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What are the basic principles behind electric car technology?
I’m interested in buying an electric car for the money that it would save me on gas, but I don’t understand how a car powered by electricity could compare to a gas-powered engine. What are the basic principles behind electric car technology?
Allison Stone · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Doing the research on any car before you buy is an important part of the process, but shopping for an
electric car
is a whole new frontier. Being informed about the basic principles of EV technology will help you make a more informed decision, so here’s a quick breakdown:
- Electric cars work like any other rechargeable device. Instead of getting their power from gasoline, you simply plug your electric car into an outlet and its high-capacity rechargeable battery works as its power source.
- The battery transfers power to the motor. When you put your foot on the accelerator, instead of transferring power to an internal combustion engine, the battery sends power to the electric motor.
- The motor turns a drivetrain. Once power makes it to the motor, a drivetrain turns, which then turns the wheels. Some EVs have just one motor or power either the front or back wheel axle, but others have a motor on both axles or one motor for each wheel.
This simple breakdown is just the beginning of what you might want to know about electric cars. If you want to learn more from a team of experts or learn how to save money on your
car insurance
plan, download the Jerry
app.A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, Jerry gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and will even help you cancel your old policy. The average user saves over $800 per year!
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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