EE205 Report (Group-17)

Kartik Singh – 2019EEB1163

Madhur Jain – 2019EEB1169
Mayank Singh – 2019EEB1170

Abstract
Due to the problems caused by the gasoline engine on the environment and people, the
automotive industry has turned to the electrical powered vehicle. This report explains how an
electric vehicle works, different types of electric motors, and some of the advantages and
disadvantages of different electric motors. In addition, a brief future view of the technology,
i.e. ongoing and upcoming electric cars is given.
Introduction
Electric vehicles with higher energy efficiency, low maintenance cost and pollution free
operation, are offering great alternative to popular conventional IC engine vehicles. A motor
in an electric vehicle provides the necessary force for the propulsion of a vehicle, which
makes it the heart of electric vehicles. Certain parameters are taken into consideration before
selecting a particular motor type for electric vehicle application
Description of an electric and hybrid vehicle
In electric vehicles, electrical energy is converted into mechanical (rotational) energy by
electric motors. This rotational energy is applied to wheels of a vehicle through an
appropriate transmission system which in turn causes propulsion.
Four main parts make up the electric vehicle:
· The potentiometer. · Direct current (DC) controller. · A rechargeable battery.
· An electric motor.
The electric motor gets its power from a controller and the controller gets its power from a
rechargeable battery. The electric vehicle operates on an electric/current principle. It uses a
battery pack (batteries) to provide power for the electric motor. The motor then uses the
power (voltage) received from the batteries to rotate a transmission and the transmission turns
the wheels. A vehicle with four motors can be considered as the most efficient model in
electric vehicles. Electric vehicles can use electric energy as a sole source of power or can
use batteries in conjunction with gasoline engines to power the vehicle. Such vehicles are
called Hybrid vehicles.
The hybrid vehicle (HV) is powered by both a gasoline engine and
electric motor. The engine provides most of the vehicle’s power, and the electric motor
provides additional power when needed, such as accelerating and passing. The electric motor
is powered by batteries that recharge automatically while you drive.
Operation of an Electric Vehicle
When the driver steps on the pedal the potentiometer activates and provides the signal that
tells the controller how much power it is supposed to deliver. There are two potentiometers
for safety. The controller reads the setting of the accelerator pedal from the potentiometers,
regulates the power accordingly, takes the power from the batteries and delivers it to the
motor. The motor receives the power (voltage) from the controller and uses this power to
rotate the transmission. The transmission then turns the wheels and causes the car to move
forward or backward.
MOTORS COMMONLY USED IN EV’s
Electric motors used in electric vehicle should have important attributes like simple design,
high specific power, low maintenance cost, and good control. Motors that are widely used by
electric vehicle manufacturers are:
1. DC Brushed Motor
In DC brushed motor, brushes along with commutators provide a connection between
external supply circuit and armature of the motor. Depending upon power output and
voltage rating, DC brushed motors can have two, four or six poles and the field
winding may be series or shunt connected. This motor is capable of producing high
initial torque. The easy speed control and sudden load increase bearing capacity make
these motors a good choice.  But the high maintenance due to the brushes and
commutators is a major drawback. These motors are still in use by the Indian
railways.

2. DC Brushless Motor
These motors are the technically advanced versions of DC series motors. They don’t
use brushes and commutators. Instead, permanent magnets are used. Due to better
operating characteristics at higher speeds, these motors currently find their application
in compressors, pump and ventilation system.

3. Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM)

In synchronous motors, the rotor is excited from a DC supply, while stator is
connected to a three phase AC supply. Therefore, polarities of stator poles are
continuously changing while rotor pole polarities are constant. A permanent-magnet
synchronous motor uses permanent magnets embedded in the steel rotor to create a
constant magnetic field. Most PMSMs require a variable-frequency drive to start.
However, some incorporate a squirrel cage in the rotor for starting — these are known
as line-start or self-starting PMSMs. Due to its high efficiency and high torque
density, synchronous motor finds its application in servo, wind turbine and electric
vehicles.
4. Three Phase Induction Motor
 These motors are widely used in electric vehicles because of high efficiency, good
speed regulation and absence of commutators. Three phase AC supply is connected to
stator winding, due to which revolving magnetic field is established which interacts
with stationary rotor conductors, and induced current flows through rotor conductors
which establishes its own magnetic field. Interaction between revolving magnetic
field and field due to induced currents gives rise to unidirectional torque. As speed of
rotor is different (less) than speed of revolving field (synchronous speed), these
motors are also called as asynchronous motor.
Key advantages of AC motors over DC motors
· AC electric car motors generate favourable torque, thus helping the transmission to
last longer.
· Unlike DC electric car motors where reversing is a bit more complicated, all it takes
for the inverter (in AC motor) is to swap the sequence of 2 phases, and the rotor starts
running in opposite direction.
· Absence of motor brushes eliminates issues like commutators arcing, brush
advancing, and self-destroying at high RPM, among others.
· AC motors come with only one moving part, which makes them quiet, long-lasting,
low-cost, and relatively trouble-free.
Parameters
Different types of motor exhibit different characteristics, which makes it important to
evaluate motors on some basic parameters for choosing a particular type of motor for an
electric vehicle.
· Power-to-Weight Ratio · Torque-Speed Characteristics · Efficiency · Cost of
Controllers · Cost of Motors
Some examples of electric cars and their motor specifications
There are many electric car companies all vying to make the most efficient, affordable and
maximum output electric cars. Some of them and cars designed by them are:
· Mahindra and Mahindra
1. E-Verito: It is powered by a three-phase 72V electric motor that produces 31kW
of power and 91Nm of torque. The model has a claimed range of 181km, with the
top speed rated at a modest 86 kmph.
2. E2o: Equipped with a 72V battery and 3 phase induction motor, it produces 19kW
and 70Nm with a range of 140km on a single charge. It is expected to have a top
speed of 80kmph.
· Tata
1. Nexon EV: It is equipped with 3 phase permanent magnet synchronous motor
that has a performance rating of 94 kW and 245 Nm. The model has a claimed
range of 312 km and a top speed around 120 kmph.
 2. Tigor EV: The 3 phase AC induction motor generates a power of
30kW@4500rpm and a torque of 105Nm@2500rpm. Tata Tigor EV is
available in Automatic transmission only with a range of 213 km and a top
speed of 80 kmph.
· Toyota
1. Camry: It is powered by a permanent magnet synchronous 650V electric
motor that produces 88kW of power and 202Nm of torque. It has a range
of about 312km and a top speed of 217kmph.
2. Prius: The 3 phase permanent magnet synchronous motor generates a
power of 53kW and a torque of 163 Nm. The company claims that it has a
range of 40km and a top speed of 180 kmph.
· Hyundai
1. Kona: It is equipped with permanent magnet synchronous motor that has a
performance rating of 101kW and 395Nm. Hyundai Kona Electric is available
in Automatic transmission only. Its range and top speed are 452km and 167
kmph respectively.
Conclusion
With increasing pollution and fuel prices, it has become a dire need to switch to a cleaner
mode of transport. This has led to car makers starting investing research and capital in the
electric vehicle segment. It is cleaner and much more efficient; however, it also has
disadvantages. The future of the EV relies on its battery and motors. Only time and
technological improvements will tell which vehicle will excel in the future.
References
· https://gomechanic.in/blog/electric-vehicles-types-explained/
· https://www.primecom.tech/blogs/news/what-types-of-motors-are-used-in-electric-
vehicles
· https://www.toyota.com/
· https://www.hyundai.com/in/en
· https://www.mahindra.com/
· https://ijret.org/volumes/2017v06/i09/IJRET20170609004.pdf
· http://holms.faculty.writing.ucsb.edu/Writing_2E-
_EV_Technical_Research_Report.pdf