EVs: The Future of Automobiles

 “Some people don’t like change, but you need to embrace change if the alternative is disaster.” (Elon Musk)

Overview

Over the last few years, Electric and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have attracted attention worldwide. We’ve begun the process of searching EV as the future of transportation and electric mobility has become an essential part of an individual. Electric cars and Hybrid cars are the talk of metropolis not only because of reduced emissions but also for the reason that they give the owner a status in society that of one conscious of the environment a green crusader of sorts. Electric Vehicles have brought home the importance of its approaches in improving the quality of life. Boasting features like instant torque, lower fuel cost, low maintenance costs, silent ride, and premium performance.

What is HEV & EV?

HEVs are a type of hybrid which combines a conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) with an electric propulsion system which facilitates regenerative braking.

EVs like Electric car propelled by electric motors instead of an internal combustion engine and uses electrical energy stored in the battery making it environmental friendly. As it runs on electricity, the vehicle emits no exhaust from a tailpipe and does not contain the typical liquid fuel components, like a fuel pump/line/tank.

 

The electrical energy needed for charging the vehicles have to be produced from renewable sources like wind, solar etc.

 How does EV works?

When the pedal is pushed;

1.      The controller gathers electricity stored in a battery pack to power an electric motor

2.      Electrical energy transforms to mechanical energy and turns the wheels, vehicle moves.

3.      When depleted, the batteries are recharged by grid electricity, either from a dedicated charging unit or a wall socket

COST AND SAVINGS

In a recent move, consumers would prefer to buy an electric car but would look at the initial cost rather than future cost as they are expensive compared to equivalent gasoline-powered cars. An EV was expected to be comparable with a gasoline vehicle. The main factors of the purchase of an EV would be the initial cost, charging time, charging infrastructure, and cost of ownership rather that the driving range and life time of the battery. But the overall cost of EV ownership is actually lower than ICE cars.

National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 2020, notified by Department of Heavy companies gave emphasis on Electric Vehicles as a key mitigation strategy. Recently published reports by NITI Aayog contends in favor of EVs; efficacies can use Electric Vehicles as mobile assets. Experts believe, the power industries will be enormously benefitted from the Supreme Court’s.

Government of India Initiatives

EV Incentives..(A. DESHPANDE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, ARAI)

Vehicle Category	Incentive
2 Wheelers	Rs. 7,500 to 29,000 (~USD 500)
3 Wheelers	Rs. 11,000 to 61,000 (~USD 1,000)
Passenger Cars	Rs. 60,000 to 1,38,000 (~USD 2,000)
Light Commercial Vehicles	Rs. 1,02,000 to 1,87,000 (~USD 3,000)
Buses	60% cost or Rs. 1,00,00,000 (~USD 150,000) whichever lower

• GST at discounted rate of 12% .

• State Govts providing waiver of registration tax, road tax etc.

• State Govts are formulating State EV Policies e.g. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra   Pradesh.

EV Circle of Safety

 

The opportunities & challenges

 

With a global evolution rate of 60% in Electric Vehicles, India has the opportunity to become a global player in space. A growing number of consumers, investors, industrialists, government agencies and urban developers believe that EVs can have better outcomes for the environment as well as industry. Safer, simpler and Cleaner EVs now span categories extending from 2-wheelers and rickshaws to cars and mining vehicles, as well as fleets of vans& buses.

 

Dr. Jyoti Agrawal

Associate Professor,Department of Electrical EngineeringTSSM's Bhivarabai Sawant College of Engineering & Research, Narhe, Pune