When it comes to selling electric vehicles (EVs),
it is essential to know the basics of the vehicle
architecture and how it works so that you can
answer customers’ questions and help them
understand this technology.
A Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) or electric vehicle
(EV) is powered purely by its electric motor, which
is fueled by a large, high-voltage battery which can
store the necessary electrical energy. Let’s look at
the key components of these vehicles.
THE HEART: DIRECT CURRENT (DC) HIGH-VOLTAGE BATTERY PACK
The EV battery pack is the heart of the system, with both high capacity and high power. For example, the Kia Niro EV uses a liquid-cooled battery system for stability and durability, which controls the maximum temperature of the battery and can help prolong its life. Liquid coolants have higher heat conductivity and heat capacity than air, so they’re efficient cooling methods.
THE BRAIN: ELECTRIC POWER CONTROL UNIT (EPCU)
The EPCU acts as the manager of the energy pipeline or gateway from the EV battery pack to the electric motor. When the driver presses the accelerator, the EPCU determines how much power/ energy to send from the EV battery to the motor. Depending on the brake and accelerator pedal position, the EPCU controls regenerative braking power (regenerative braking captures kinetic energy while the vehicle is not accelerating or is braking and sends this energy back to the battery).
THE POWER PRODUCER: ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) ELECTRIC MOTOR
The AC electric motor receives the electricity from the DC EV battery via the EPCU, which inverts the EV battery’s DC electricity to AC electricity so the electric motor can create horsepower and torque.
While gas engines take a few seconds to generate power/ torque in response to the accelerator pedal, electric motors give you that power/torque instantly. The power delivery of an internal combustion engine is based on rpm and typically needs time to accelerate into its “power band”. Electric motors deliver 100% torque at zero rpm.
IT ALL ADDS UP
EVs have fewer moving parts than gas-powered (I.C.E.) vehicles and no engine, oil, or spark plugs, which means the maintenance costs are lower. It costs less to charge an electric vehicle than it does to fuel a gas vehicle. In addition, charging the electric vehicle can be conveniently done at home with a home charging station. Your customer can just plug in and charge-up overnight while they are sleeping, just like they do with smartphones. The bottom line: EVs typically have a better cost of ownership and offer more convenience compared with gas vehicles.
“Switching from a traditional gasoline-powered car to an electric one can be a great way to save money over the life of the vehicle,” according to Consumer Reports1.
THE DRIVING FACTOR: GEAR DRIVE UNIT (GDU)
EVs typically have a single gear transmission (gear drive unit); the gear drive unit (also known as a reducer) serves the same purpose as a transmission in a gas vehicle. It takes power from the electric motor and sends it to the wheels. It is called a reducer because the motor has a far higher rpm than that of a gas engine, so while transmissions change the engine rpm to match the driving circumstance, the reducer must reduce the rpm to an appropriate level. With the reduced rpm, the EV powertrain can take advantage of the resulting higher torque.
USE YOUR RESOURCES
Be sure to check out the latest resources on EVs, including the upcoming online course:
Charge Up Your Knowledge of Kia EVs. These can give you a solid understanding of the
advantages of EVs, the components and key features, and much more.