More, we want more! Obviously, you’d like to extend your EV range. Who doesn’t? However, “just adding” a ton of batteries sounds heavy, big, and expensive, right? By demonstrating how operating settings might impact range, this article will demonstrate how to extend the range of your electric car conversion.
EV Range as an obstacle
The range of electric vehicles is seen as the main obstacle to accepting an electric vehicle due to its reduced range when compared to conventional ones. The shorter range has an impact on the vehicle’s design, aesthetic, and functional aspects. So, now what? How can you extend your EV Range?
The basics that affect the EV range
All cars must have proper tire pressure, which has an impact on a vehicle’s range. Additionally, axillary systems like the heater and air conditioners can lessen it. To extend the range of a vehicle, whether it is an electric or diesel vehicle, the driver must cultivate safe driving practices.
Regenerative braking (read a full story on Regan Braking), which saves energy wasted while braking, is one of many methods utilized for this purpose. Another option would be to create a system that would support the driver in such situations to increase the effectiveness of the car.
As stated above, there are a number of variables that may be altered to extend the electric vehicle’s range. The most key elements the influence the EV range, will be tackled below.
Shape & Drag
Driving resistance acting on the vehicle has a direct impact on the electric car’s range and power. As the vehicle’s speed increases, the air resistance rises in a quadratic fashion. In this approach, the resistance and body shape are directly associated.
As we boost the vehicle’s aerodynamics, the aerodynamic drag coefficient of the vehicle drops. Therefore, it is a significant factor that broadens the range. Something you would have to take into account when you are intending to a Hummer into an EV.
This is also known as Drag, Drag Coefficient, and/or, Cd value. The drag coefficient of the typical modern car ranges from 0.25 to 0.3. Due to their often boxy forms, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) typically achieve a Cd=0.35-0.45. The body design of a vehicle has an impact on its drag coefficient and will shorten or extend your EV Range.
Battery Shape & Sort
The size of the battery utilized has a direct impact on the technical characteristics of an electric vehicle. The weight and daily energy consumption average determine the battery’s size, which in turn determines its range. The range of the electric car is increased by using a large battery size since it can do more trips with longer battery life.
Electric motor efficiency is high compared to internal combustion engine efficiency to save operating costs and produce no pollution. On the other hand, the battery’s ability to store energy has risen. This raises the price of the production battery, which in turn raises the cost to the consumer.
In conclusion, the customer’s decision on the size of the battery utilized in the electric car conversion is a trade-off between the cost of the vehicle as an investment and the cost of operating an electric vehicle during its lifetime.
When converting your car to an EV car, the size and weight is extremely important. When your opt for lead batteries; you need a lot of room and they will make your car much heavier. On the plus side, the batteries will be far less expensive and more foolproof than a set of Lithium Ion batteries. These batteries a lightweight and do perform like crazy. They can charge and discharge as no other and are often “small”. The main downsides are the costs and sensibility… They are little bombs and your should handle them with care. Besides that, the pros of these batteries are high. So if you want to extend your range, you are bound to Lithium Ion batteries since they have more power in a smaller and lighter package.
EV Engines and range
The are many to choose from (read out full write-up on all sort of engines), so we will not go too far into depth here, but keep it to the basics concerning how ev engines extend your EV Range.
Electric vehicles are without a doubt the future of the auto industry. The lack of variety and high prices is one of the greatest problems for consumers. Since using large batteries is the only way to extend the vehicle’s range, the cost will subsequently go up. The vehicle’s range has to be extended without requiring new batteries.
MPG is a unit of measurement for a car’s fuel efficiency. The rate of energy consumption for electric vehicles is also expressed in kWh/km. The electric vehicle would use less energy since its drivetrain would be more energy-efficient. In this manner, a vast distance can be traveled on a single battery.
The battery, direct current, electric motor, and DC-DC converter are the four basic parts of an electric powertrain. Electricity is kept in the battery. Direct current (DC) is changed into alternating current (AC) using an inverter. The car can also be moved thanks to the energy provided by the electric motor. The motor receives the precise voltage from the battery through the DC-DC converter. The figure below illustrates this.
The efficiency of an electric powertrain is defined as the ratio of the energy provided to the battery to the energy output of the motor. If the ratio is 100%, then the whole electrical energy is converted to the mechanical energy and the losses are zero, which is nearly impossible.
In the energy conversion process, a number of losses occurs because the efficiency of the powertrain is not a constant value. For example, the efficiency of the motor and the inverter varies from 60% to 96% depending upon the drive profile the speed and the torque depending upon its position in the drive train.
Tires influence EV range
It is estimated that 25% of all-electric vehicles have tires with insufficient air pressure. The use of under-inflated tires results in early or uneven wear of the tread, as well as an increase in the energy consumption of the vehicle. Therefore, it is essential to frequently check the tire pressure using gauges. It’s crucial to routinely check the tire pressure because temperature changes have an impact. The information about this is typically on the stickers that are fastened to the side door frame.
The use of large alloy wheels causes the vehicle’s rolling resistance to rise. However, they have the effect of decreasing the electric vehicle’s efficiency. By the way, this will count for every vehicle… Your lawnmower, your diesel tractor, or even your Mustang V8.
The Auxiliaries
The battery range will be rapidly reduced when the air conditioner is on (could be up to 10%!!). Therefore, you must try to rely solely on the fan and turn off the compressor whenever possible. Another option is to drive with the window down. The effect of a window will be to increase the drag force operating on the vehicle, and as the vehicle’s speed rises, so will the drag force. A fully chilled AC setting will cause the battery to discharge more quickly. In the summer, keep the car pre-cooled while you charge it so that cooling is not only dependent on the batteries. Perhaps also park it in the shade when possible.
When the air conditioner is activated, the battery range will be rapidly reduced. As a result, you must make an effort to use the fan alone and shut off the compressor whenever you can. Using the window while driving is an additional choice. A window will have the effect of increasing the drag force acting on the vehicle, and as the vehicle’s speed increases, the drag force will increase as well. The battery will discharge more quickly in an AC setting that is completely cooled. Keep the car pre-cooled while it is being charged in the summer to ensure that cooling is not only dependent on the batteries.
You
You will most definitely extend your EV Range. Fast driving will cause the electric car’s battery to discharge more quickly. Therefore, it’s crucial to speed gradually when it’s standing still. Additionally, do your best to maintain the vehicle’s speed below 60 mph. The Department of Energy claims that cutting the electric car’s speed by 10 mph will result in an additional 14% energy savings. The vehicle’s eco mode is utilized to extend the electric car’s range. Next to that, it is beneficial to keep a constant flow. So, no hard acceleration and hard braking. There could be some regenerative braking, but it will never be as much as the energy used to arrive at the speed before.
References: www.roadcartel.com
