Electric cars are much more widespread and have become a symbol of sustainable mobility and technological innovation in recent years, yet there is still some confusion and little information about how the electric motor works.
Let’s explore together all the details of how the beating heart of these cars works, its main components, and the associated benefits compared to traditional internal combustion engines.
Main components of an electric motor
To understand how an electric car motor works, it is essential to know its main components. Here they are:
- Stator: is the fixed part of the motor and contains the copper windings that generate a rotating magnetic field necessary for the motor to operate.
- Rotor: is the moving part of the motor, which is located inside the stator and is connected to the motor shaft. The rotor also has windings or permanent magnets, and rotates through interaction with the magnetic field generated by the stator.
- Inverter: is a converter, which converts the direct current from the battery into the alternating current needed to power the motor.
These 3 elements work in synergy with each other: the alternating current from the inverter passes through the stator, generating a magnetic field that interacts with that of the rotor, creating a force that makes it rotate.
How does an electric car motor work?
An electric car motor is based on the principle of electromagnetism. Explained in a nutshell, the battery supplies the electric current, which, passing first through the inverter, is converted from direct to alternating current and then sent to the stator windings. This generates a magnetic field that interacts with the rotor, causing it to turn.
The rotational speed of the rotor can be controlled by varying the frequency of the alternating current supplied by the inverter. This allows the car’s speed to be fine-tuned, resulting in smooth and powerful acceleration.
In addition, the electric motor can also function as a generator during regenerative braking. When the driver decelerates, the motor reverses its operation and converts the vehicle’s kinetic energy into electrical energy, which is stored in the battery. This process not only increases the energy efficiency of the car, but also helps extend the life of the battery itself.
Let’s find out the advantages of the electric motor
Electric cars certainly have many advantages over traditional internal combustion engines. Their role as a cornerstone of change for more sustainable mobility indeed brings many benefits, both for the environment and for us.
Zero emissions
A major benefit to the environment is the absence of harmful emissions. Electric cars produce no exhaust gases, thus helping to reduce air pollution and CO2 emissions, especially in urban areas where air quality is often related to car traffic.
Instant acceleration
An electric motor is capable of delivering maximum cue even at zero rpm; therefore, from the very first moment you press on the accelerator. This means there is no waiting time to reach maximum power as in gasoline or diesel engines, which have to rev up before they can deliver their full potential. In practice, this results in more responsive and faster acceleration in electric vehicles than in combustion engine vehicles.
Silent driving
Electric motors are extremely quiet. The absence of noise improves driving comfort and reduces noise pollution, especially in urban areas.
Energy Efficiency
The electric motor is much more efficient than an internal combustion engine. While the latter converts only part of the fuel energy (between 20 and 45 percent) into motion, dissipating the rest as heat, the electric motor converts about 85 to 95 percent of the electrical energy into mechanical energy, making it significantly more efficient and reducing energy waste.
Low maintenance
Electric motors have fewer moving parts than internal combustion engines, which translates into less need for maintenance. So goodbye to spark plugs, oil to change, or exhaust systems to manage in favor of greater durability.
The electric motor is a real revolution in the automotive world and offers many advantages over traditional engines. If you are considering purchasing an electric car, we hope this article has provided you with the information you need to better understand how an electric motor works and its advantages. Electric mobility is not just a passing fad, but a conscious choice for a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.
