FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRIC

VEHICLES
UNIT-I
INTRODUCTION

K.SRINIVASA RAO
ASSOC PROF
 Introduction
Automobile:-
• “Auto” means self and “mobile” means
movable. Thus a self moving vehicle is known
as “automobile”. The term is generally used for
motor cars, delivery vans, trucks etc.

Definition:-
• It is a self-propelled vehicle which is used for
the transportation of goods and passengers(on
the ground).
 Introduction

Necessity:-
• Automobiles are an important part of life in
today's world. It is a basic need for every
household. Imagine walking hundreds of miles
for days to get from one place to another, but
because of the discovery of automobiles,
transportation today is much faster, easier and
reliable.
 Classification
• *Purpose:- > goods
• E.g- truck, dump truck, lorry
• > Passengers
• E.g- car, bus, motorcycle
• *Capacity of vehicle:- > light duty
• > heavy duty
• *On the basis of fuel used:- > petrol
• > Diesel
• > Electric
• > Gas and solar
• *No. Of wheels used:- > 2-wheeler
• > 3-wheeler
• > 4-wheeler
• > 10-wheeler etc.
 INTRODUCTION
Fundamentals of vehicles
INTRODUCTION
 INTRODUCTION
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly important as not only
do they reduce noise and pollution, but also they can be used to
reduce the dependence of transport on oil – providing that the
power is generated from fuels other than oil.
Electric vehicles can also be used to reduce carbon emissions.
Production of zero release of carbon dioxide requires that the
energy for electric vehicles is produced from non-fossil-fuel sources
such as nuclear and alternative energy
The worst scenario is that we have only 40 years supply of oil left
at current usage rates. In practice, of course, increasing scarcity
will result in huge price rises and eventually the use of oil and
other fossil fuels will not be economically viable, hence oil will be
conserved as usage will decrease.
 INTRODUCTION
Oil can also be produced from other fossil fuels such as coal.
Traditionally oil produced in this way was considered to be around
10% more expensive, but with current oil prices production from
coal is starting to become economic.
Coal is more abundant than oil and there is in excess of 100 years
of coal left, though it is still a finite resource.
Increasing worries about global warming continue. Global warming
is blamed on the release of carbon dioxide when fossil fuels are
burnt and it is believed to give rise to a myriad of problems
including climate change and rising sea levels which could destroy
many of the world’s coastal cities.
 INTRODUCTION
Electric trains are well developed and are widely used whereas road
transport has only just reached the point where vehicle
manufacturers are starting to produce electric cars in quantity.
Whereas small electric vehicles used in niche markets, such as
electric bicycles, invalid carriages and golf buggies, are widely used,
electric road vehicles are not. Electric road vehicles have not
enjoyed the enormous success of internal combustion (IC) engine
vehicles, which normally have much longer ranges and are very easy
to refuel.
 Components of conventional vehicle

Components of conventional vehicles

(a)Body: Where passengers sit or luggage is kept
(b) Chassis: This unit which is used as a base for engine-
parts and other parts of motor car.
(c) Engine: This unit is also known as power unit. It
includes fuel pump, carburettor, self, dynamo, distributor,
spark plug, lubrication pump, etc.
(d) Running Gear: This unit consists of those parts which
give motion to the vehicle such as front and rear axles,
wheels, springs, frame, brake, steering etc.
 Components of conventional vehicle
Transmission System:
•Those parts of the motor-car which transmit
the engine power to its wheels, such as clutch,
gear box, universal joint, propeller shaft,
differential and axle shaft etc. are included in
the transmission system.
•Variations of speed ratios and forward and
reverse motion are obtained through the
transmission system
 Functions of a Car (Main Assembly)
•Motion
•Stopping of Motion
•Changing direction of Motion
•Comfort of the Passenger
•Music and air-conditioning system
•Protection of the Passengers and goods from external
environmental factors
→ (Sub Assembly)
•Engine
•Transmission System
•Braking System
•Steering System
•Suspension System
•Electrical System
LAYOUT OF Automobile chassis
LAYOUT OF Auomobile chassis
 The Chassis

In a conventional chassis frame, the frame

forms the main skeleton of vehicle. It supports
engine, power transmission, and car body.
The frame is supported on wheels and axles
through springs.

 The frame carries the weight of the vehicle and

passengers, withstands engine, transmission,
accelerating, and braking torques
The Chassis
 The Chassis
•The chassis of an automobile incorporates all the major
assemblies consisting of an engine, components of
transmission system such as clutch, gearbox, propeller
shaft, axles, a control system such as brakes and
steering, and suspension system of the vehicle.

