How Do Fully Electric Cars Work?

Fully electric vehicles, also called battery-powered vehicles (BEVs), have an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine. They use a large traction battery pack to power the electric motor and must be plugged into a wall outlet or charging equipment , also called an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). Because they run on electricity, they do not emit exhaust gases through the tailpipe and do not contain common liquid fuel components, such as fuel pumps, fuel lines, or fuel tanks. Learn more about electric vehicles .

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Main Components of Electric Cars

Battery (full electric auxiliary): In electric vehicles, the auxiliary battery provides electricity to power the vehicle's accessories.

Charging port: The charging port allows the vehicle to connect to an external power source to charge the traction battery pack.

DC/DC converter: This device converts the high-voltage DC power from the traction battery pack to the low-voltage DC power needed to run vehicle accessories and recharge auxiliary batteries.

Electric traction motor: Using power from the traction battery, this motor drives the vehicle's wheels. Some vehicles use a motor generator that performs both propulsion and regeneration functions.

On-board charger: Takes incoming AC power supplied through the charging port and converts it to DC power to charge the traction battery. The charger also communicates with the charging equipment and monitors battery characteristics such as voltage, current, temperature, and state of charge while charging the battery.

Power electronics controller: This unit regulates the flow of electrical energy supplied by the traction battery, controlling the speed of the electric traction motor and the torque it produces.

Thermal (cooling) system: This system maintains the proper operating temperature range of the engine, electric motor, power electronics, and other components.

Traction battery pack: Stores electricity for use by the electric traction motor.

Transmission (electric): The transmission transfers mechanical power from the electric traction motor to drive the wheels.