Electric Car Parts

Ultimate Guide- 13 Electric Car Parts: Names, Functions & Diagram

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What is Electric Vehicle?

Electric Vehicles (EVs) are modern vehicles powered by electricity instead of traditional fuels like petrol or diesel. They use high-capacity lithium-ion batteries to store energy, which is then supplied to one or more electric motors to drive the vehicle. Since EVs run on clean energy, they produce zero tailpipe emissions, making them far more eco-friendly and sustainable compared to conventional vehicles.

The batteries in electric cars can be recharged in multiple ways — through home charging units, public charging stations, or even renewable sources like solar panels. Lithium-ion technology also ensures longer driving ranges, faster charging, and higher efficiency, which makes EVs practical for everyday use.

Every part of an electric car, from the battery pack and motor to the power electronics and charging system, works together to deliver smooth performance and maximum efficiency on the road.

With rising concerns about air pollution, climate change, and carbon emissions, electric vehicles have become the most promising alternative to petrol and diesel cars. They represent the future of mobility, offering a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable way to travel.

How does Electric Car work?

When the driver presses the accelerator in an electric car, the battery sends direct current (DC) power to the inverter. The inverter’s job is to convert this DC power into alternating current (AC), which is then supplied to the electric motor. The motor uses this AC power to generate mechanical energy, which turns the wheels.

The transmission system helps transfer this mechanical energy efficiently and adjusts the rotation speed needed for smooth driving on the road.

At the same time, the car’s controller manages the flow of electrical power from the battery to support other electronic components, such as lighting, infotainment, and safety systems.

This process ensures the vehicle runs smoothly, providing instant torque, energy efficiency, and a seamless driving experience.

Electric Vehicle Components

  • Electric Traction Motor
  • Reducer
  • Transmission
  • Battery
  • Traction Battery Pack
  • Battery Management System (BMS)
  • Battery Heating System
  • Onboard Charger
  • Charge Port
  • Electric Power Control Unit
  • Inverter
  • Low Voltage DC-DC Converter
  • Vehicle Control Unit

Electric Car Components and Functions

Electric Traction Motor

A traction motor in an electric vehicle (EV) is responsible for converting electrical energy into mechanical (kinetic) energy, which powers the wheels and makes the car move. Compared to traditional internal combustion engines, electric motors offer several key benefits.

Advantages of EV Traction Motors:

  • Quiet Operation: They produce very little noise, creating a calm driving experience.
  • Low Vibrations: Smooth acceleration with minimal vibration improves overall comfort.
  • More Cabin Space: Since the EV powertrain is compact, vehicles often provide more interior room and storage.

When someone drives an electric car for the first time, they immediately notice how smooth, quiet, and effortless it feels compared to conventional cars.

Another important feature of traction motors is that they can also act as generators. For example:

  • While climbing uphill: The motor uses electricity from the battery to provide the torque needed to move the car.
  • While going downhill: The wheels drive the motor, and instead of consuming power, it generates electricity and recharges the battery.

This process is called the Regenerative Braking System (RBS). It not only increases the efficiency of the vehicle but also extends battery life and driving range during long trips.

Most modern EVs use brushless DC motors (BLDC motors) because they are efficient, reliable, and require less maintenance compared to traditional brushed motors.

Reducer

A reducer plays a key role in the transmission system by adjusting the motor’s speed to a suitable level for the wheel drive shaft.

Since electric motors usually run at very high RPM (revolutions per minute), directly connecting them to the wheels would not deliver efficient performance. The reducer lowers this RPM to the desired range, making the output more effective and practical for real-world applications.

By reducing speed, the reducer also helps increase torque, which is essential for smooth acceleration, better load handling, and improved vehicle performance.

Transmission

It takes the motor’s mechanical power and delivers it to the wheels, enabling the vehicle to move smoothly on the road. This process ensures that the engine’s energy is effectively converted into motion, allowing the car to run efficiently and maintain proper speed and performance.

Battery

The battery acts as a power source for EVs. It stores the electrical energy to drive the motors. How long your vehicle travel depends on the battery capacity. The higher the capacity, the higher the ability to travel distance.

Using more batteries to increase the distance traveled by the vehicle is not the right way. It unnecessarily increases the weight and reduces the space available. Due to that, it decreases fuel economy and energy efficiency.

The best way to maximize the driving distance is to use compact and energy-efficient batteries. This battery has a high electrical storage capacity, compact, and is light in weight.

Recent innovations in lithium-ion batteries make them more efficient to store energy, and their discharge rate is less. These are compact and have a good life.

Traction Battery Pack

Each battery is connected to the other to form a single battery pack. It links all batteries to form a single unit to operate. In some vehicles, all batteries are equally distributed and arranged below the four seats and construct a traction battery pack.

Battery Management System

Battery Management System is for vehicles to use more than 2 batteries as energy storage. In EVs, thousands of short batteries using, and all need to be in good condition for better performance.

The function of the battery management system is to monitor the status of each battery and adjust the power status of each battery using a relay system.

It is built with each battery and connects all to get better efficiency. It allows all batteries to get operate as a single unit.

Battery Heating System

The function of the battery heating system is to maintain the ideal temperature of all batteries. There is variation in temperature as per weather and place. So it is necessary to have a battery heating system for better performance and good battery life. 

Onboard Charger

It converts Alternating Current from our home or any other place into Direct Current. It looks like a traditional inverter, but it is different in function. 

Charge Port

It is a port where a plug can be inserted to charge the vehicle. It connects the external power supply to the car.

Electric Power Control Unit

Electric Power Control Unit consists of an inverter, low voltage DC-DC converter, & vehicle control unit. It helps control the flow of electricity in the vehicle.

Inverter- The function of the inverter is to convert DC to AC. It is necessary to have AC to accelerate and decelerate the motor to run the vehicle. It improves the drivability of the car. Also, it converts AC into DC during regenerative braking and charging of batteries.

Low voltage DC-DC converter- It converts the high voltage electric power from the battery to the low voltage electric power and supplies it to the various electronics part of the car. All electronic part is not operating on the high Direct Current.

Vehicle Control Unit- It is a power-controlling unit of all vehicles. It controls the motor, A/C load management, regenerative braking, and electricity supply to all remaining electronic parts.

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Official websites of US government for more information.