Cryptic about Electric Car – A Myth versus Reality

 

Earlier to have a car means you are considered to be in a group of elite society.  Feeling so proud!  As we tend to merge in a modern world with technological advancements the car becomes necessities of life.  Ubiquitous, you can see most of the persons have their own personal cars.  It is now the requirement not any more upper crust.

The journey of car has witnessed and seen unfolding from diesel to petrol, then petrol to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and now the modern electric car. Yes, electric car is getting prominence and soon one can see large number of electric vehicles will ply on the road.

Generally, an electric car is driven by one or more electric motors by using stored energy in rechargeable batteries.   While in India, the electric cars will be launched soon, there is already presentiment about these cars – its look and how swiftly we can change the gear, safety, comfort wise or it is worth to buy!

Though people are somehow moonstruck to drive electric cars yet they have to wait. List of the electric cars are coming to India market soon. 

v BMW i8 Roadster [should launch towards the end of this year]

v  Ford Aspire EV

v  Jaguar I-Pace

v  Mahindra eKUV100

v  Maruti Suzuki Wagon R EV

v  Audi e-tron

v  MG eZS

v  Nissan Leaf

v  Renault City K-ZE

v  Renault Zoe

Most of the major car brands are engaged with Electric Vehicle (EV), and they are about to launch new models featuring state-of-the-art technologies.   According to auto experts and industry research suggest that 2025 will be crucial and upend point of electric car.  Those who are experts in Green Energy presumed that there is a possibility of widespread acceptance of electric vehicles instead of petrol-fuelled cars.

As per the Bloomberg New Energy Finance forecast, “Electric cars will comprise one-third of cars worldwide by 2040”.

There is already rapture about electric car and it grabs the attention of everybody but still there are some myths about its capabilities especially how it works during stormy weather, rainy season, etc.

Myth 1: Charging an Electric Vehicle in rainy season is risky

Reality: Fear is quite obvious to charge an EV during rainy season because water conducts electricity.  EV are specifically designed with standard safety norms and it is weatherproof for which the car and human are protected from electrical shock.

Myth 2: Using additional components affects the range of the EV

Reality: It is presumed that accessory components [air conditioner, lights] does affect and eat a lot of charges.  But this is not the case, even in monsoon windscreen wipers, head/tail lamps, have no adverse effect and specially electrical consumptions from these ancillaries is already factored in while designing the battery pack.

Myth 3: Battery recycle is a bit problem

Reality: The batteries for EV is quite new and made of lithium-ion, will add a life well beyond the vehicle.  Generally, EV batteries are lasting long than the vehicle and their recycle rate is around 98 per cent.

Myth 4: EV gets damaged in water down areas

Reality: Since EV has a protection system of Ingress Protection [IP], which saves two elements namely water and dust. Generally, a rating system is based in an electric vehicle, i.e. [IP65] or [IP67].  Higher the number, the better is the protection against these two elements. 

Myth 5: During an accident, EVs are not safe because batteries can be an additional danger

Reality: The batteries have special precautions.  Since it includes the collision detectors, which has the ability to prevision damage to the battery, thereby disconnecting the battery’s fuses; cooling systems to avoid overheating. The battery comes in a protective cell made of steel and aluminium.

Myth 6: EVs are more prone to damage in case of lightning

Reality: Lightning reflects with thunderstorm i.e. untimely occurrences with monsoon and people do fear, it could have an impact on electric vehicle.  But one solely depends on Faraday Effect, means during lightning the current is actually pass down safely into the ground because of the electromagnetic effects on the skin of the vehicle. In fact, the electric cars are less susceptible to any damages in case of lightning strikes.

After a brief rundown of EVs, is someone interested to own a car, then the obvious question comes about its advantages and disadvantages?

There are some noticeable advantages of owning an electric vehicle:

Ø  Electric cars are better for environment.

Ø  They are reticent than gas vehicles.

Ø  Credit of tax available for owners of electric cars.

Ø  In some places special highway lane for electric cars.

Ø  Maintenance is quite low and less expensive.

Ø  It can be a renewable resource, gasoline cannot.

There are a few disadvantages including:

Ø  Battery recharging takes time.

Ø  Model options are limited.

Ø  To find a charging stations at times difficult.

Ø  In general, it is more expensive than gas-powered cars.

Ø  They have shorter range than gas-powered cars.

The most pertinent questions are about public charging stations to help the electric car drivers to manage their daily driving demands and also taking into consideration of charging time -- this needs to be sorted out as and when the new models of electric cars are launched.

                                                      

 

Though weak power and slow charging times are the main barricades and most of the researchers worldwide are working upon it.  Here, researchers [a team of South Korean] have developed charger and battery which can be faster and long lasting that can enliven electric vehicles up to 90 per cent just in six minutes.

With the passage of time, the more and more users’ know-how about an electric vehicle, the likeliness of misconceptions and myths that surrounds one’s mind will somehow decrease.