How Do Electric Cars Work?

Whether you are currently researching for your next car or not, you’ve probably heard about electric vehicles (EV) and even notice that most car manufacturers are coming out with electric models. EVs are exciting as they are a direction to maximize efficiency while maintaining sustainability for the future. But how do electric cars work? Our team at Lithia Hyundai of Reno will go back to the basics to explain how an EV operates compared to a gas-powered model. To do so, we will need to answer these two crucial questions:

• How do electric car batteries work?
• How do electric car charging stations work? 

How Do Electric Car Batteries Work?

At the heart of every EV is its battery. Since EVs are powered by electricity, they use the electricity that is stored in their batteries. The stored electricity will power the electric motor, which moves the wheels as you drive on the Sparks roads. This is the bare-bone idea of batteries in EV, but if you want a more specific answer to the question, “How do electric car batteries work,” you will have to look into the different types of batteries available. For example, ultracapacitors are not batteries in the traditional sense since they store polarized liquid between an electrode and an electrolyte. 

Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of battery in EVs, and you will find them as a lithium-ion polymer battery system in all of the current Hyundai electric models: all-electric Kona, IONIQ 5, and IONIQ ELECTRIC. Besides the lithium-ion battery type, there are also three other main types: nickel-metal hydride, lead-acid, and ultracapacitors. These types vary in terms of accessibility, pricing, temperature performance, and life cycle. In general, an EV battery is expected to last anywhere from 8 to 15 years, though the life cycle is shortened if you live in an extreme climate. 

How Do Electric Car Charging Stations Work? 

If lithium-ion batteries sound familiar to you, it’s because they are also used in a lot of portable electronics that we own, such as laptops and cell phones. Similarly, just like how we have to eventually charge our phones or computers, we also have to do the same for our EV when we use up the stored electricity in the battery. So how do electric car charging stations work? The stations are connected to an electrical outlet and have a plug that we can insert into the charging port of our Fernley ride. 

More specifically, depending on whether you are charging your IONIQ ELECTRIC or Kona at home or at one of the public stations in the area, the type of chargers may vary. When charging overnight at home, drivers will most likely get Level 1 chargers installed as this charger type uses the same standard 120V outlets that are already available in most homes and garages. For faster charging, Level 2 charger is required though it will need more equipment and even installations in some cases to handle a higher-capacity outlet. In public, you can expect to find DC fast chargers for the fastest charging available, so you can get back on your day around Carson City without wasting time!

Discover the Hyundai Electric Power with Lithia Hyundai of Reno 

EVs need their battery to move on the Reno streets and charging stations continue to fuel them after hours and hours of driving. Now that you no longer have to wonder “How do electric cars work?” contact Lithia Hyundai of Reno to learn about the current Hyundai electric lineup! Access power, fuel efficiency, and advanced technology in wallet-friendly SUV or hatchback packages when you switch to the electric side with a Hyundai EV!