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Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Gustave Trouvé's electric tricycle, the first electric vehicle in history to be displayed to the public.

These notes focus on all-electric vehicles, not hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

Electric Vehicle Types

Metrics & Terminology

The important metrics for electric vehicles are:

  • power output
  • battery capacity
  • efficiency
  • range
  • charge rate

Power Output

We measure power output in kilowatts (kW), not horsepower (hp).

  • 1 kW is about 1.34 hp
  • 100 hp is about 74.57 kW

Battery Capacity

We measure battery capacity in kilowatt hours (kWh).

  • 1 kWh is about 3.6 megajoules (MJ)
  • 1 gallon of gasoline is about 33 kWh, or 120 MJ
  • 1 gallon of kerosene is about 37 kWh, or 134 MJ
  • 1 gallon of diesel is about 38 kWh, or 137 MJ

Efficiency

We measure efficiency in kWh per 100 km or 100 miles. For example, a Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD (all wheel drive) gets:

  • 18 kWh per 100 km (62 mi)
  • 29 kWh per 100 mi (161 km)

Range

We measure range in kilometers (km) or miles (mi). A 1st generation Nissan Leaf had about 100 km (62 mi) of range, more in the summer, less in winter. A Tesla with a 100 kWh battery can drive over 300 miles.

Charge Rate

We measure charge rate in kilowatts (kW). For example, you might expect to receive 100 km (62 mi) of range in about:

  • 8 hours at 3 kW
  • 2 hours at 22 kW
  • 30 minutes at 50 kW
  • 10 minutes at 100 kW

Charge rate depends on your power supply, which can be:

  • AC (alternating current)
    • single phase AC
    • three phase AC
  • DC (direct current)

Charging stations

Voltage and amperage vary between charging stations. AC offers lower amperage than DC.

  • Level 1: Uses a 120 volt AC outlet
  • Level 2: Uses a 240 volt AC outlet
  • Level 3: Not officially defined, but used colloquially to mean DC fast charging

Plug/Connector Types

Charging Networks

  • Chademo offers 400kW (400A x 1kV), and is a joint venture between
    • Hitachi
    • Honda
    • Mistubishi
    • Nissan
    • Panasonic
    • Subaru
    • Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO)
    • Toyota
  • Electrify America offers Level 2 and Level 3 chargers with Type 1, CCS, and Chademo connectors
    • Volkswagen Group is building the network
    • Audi, Ford, and ChargePoint have agreements to use the network
  • Ionity offers 350 kW, and is a joint venture between
    • BMW
    • Daimler
    • Ford
    • Volkswagen Group
  • Tesla Superchargers use the Combo 2 connector in Europe, and a proprietary connector in North America.
    • Tesla Level 2 chargers can provide 150 kW
    • Tesla Level 3 chargers can provide 250 kW

Powertrain

Car platforms

Production Electric Vehicles

The numbers after each vehicle are the minimum and maximum available battery capacities.

Resources