Electric Vehicles
For personal transportation the three main types of electric vehicles are as follows:
- Hybrid ElectricA hybrid electric vehicle uses two sources of power to move the vehicle. The first power source is a conventional internal combustion engine that can be fuelled by gasoline, diesel or other alternative transportation fuels. The second power source is an electric motor powered by a battery. A hybrid electric vehicle never needs to be plugged in, as the battery is recharged when the vehicle is being driven by the internal combustion engine and through regenerative braking.
- Plug-in Hybrid ElectricA plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is similar to a hybrid electric in terms of having two power sources. The difference is that, for these vehicles, plugging-in is an option that allows the vehicle to use electricity from the power grid to charge its battery. A plug-in hybrid would normally have a larger battery than a regular hybrid, to store more electricity from the power grid – electricity that can be used to operate the electric motor.
- All-electricAn all-electric vehicle is driven by an electric motor powered by batteries. When the battery runs low, an all-electric vehicle must be recharged by plugging it into the power grid. Since there is no internal combustion engine, an all-electric vehicle does not have the driving range of a conventional vehicle, but is suitable for many of the trips Canadians take everyday. An all-electric vehicle can also be referred to as a “pure electric vehicle” or as an “electric vehicle”.
Availability
Hybrid electric vehicles are readily available for use on Canada’s roadways. Major automobile manufacturers have indicated an interest in supplying plug-in hybrid electricvehicles and all-electric vehicles to the Canadian market, making this a near-term reality for Canadians.
Benefits
- Hybrid electric vehicles have the driving range and rapid refuelling of a conventional vehicle but consume significantly less fuel and emit less carbon dioxide, due to use of an electric motor and battery which improve energy efficiency.
- A plug-in hybrid electric pushes the hybrid vehicle concept a step further by allowing the vehicle to use electricity from the power grid. This further reduces its on-road environmental impact.
- All-electric vehicles are considered zero-emission vehicles, as the electric motor produces no exhaust emissions while on the road.
For plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles, it is important to consider the pollution created during the electrical power generation (i.e. when producing the electricity used to charge batteries). In Canada, although some electricity is generated using coal, oil and natural gas, almost 60 percent is produced using hydroelectric generators and another 15 percent is generated by nuclear reactors, both of which produce little air pollution.
Regenerative Braking
One of the reasons electric vehicles are energy efficient is their ability to take advantage of regenerative braking. With a conventional vehicle, each time the brakes are applied the vehicle’s forward energy is wasted as heat between the brake pads and the disks or drums. In an electric vehicle, when the driver applies the brakes, the electric motor is used in reverse to assist in stopping the vehicle and to generate electricity. The electrical energy that is recovered is stored in the vehicle’s battery for future use.