• In other words, it is the vehicle without its body.

The chassis of an automobile has the frame, suspension
system, axles, and wheel as the main components.

•The frame could be in the form of conventional chassis

or unit construction may be adopted.
 The Engine.
The engine is the source of motive
power to an automobile.

Obviously, it is a very important part of

the automobile because in the absence
of an engine, the automobile may not
move at all, and its basic function of
transporting passengers or goods would
be defeated
 The Engine.

The power of the engine determines

the working of the automobile.
 In the same manner, the efficiency of
the engine determines the efficiency of
an automobile.
The engine, nowadays is invariably an
internal combustion engine. This may be
a spark-ignition engine consuming petrol
as fuel.
 Introduction to transmission System
The transmission system is the system utilizing which
power developed by the engine is transmitted to road
wheels to propel the vehicle.
In automobiles, the power is developed by the engine
which is used to turn wheels.
 Introduction to transmission System

The transmission system itself

consists of a number of parts such as
clutch assembly,
gearbox,
propeller shaft,
differential,
and axles.
 Introduction to transmission System
Therefore, the engine is to be connected to the
transmission systems for transmitting power to
wheels.
Also, there should be a system utilizing which
engine could be engaged and disengaged with the
transmission system smoothly and without shock
so that the vehicle mechanism is not damaged and
passengers do not feel inconvenience.
A clutch is employed in automobiles for this
purpose
 Introduction to transmission System
Therefore, the engine is to be connected to the
transmission systems for transmitting power to
wheels. Also, there should be a system utilizing
which engine could be engaged and disengaged
with the transmission system smoothly and
without shock so that the vehicle mechanism is not
damaged and passengers do not feel
inconvenience. A clutch is employed in
automobiles for this purpose
Introduction to transmission System
The engines employed in automobiles are of
very high speed.
Hence, a speed reduction is necessary to
reduce the speed to moderate level as well as
to get the required high torque while moving
from rest.
For this purpose, a gearbox is employed in
automobiles.
The figure shows the general arrangement
of a power transmission system of an
automobile.
Introduction to transmission System
 Transmission System
•The motion of the crankshaft is transmitted
to the gearbox through the clutch.
•The gearbox consists of a set of gears to
change the speed according to the
requirement.
•The motion is then transmitted to the
propeller shaft from the gearbox through a
universal joint.
•The purpose of the universal joint is to
connect two shafts at an angle for power
transmission
 Transmission System
The power is transmitted to the
differential unit through another
universal joint.
Finally, the power is transmitted from
the differential to wheels through the
rear end.
The differential unit is used to provide
the relative motion between two-run
wheels while the vehicle is taking a turn
 Gearbox
The gearbox is the component of the transmission system
next to the clutch.
It has got a gear train, and it provides different gear ratios.
These ratios determine the rotary speed of output shaft from
the gearbox.
The torque transmitted to the road wheels gives rise to a
propulsive force or (tractive effort) between these and the road.
When starting from rest, a large tractive effort is required.
This makes essential the introduction of considerable ‘leverage’
between the engine and the wheels so that torque from the
engine, which is almost constant, produces the large tractive
effort.
Gearbox
 Gearbox
Different gear ratios available in the gearbox can
provide the required tractive effort to overcome the
resistance faced by the automobile under different
conditions.
Propeller shaft transmits the output from the
gearbox to the axle.
This axle may be in the rear or in the front or in
some cases both the rear and front axle may receive
output from the gearbox.
The output from the gearbox is in the form of rotary
motion of the shaft, and this motion is transferred to
the axle.
Gearbox
 Differential
The differential is the next component of the
transmission system. The motion of propeller shaft is
fed to the differential which turns it through 90
degrees. This is essential as the axle is at 90 degrees
to the propeller shaft.

The function is performed with the help of a pinion

and a gear. Another important function of the
differential is to reduce the speed of inner wheels and
at the same time, enhance the speed of outer wheels
by the same amount.
 Differential
This is required when the automobile is moving
on a curved path. On a curved path, the outer
wheels are required to traverse a circle of a bigger
radius than the inner wheels.
This means that the outer wheels are required to
traverse larger distance as compared to inner
wheels.
As the automobile is to move as a single unit, all
the four wheels must travel together.
Therefore, the outer wheels should travel larger
distance and inner wheels should travel smaller
distance in the same time period.
 Differential

Hence, the variation in the speed of inner and outer wheels is

needed. This is performed by the differential with the help of sun and
planet gear system.
 Axle
The axle is the next component of the
transmission system. The axle receiving power
from the engine is termed as ‘live’ axle. It is in
two halves.
The ends of the axle have road wheels
connected to it. These road wheels are in
direct contact with the road surface. The body
of the automobile is above the axle.
The axle also takes up the various loads
including the weight of the automobile. It also
transmits motion to the road wheels.
 The Body
The use of a separate frame to which the body structure is
attached is now almost obsolete except for some applications
for heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

Many heavy vehicles now use ‘sub-frames’ of simple

construction to which the engine and gearbox are attached.
The sub-frame is supported on the mainframe and is fixed on
it through some suitable rubber connections to isolate the
engine vibrations.
Due to development in spot welding and sheet pressing
techniques, most of the vehicles have integral construction.

