The automotive industry has produced countless innovations in recent years. While the concept of flying cars is still a work in progress, semi-autonomous driving, 360° cameras, and augmented reality (AR) integration revolutionize driving.
On top of these advancements, electric vehicles (EVs) promise a more sustainable method of mobility with their massive consumer adoption. There were 26 million electric cars in 2022 alone—60% higher than the previous year. This staggering jump reflects the public’s perception of the benefits of electric cars and gives a glimpse of what the automotive industry’s future looks like. It's definitely electric.
Beyond their sleek designs and quiet but powerful engines are intricate components powering this revolutionary technology on wheels. This visual guide breaks down the parts of EVs to help you better appreciate and care for them.
Anatomy of an Electric Car: 10 Important Parts, Explained
How do electric engines work? What's the difference when pitting hybrid versus electric cars? Find out the answers to these questions by taking a closer look at EV components.
1. Battery pack
The battery pack is the EV’s heart. It stores the electricity necessary to power the motor and, in turn, move the car.
Most battery packs consist of lithium-ion (Li-ion) modules, the preferred energy storage choice in almost all battery-powered devices. It has a high power-to-weight ratio, superior efficiency, and minimal performance losses in high temperatures; everything an electric car owner could ever want.
The battery’s capacity in kilowatt-hours (kWh) affects the EV's range—higher kWh ratings offer longer driving ranges but also increase its weight and cost. That said, some batteries are safer and more efficient than others. Take BYD's Ultra Safe Blade Battery, for example. It's 50% smaller than other battery modules, yet it boasts a high safety rating after passing puncture and temperature exposure tests.
What's the deal with hybrid cars vs. electric cars when it comes to battery packs? Hybrids have a battery pack and a fuel tank. Their battery is usually smaller than an EV's, assisting the engine by improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.
2. Inverter
Inverters convert the battery pack's direct current (DC) into alternating current (AC) to drive or rotate the motor. This capability is essential for regenerative braking, a feature allowing the motor to work as a generator that transforms mechanical energy into electricity for the battery.
Internal combustion engines (ICE) of traditional cars don't have an inverter because they produce mechanical energy by igniting diesel or gas. Instead, their alternators convert mechanical energy into electrical energy to power the car's electronics and charge its battery.
3. Converter
EVs have two types of converters: DC-DC and AC-DC. First, the DC-DC converter reduces the battery pack's high voltage to a lower figure suitable for the 12-volt auxiliary battery that powers EV lights, infotainment systems, and air conditioning.
Meanwhile, the AC-DC converter (which many call an “onboard charger”) converts AC electricity from residential car charging ports to DC electricity to replenish EVs’ battery packs.
In ICE vehicles, alternators perform a similar function to DC-DC converters in that they generate electricity to charge the car's 12V battery and power onboard electrical systems. However, they don't require voltage conversion since they don't have high-voltage battery packs.
Hybrid cars have high- and low-voltage systems, so they also use DC-DC converters to manage voltage levels between the onboard battery pack and auxiliary systems.
4. Controller
If the battery pack is the EV’s heart, the controller is its brain. EV controllers are responsible for interpreting inputs on the accelerator pedal and adjusting the motor's output accordingly. These mechanisms help optimize the vehicle's performance for longer and smoother drives with precise power management and delivery.
EV controllers are also essential in regenerative braking as they efficiently recapture and store energy in the battery.
Engine control units (ECUs) serve a similar function in ICE cars. They manage engine operations, including fuel injection, ignition timing, and emission control, to optimize the vehicle's performance and efficiency. Meanwhile, hybrid cars have an ECU and a motor controller working together to deliver seamless power and maximize efficiency.
5. Electric traction motor
This component directly drives EVs’ wheels. It converts electricity from the battery pack into mechanical energy to produce the torque necessary for turning the wheels and propelling the vehicle. In addition to their high efficiency and ability to deliver instant torque, electric traction motors enable EVs to accelerate faster and more smoothly.
Electric traction motors come in various types, each with distinct characteristics and providing unique benefits for specific applications. First is the switched reluctance motor (SRM), which is robust and cost-effective, featuring a simple design without permanent magnets, though it can be noisy. AC induction motors are reliable and inexpensive but can be less efficient at low speeds.
Finally, a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) offers high efficiency and precise control, though it is more expensive due to the cost of magnets.
What about ICEs? The engine itself generates mechanical energy to drive the wheels. In other words, its performance depends on the combustion processes and mechanical linkages, which lead to less efficient power transfer than electric motors. Hybrid cars use both technologies, but their electric motor is usually smaller and less powerful than a full-electric car since it only supplements the engine.
