Electric Vehicle Myths & Facts
Here are a list of commonly misunderstood myths associated with an electric vehicle
- Myth : Switching to an electric vehicle will just mean that the same amount of pollution comes from the electricity generation
Fact : According to a range of studies doing a ‘well to wheels’ analysis, an electric car leads to significantly less carbon dioxide pollution from electricity than the CO2 pollution from the oil of a conventional car with an internal combustion engine.
According to a 2007 study by the American organization - Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), PHEVs will reduce greenhouse gases and other emissions, even if the source of electricity is mostly coal.
Electric vehicles have the lowest overall energy conversion losses.
In an electric vehicle, chemical energy is stored in a battery. Lithium-ion batteries are used because of high energy density. Converting the chemical energy to free electrons (electrical energy) can be greater than 90% efficient – some energy is lost to heat in cells and other battery pack components such as current conductors and fuses. Overall, drive efficiency of an EV is close to 80% - almost three times more efficient than an internal combustion powered vehicle.
Compare that to an Internal Combustion Engine, chemical energy is stored as petrol in a conventional car. Combustion is used to convert the chemical energy into thermal energy. Pistons convert the thermal energy to the mechanical work that turns the wheels. The conversion process is, at best, 35% efficient. The majority of the energy stored in the gasoline is lost as heat.
As utility companies build more efficient power plants and bring more renewables in our grid, the efficiency will significantly increase. In turn, the overall vehicle efficiency increases to levels never to be recognized by internal combustion technology.
Graphic source - www.TeslaMotors.com
The graphic on the right illustrates the propulsion technology in an electric powered drive-train and an internal combustion engine.
The graphic on the right illustrates the propulsion technology in an electric powered drive-train and an internal combustion engine.
- Myth : Switching to an electric vehicle will ensure that the electricity grid will collapse
Fact : Even if the majority of drivers switched to electric, the existing electrical grid's off-peak/nighttime capacity for power generation is sufficient without building a single new power plant. Studies have shown that electric vehicle owners will largely charge their vehicles at night when there is plenty of capacity on the grid.
- Myth : Electric car batteries pose a recycling problem
Fact : The newer batteries for electric vehicles, such as those made of lithium-ion, include even more valuable and recyclable metals and will have a life well beyond the vehicle. The battery pack material can be recycled to produce an alloy which can further be refined into cobalt, nickel, and other valuable metals as well as special grades of concrete.
- Myth : Electric vehicles will just fail as there are very few models/options to choose from
Fact : While there are a lots of options in the E-Bike segment. When it comes to the electric car, there is just 1 model to choose from The Mahindra e2o (as of 2013). Mahindra have announced that they will launch The Mahindra Verito electric sedan in 2014. Hyundai, Nissan, GM can all launch the i10 electric, The Nissan Leaf, The Chevrolet Spark EV in the coming years. This can spur other Indian manufacturers like Tata Motors and Maruti to launch electric vehicles.
With higher petrol prices and climate change worrying many consumers, stricter fuel economy standards for new vehicles required of auto manufacturers, and billions of public and corporate dollars being spent on an EV infrastructure and research in the US, Europe, Japan and China. Our own Indian government has announced The National electric mobility mission plan 2020, where they are planning to provide support to the tune of Rs 13000 – Rs 14000 Crore over the next 5-6 years to the automobile industry, the consumers etc. So we can expect support from our government very soon.
The EV wave is coming. That is the fact.
- Myth : My Battery will run out and i shall get stranded
Fact : It is true that fueling an electric vehicles takes a different type of planning than for longer range conventional cars. However, the majority of drivers in the drive less than 40 km each day, sufficient for a fully charged pure electric vehicle (most can go 60 to 110 km on one charge) .
Most people will charge at home. However, in the future we will have public chargers. There will be fast-charging stations along highways and in public places that can re-charge a car/bike to 80% of battery capacity in less than 30 minutes. Also battery technology will improve to provide a higher range value to alleviate 'range anxiety'.
- Myth : The charging infrastructure must be built before people will adopt EVs.
Fact : The charging infrastructure is already developed. All you need to power your EV is an electric socket at home. Most charging will be done at home, so a public charging infrastructure isn’t a prerequisite. Still, a robust infrastructure will help, especially for apartment dwellers and those regularly driving long distances
- Myth : Charging an EV on solar power is still science fiction.
Fact : The technology to power your EV with solar power is already available. The investment in solar panels pays off faster when the solar power is not only replacing grid electricity, but replacing much more expensive petrol. Mahindra offers the Sun2Car option for an investment of about Rs 1 Lakh to charge the Mahindra e2o. Charging an E-Bike on solar power will be an easier option.