All the assembly units of the vehicles are attached to the

body, which also acts the frame.
 The Body
It makes the vehicle compact, lightweight, and
also its cost is reduced. Some intermediate
designs using a light chassis and a pressed steel
body are also in use.

The light chassis, in such designs, is

strengthened by using platform made of a sheet
of steel. Apart from the four basic components
described above, the automobile has the control
systems and auxiliaries
 The control systems are used to control the motion of an
automobile and therefore are essential in an automobile.
These include;
i. The steering system, and
ii. Braking system or brakes.
Steering system.
The automobile, while moving, may be required to traverse
a circular path. It has to be turned through some angle if the
path is not straight.
There may be other situations also when the road is turning
towards left or right, and an automobile is required to turn to
left or right.
This turning of the automobile towards left or right or on the
curved path is provided through steering mechanism.
The steering system is required to be quite accurate as the
automobile should turn accurately along with the path
Braking system
This causes a reduction in speed of the vehicle
and brings it to rest when necessary. Bringing an
automobile to rest is as important as its movement.

Obviously, when we have reached our destination,

we would like to stop; and therefore, the vehicle
should come to rest.

Also, there may be some kind of emergency and

vehicle may be required to slow down or stop on the
way. At that time, also its motion is to be controlled.
This control on the motion is provided with the help
of brakes.
The Auxiliaries

These are the components of an automobile

which may not be essential, but it can make the
driving more comfortable.

The fact is that with the passage of time, some

auxiliaries become essential. A few years back, the
indicators to indicate the turning vehicle were not
used.

But now these have been made mandatory by the

government.
Though air-conditioner is not essential and is just to provide
comfort conditions, now it is provided in every vehicle in
developed countries and is being adopted by more and more
people.

Drawbacks of conventional vehicles

Pollution and lower resale value, among

other factors, are still a few
major disadvantages of gasoline
cars. The following pros and cons of
gasoline cars detail further.
1. Emission is still among dreaded disadvantages of
conventional vehicles
Even if Petrol vehicles are on average less polluting than
diesel vehicles, they do emit carbon monoxide and other
particulates into the environment upon combustion. Although
the emission of fine particles and CO2 is less, there are
around 1.3 billion cars out on the road worldwide, that many
vehicular emissions seem too much to deteriorate the air
quality.
2. Low fuel efficiency
Gasoline cars have low fuel efficiency means that, even if
you can avail fuel for your car easily, you won’t be able to
travel farther without refueling your car. This counts as one
of the biggest disadvantages of gasoline cars as compared
to hybrid and diesel counterparts
3.Lower Resale value
Fuel efficiency and engine capacity of a gasoline car
detriments over time. These factors directly affect the resale
value of a vehicle as the same accounts for a limited lifespan.

4. Health Hazards
Exposure to Gasoline can occur from filling your tank, from a
gas leak in your engine, or from general spills and accidents.
5. Fossil Fuels Dependency
It’s a fact that Fossil fuels are non-renewable sources of
energy, and gasoline is processed from these sources
underneath the earth’s surface. We may run out of gasoline
in the nearing years, which is among the greatly feared
disadvantages of gasoline cars and other vehicles. The value
of gas-powered cars will plummet strikingly
Need for electric vehicles

Zero Tailpipe Emissions.

 Driving an electric vehicle can help you reduce
your carbon footprint because there will be zero
tailpipe emissions.

You can reduce the environmental impact of

charging your vehicle further by choosing
renewable energy options for home electricity.

Tax and financial benefits.

Tax and financial benefits:
Registration fees and road tax on purchasing
electric vehicles are lesser than petrol or
diesel vehicles. There are multiple policies
and incentives offered by the government
depending on which state you are in
 BRIEF HISTROY
Electric motors developed following Michael Faraday’s work in
1821.
The first commutator-type direct current electric motor capable
of turning machinery was invented by the British scientist William
Sturgeon in 1832.