6. Charger
There are two types of chargers: onboard and external. As mentioned, onboard chargers are more of a converter than a charger because they convert AC power from external sources into DC power to replenish the battery pack. Meanwhile, external chargers supply power directly from residential car charging sockets or public charging stations to onboard chargers.
EV chargers have three main classifications:
Level 1: It's a slow charger that only provides power through 120V AC outlets. It typically takes over 20 hours for an 80% charge from 0%.
Level 2: It offers faster AC charging through 240V, so it's a common choice among Philippine homes. They charge full EVs from empty to 80% in roughly 5-6 hours.
Direct current fast charging (DCFC) or Level 3: It enables even faster charging from empty to 100% in less than an hour, thanks to its DC power support. It's often available on busy roads and at public charging stations.
It’s worth noting that the charging times mentioned above vary depending on your car battery size.
All that said, the future of EV charging in the Philippines is promising, thanks to ACMobility, the official distributor of BYD Cars Philippines. With an aggressive growth plan, the company aims to enhance holiday mobility by expanding its network to 48 EV charging stations across 23 sites, offering both AC and DC chargers.
However, the expansion doesn’t end there. By late 2024, ACMobility plans to expand even further to 100 stations in 50 locations. The AC chargers range from 7kW to 22kW, while DC chargers range from 60kW to 120kW, providing multiple options for powering electric cars.
Comparatively, BYD Atto 3 charges 100% to 120% in less than an hour. It also has an optional 7kW wall box for easy and convenient charging at home.
Meanwhile, ICE cars don't require chargers because they only need fuel to run. As for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), a charging socket in the car can connect to an external power source for energy.
7. Transmission
Gear sticks or clutches are not present in EVs since they don't have multiple gears. Instead, they use a single-speed transmission thanks to their electric motors, which provide a range of power across their operating speeds. As a result, the motor can deliver consistent torque even without gear shifting.
Some electric cars in the Philippines, particularly high-performance models, use multi-speed transmissions to optimize efficiency and performance, but they're less common.
ICEs use manual or automatic multi-speed transmissions to manage power across speeds. These transmissions are necessary because ICEs have a narrower power band, which requires multiple gears to maintain efficiency and performance.
On the other hand, hybrids typically have specialized transmissions, like continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), to blend power from their ICEs and electric motors seamlessly. They're more complex than single-speed transmissions but can maximize the efficiency and performance of hybrid powertrains.
8. Auxiliary battery
Have you ever wondered why cabin lights and climate control work even when your vehicle is off? That’s all thanks to the auxiliary battery. The auxiliary battery gets power from the main battery through the DC-DC converter.
A 12V lead-acid or Li-ion battery usually powers EVs’ low-voltage electrical systems, including lighting, air conditioning, infotainment, and start-stop button. In other words, it’s integral in keeping these essential functions operating even when the main battery pack is off.
ICE and hybrid cars also feature 12V auxiliary batteries to power low-voltage electronics. The difference is that in ICEs, the battery generates charge from the alternators instead of the main battery pack.
9. Thermal cooling system
Li-ion batteries can generally handle long drives in the Philippines' tropical climate. That said, EVs still have thermal cooling systems to manage the temperature of their critical components, most notably the battery pack, electric motor, and electronics. This system also ensures the car's efficiency, given that EVs’ driving range decreases by up to 17% when outside temps hit 35°C (95°F).
Liquid coolants, radiators, pumps, and fans are part of EV thermal cooling systems that dissipate heat from critical components.
ICE vehicles also have thermal cooling systems, keeping the engine and other components at safe operating temperatures. However, they're typically more complex since ICEs are more prone to overheating due to the high temperatures from combustion. The cooling systems of hybrid cars are even more complicated since they need to manage both the ICE and electric components.
10. Vehicle control unit (VCU)
EVs are practically large, moving computers with VCUs acting as the processor that coordinates and manages various electronics to ensure the battery, inverter, motor, thermal system, and auxiliaries work together seamlessly without conflicts. VCUs do this by processing data from numerous sensors and making real-time decisions to optimize a car's performance, efficiency, and safety.
The VCU also interfaces with driver inputs and external systems, like charging station connectivity. Advanced units even include autonomous driving and connectivity capabilities.
As mentioned, the VCU equivalent for ICE vehicles is the ECU. Modern ICE vehicles have multiple control units for different systems that communicate with each other to ensure cohesion. Meanwhile, hybrids have both units and are used in tandem to optimize performance and efficiency.
Electric Cars Up Close
A solid grasp of EV’s components helps you better appreciate the sophisticated technology behind it. Moreover, it lets you gauge how EVs stack against ICE and hybrid models.
If you’re in the market for EV tech, it’s best to go with top-of-the-line components and quality EVs from BYD Cars Philippines, a local and global leader in electric vehicle innovations. Learn more about BYD or visit our showroom today.
