Did we imagine cars to be plugged onto the wall just like our cell phones? Well, Electric cars are making bigger waves in the automobile industry, and there are several options for motorists who want to give up on gas cars than ever before. These vehicles are noise-free, pollution-free, providing high performance and expected to make IC engine counterparts obsolete by around 2025. Though, lot of us still gets confused when it comes to buying Electric or Gas car in 2020.
Electric cars had a high time back in the 90’s, but due to a sudden ascend in the production of internal combustion engine cars along with the battery technology inefficiencies, killed electric cars by 1920. Companies thought there was no market for electric cars, and the production had been stopped. Fast forward to the 21st century, having improvements in battery technologies and due to the environmental concerns, electric cars have made a strong comeback!
We will look at how electric cars achieve super performance by analyzing the harmonious work of an induction motor, inverter, Lithium-ion battery power source and the regenerative braking system.
Basics of an Electric Car – How it works
The science behind the electric car is, in fact, simple; Thanks to Nikolas Tesla and his principle of the Alternating Current (AC). To recollect about DC and AC, on a graph DC would be a straight line and AC will have regular uniform waves going up and down (a sine curve). All kinds of exciting stuff for a operation which occurs at the back of the car.
The DC current from the batteries is converted into AC using an inverter.
The induction motor is powered from the inverter and then this power actually energizes the coil in the motor which leads it to rotate.
Electric cars are automatic having a single-speed transmission sending power from the induction motor to the wheels.
Electric cars VS Gas cars – Who is winner?
The main difference between electric cars and Gas cars is that electric cars can use a wide variety of renewable resources to generate the necessary power. They don’t have internal combustion engines like gas-powered vehicles do and they also use their space differently. Expectations would include having a bulkier battery in the front under the hood like an I.C. Engine, but the reality is different. For an average Electric vehicle, there are approx. 7000 Lithium-ion batteries under the flooring, which has not only longer lifespan but also higher density, making it ideal for powering a vehicle. The principle of Tesla in specific is the usage of smaller sized cells, unlike bigger sized ones. Electric cars have Battery Management System (BMS) to control the temperature in Battery Cells Modules and to avoid Thermal Runaway in Battery pack.
In an IC engine, many accessories are required to sort out issues including non-uniform power, uneven mechanical balancing, and the engine is not self-started, making the IC engine heavier. We need not encounter such problems in an electric car since the usage of induction motors makes it self-started, produces uniform power and speed output. Induction motors are much lighter and produce more power and torque. The battery pack in EV (electric vehicle) sits lower to the ground, making center of gravity downward thus increases the car’s stability. The battery is also spread uniformly below the flooring, and there are no side collisions.
When we compare the power dynamics of both the vehicles, EV’s are the clear winners here! IC engines cannot be operated beyond a specific speed range and require a complex transmission mechanism for speed control. It is not necessary for electric cars since the speed can be controlled directly by the motor. Below is our pick for Top Electric cars for 2020.
Top 5 Electric cars in 2020
An all-electric car is a common thing today, and most drivers wish to buy vehicles with only battery power. Manufacturers are highly targeting the auto markets of North America, Europe and potentially Asian countries, which have a considerable interest in no-emission vehicles. Interesting to know, China is leading the pact of Asian continent as biggest manufacturing hub for Battery storage cells.
Our hand-picked top 5 electric cars have been listed based on the market they have in 2020. We have featured vehicles based on their anatomy features, infotainment systems and price. Hopefully we can help you make decision on buying an Electric or Gas car in 2020.
Tesla Model 3
Tesla has been gobbling up the automobile market with a number of models including Tesla Model X, and Tesla S. The Tesla Model 3 has almost the same performance as the Model X but its more affordable. Looking almost like the Model S but a bit smaller in size, it’s a nice, tidy looking car on the outside, but on the inside its suitably hi-tech with a clean, modern design. Manufacturers have gone so close to the mainstream with a standard infotainment system. All these points could sum up to the main specs of the vehicle. It is no surprise that Tesla Model 3 stands at number 1 in our list for buying electric or gas car in 2020.
Standard price – $ 35000
Chevrolet Bolt EV
With manufacturers including Hyundai, Kia, Tesla offering EVs with a 239 plus miles range with less than $40000, Chevrolet’s moderate range increase from 238 miles to 259 miles keeps the Chevy Bolt EV in competition. This is an all-electric vehicle affordable price tag, spacious cabin and a long driving range. It provides an almost-instant acceleration and is truly fun to drive. An innovative regenerative braking paddle and an affordable fast-charging option enhance the user experience.
Standard Price – $37,495 and $41,895 (Premium)
Nissan Leaf Plus
The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) has honoured the Nissan Leaf Plus the winner of its 2020 Canadian Green Car of the Year award. This vehicle is now in its second generation and Nissan has built a range-topping version with a bigger battery. It can cover 239 miles under full charge with an increase of 62 miles from the standard model which makes it pretty useful on the extra amount!
It’s more sophisticated to drive, faster, a bigger build and the most important is that we can drive longer distances between the charge. On the whole it has a zippy handling, good all-electric range, faster acceleration and is least expensive.
Standard Price – Three trim levels – $38,200, $39,750, and $43,900.
Audi e-tron
Audi e-tron stands out despite a plenty of competition between the Jaguar I-Pace, Mercedes EQC and the Tesla Model X luxury cars. It stood out as a concept car in 2018 and came into production on May 2019. The e-tron being Audi’s first electric SUV in production hardly has any restraints. It has two ports for electric charging one on the either side of the front which is rare in any electric cars. Though there are no futuristic designs in the interior and are habitual, there is no electric car put together so sturdily as the e-tron.
Every e-tron gets a standard 12.3-inch digital display and at the centre console is the MMI infotainment system which is pretty much similar to almost all the models.
The boot space is quite larger than the other models and we can have more carry-on which is not available in most of the electric cars.
On a full charge it can travel a distance of 196 miles making it one of the best electric cars but is behind its premium SUV rivals.
Standard price – $74,800 and $81,800 (Premium)
Jaguar I-Pace
This is another electric SUV that competes in a similar price range with e-tron. It has two electric motors and a four-wheel drive with an elegant, modern design.
It promises a 244 miles drive at full charge and is available at three trim levels that are differentiated by standard and optional features. Compared with the entry level version, it adds larger wheels (22 inches), upgraded LED highlights and leather cushioning.
It also has a number of driver-assist features including 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise with steering assist, blind spot monitoring and automated emergency braking system.
Standard price – Three trim levels $70,875, $77,27, $81,925
Electric cars are much safer than gas cars. The cost of driving an electric car is a bit higher, although the upkeep cost is far less than that of an IC engine car. 2020 could be the year when electric cars are officially considered for all major classes and price categories. With the drawbacks of electric cars cleared by the advent of technology, electric cars have a more promising future. Thus, when it comes to buying an Electric or Gas car in 2020, you should not be confused and choose who is clear winner.
If you wish to know more about the mechanism of Lithium-ion batteries, do read our popular post on Solid State battery and also the other posts to know more about the different variety of cars. Also, keep following our site TheCarsInsider to get more updates on the latest tech used in cars and also the newest models released.
