Understanding electric vehicles: Are they safe?
Understanding electric vehicles: Are they safe?
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming a more popular option among environmentally friendly drivers. The desire to protect our planet is probably no greater than this era of uncertainty caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, many of us are looking at EVs as an important step in the fight against climate change.
But how do we really know this type of transportation? This article will break down what it means to drive an EV and will also provide ratings and safety standards that determine their roadworthiness. If you’re thinking about driving an electric car but don’t know if it’s right for you, it’s best to start here.
Various types of EV
Like most things in life, driving an EV is not a one-size-fits-all approach. You can choose from a wide variety of makes and models, and there are three types of vehicles. These three major types offer something different from each other. These are:
Full electric. As the name implies, these are battery-powered cars-which are regularly charged to keep the car running. With no tailpipes and no CO2 or other polluting emissions, it is the cleanest means of transportation on any road.
Plug-in hybrid. This type of vehicle combines traditional usage of a gasoline or diesel combustion engine with a small rechargeable battery unit. Batteries tend to reach 30 miles and fuel tanks carry on the rest of the job. Most tanks in plug-in hybrids are designed to be extremely fuel efficient.
Hydrogen fuel. In this type of vehicle, high pressure hydrogen combines with oxygen. Electricity is generated as a result of their chemical mashups and provides a way for the vehicle to move. Water is the only substance that is released as exhaust gas, as this process does not produce any pollutants.
Explanation of safety ratings
Like traditional internal combustion engine vehicles, EVs have undergone rigorous testing to ensure they are road-worthy. Different parts of the world have their own rating systems. Vehicles typically fall into one of six categories, depending on their performance in a series of tests.
5 Stars – These cars perform excellent in crash tests and also have preventive crash technology.
4 Stars – Perform well in crash protection and may include preventative technology
3 Stars – Average protection, probably lack preventive crash technology
2 Stars – Basic crash protection only, limited crash prevention technology
1 Star – Slight crash protection with little to no crash prevention technology
0 Star – Passes type approval standards, but does not have any critical modern safety technology
Safe battery charging
Keeping your EV running smoothly is always a top priority. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure the battery is in good condition and ideally, to always keep the battery recharged. Charging an electric vehicle is one of the biggest questions for prospective drivers.
Fortunately, it’s easier to understand than you think. In essence, there are three different types of charging points.
Rapid Charge – These points usually bring the vehicle’s capacity to 80% within an hour.
Fast Charge – Full charge tends to take (on average) 2 hours
Slow Charge – Slow charge can take up to 9 hours (must be done overnight)
Of course, the faster you charge, the higher the price you can expect. These points can be used at home or on the go, so options are always available in the car.
Driving an EV isn’t too far from a regular car, but there are some factors to keep in mind if you want to get the most out of your time on the road.
How to drive an EV more efficiently
There are steps you can take to make the battery charging time as efficient as possible. As with smartphones and tablets, EV batteries can be expanded by taking steps to get the most out of them. This includes the following:
Clean up the car. Whenever possible, remove unnecessary things from your vehicle. The heavier the car, the greater the power required to move from point A to point B. The lighter the weight of the car, the longer the range and the less need for charge.
Do not brake too late. Many EVs have regenerative braking technology for charging while driving, but it is still advisable to always brake at speeds below 10mph. The smoother and more stable the brakes, the more effectively the vehicle can utilise this thermal energy with reusable electricity.
Track your speed. EVs use more power than traditional combustion engines when driving above optimum speeds. Oil and diesel vehicles can use gear to counteract wind resistance (the main cause of drag, therefore fuel depletion), but EVs do not have this advantage. Monitor your speed to maximise your range.
Be cautious about heating and cooling. These systems can benefit from the hot and cold seasons of the year, but they should be used with caution. These luxuries can consume an additional 10% of the power from the battery while driving. This means that on a real ride you will only get 90% of the battery charge while heating or cooling are on.
To read the full guide, go here.
