Vehicles that include electric drive motors have many advantages over the traditional vehicle. Lower noise and gas emissions are among the major benefits.
While other benefits include, fewer moving parts, less maintenance requirements and, increased reliability.
Power for the electric drive motor is obtained from either rechargeable storage batteries or a generator via an electrical inverter/converter.
The most popular types of electric motors used are brushless, multi-phase, synchronous and permanent magnet motors.
The meanings of these terms are:
Basic Operation
The computer controls the direction, frequency, order and amplitude of current flowing through the stator windings. The magnetic field produced by this current reacts with the permanent magnets of the rotor. This causes the rotor to rotate. It is important to note that these systems operate on dangerously high voltages typically 500 volts.
The electric motor is connected to road wheels via gears, chains, or shafts.
Vehicle braking and current flow back into the battery The electric motor can also be used as a generator to provide partial recharging of batteries whilst braking or during over-run.
