habits. Other than that, the operation of an EV is very similar to that of an automatic ICE vehicle. You get two pedals; one makes it go, the other makes it stop - it's as simple as that.
Related: What is the lifespan of an electric car's battery?
In reviews for EVs and, indeed, some hybrids (vehicles that use both electric motors and ICE powertrain) you will hear about regenerative braking. This is something unique to electrified vehicles and has several benefits.
What is regenerative braking?
Regenerative braking is a function that allows energy to be directed back into the batteries when the vehicle is decelerating. Most EVs will have a setting that will allow you to switch this on or off, and some even allow for varying amounts of regenerative braking. You will notice when it is active as the vehicle will slow down faster than normal when you release the accelerator. It feels very similar to engine braking in an ICE vehicle where the compression in the engine helps slow the car down.
What are the disadvantages or challenges of owning an electric car in South Africa?
By reversing the polarity of the electromagnet, the electric fields generated oppose each other, and this creates resistance. This resistance is strong enough to slow the vehicle down and, in some instances, even bring it to a complete halt. This allows for what is know as Single Pedal Driving where the driver, if they time the release of the accelerator pedal correctly, doesn't have to press the brakes.
Regenerative braking has a wonderful side effect. The reversal of the electromagnetic field's polarity allows the rotation of the motor to generate a current. Modern EVs use this current to feed back a small amount of charge back into the batteries. This helps extend the overall range and makes an EV considerably more efficient in traffic situations where there is equal amounts of acceleration and deceleration.
Which electric cars have the longest range?
Can an EV self-charge?
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) may be able to generate some charge from the regenerative braking, but this isn't enough to charge the battery fully. More power is used to set the vehicle in motion than what is generated bringing it to a stop. The technology is yet to be developed that can allow the regeneration to match the energy expended to drive the vehicle forward.
How does the maintenance and servicing of electric cars compare to conventional cars?
Hybrid vehicles (HEV) have an ICE power unit that can act as a generator in certain instances and this is able to generate enough charge to replenish the energy consumed from a battery pack. In general, HEVs have much smaller battery packs and are designed to use much lower voltages. The 400-volt design of EVs makes this less feasible.
