An electric vehicle (EV) is a motorized car or truck that uses an electric power-train to drive the wheels. Its battery powers the electric motor, which allows the car to accelerate more quickly than a conventional gasoline-powered engine.
The battery also produces energy to charge and cool the car, and provides a means of connecting to an electrical grid. A battery-powered electric vehicle is one of the most common research subjects for smart grid technologies, such as demand response, EV charging strategies and a range extender (like a generator or a second battery).
How long an EV’s battery lasts depends on how it’s used. For example, many EV owners use their vehicles on the highway to commute, which increases the battery’s wear and tear. In addition, the temperature where an EV is driven affects battery degradation. Batteries exposed to extreme heat degrade faster than batteries that are kept in cold climates.
Another factor is how often the battery is charged and discharged. According to the SLAC-Stanford Battery Center, an EV battery that goes through 1,000 recharge cycles will lose about three times as much capacity as a battery that experiences no charge-discharge cycles at all.
Despite these challenges, EVs are becoming more popular. Several governments are incentivizing their citizens to purchase EVs by offering tax credits or subsidies, and by investing in building a robust public charging infrastructure. The EV’s lower operating costs and less dependency on oil are key benefits for consumers.
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