Battery electric vehicles represent the future of motoring, but what are their benefits? Here’s a handy introduction to BEVs, and how to pick the right one for your needs.
Why buy a BEV?
With the world transitioning towards a cleaner future, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are fast gaining popularity among car buyers who want their car to run on greener energy sources. BEVs are powered by energy derived from the electrical grid, and are therefore more efficient than cars powered on fossil fuels, and emit no exhaust emissions.
BEVs are also more cost effective and economical to run, as the cost of recharging an electric car is generally lower than refuelling a petrol or diesel-powered car, helping you get more distance out of your dollar. Many governments around the world are also offering rebates and incentives to encourage EV adoption, making BEVs more affordable and accessible.
In terms of maintenance, BEVs have few moving mechanical parts, such as engines, gearboxes, exhaust systems, fuel lines, and do not require excessive lubrication. The electric drivetrain itself, like the motors and the batteries, are generally designed to last the lifetime of the car, and require minimal maintenance.
How do BEVs operate?
Battery electric vehicles are powered by electric motors, as opposed to traditional cars which are powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE). An EV’s powertrain consists of single or multiple electric motors, powered by batteries that are fitted onboard the car.
Many EVs are designed to travel up to a maximum range of 300 to 400km on a fully charged battery, which is sufficient for continuous driving for 4-5 hours at 80km/h. On the go, EVs tend to offer quick acceleration, as the torque from the electric motor can kick in almost instantaneously, unlike a regular engine which needs to be kept within a defined power band for the torque to kick in.
The most striking difference you might notice is the lack of noise, given that EVs don’t have an engine. With flat floors, long wheelbases and fewer mechanical parts such a driveshaft or transmission tunnel, EVs offer more cabin space for passengers to lounge in comfort.
This means that you’ll get a truly quiet and refined driving experience, with less vibrations coming into the cabin, for a more comfortable drive.
How are BEVs recharged?
BEV batteries are recharged either with a charging port at home, or at a public charging station. EVs also utilise regenerative braking technology, where the car uses the kinetic energy generated while it is braking, to recharge the battery.
How fast it gets recharged depends on the power output of the charger that you’re using, as well as the charging rate that the EV can take. Most home-based charging systems run on AC power, and can generally charge up an electric car in about six to eight hours, meaning that you can simply plug it in and leave it to charge overnight, with the car getting a full battery in the morning.
DC power charging is generally offered by public chargers, and offer a faster charging rate, varying from between 50kW to 200kW. Depending on your car’s own electrical system and battery size, a DC charger can generally give you around 80 percent charge in under an hour. A larger battery gives you more range, but may also take more time to fully recharge.
The majority of charging infrastructure adopted around the world is the Type 2 or Combined Charging System (CCS) standard, which means that you are unlikely to face compatibility issues regardless of what BEV you drive or where you charge it. Some markets like Japan though use the CHAdeMO standard, which uses a different connector, so do check if your car requires an adapter should the charging requirements differ.
How do I choose the right BEV for my lifestyle?
There are a number of factors to bear in mind when thinking about the right BEV to buy.
The ideal maximum range of the BEV is determined by your driving habits, driving profile and accessibility to public charging stations along your routes.
Lower maximum range BEVs which can run 300km and below on a single charge would be perfect if you make many short trips regularly, drive in cold countries, drive on city roads and motorways and typically cruise, rather than speed.
Higher maximum range BEVs which can clock more than 300km on a single charge give the added boost for longer distance driving, warmer climates, country roads and higher speeds.
If you have the ability to charge your BEV at home or work regularly, you might not need an BEV with an extremely long range or with super fast charging capabilities. However, if you can only charge your EV at public charging stations, then you might want to consider an EV that can gain a significant amount of charge in a short period of time.
Once you’ve taken all those factors into mind, you would have a much clearer picture to choose the right EV for your lifestyle.
