How Do Electric Cars Work?

September 23, 2023

The market for electric cars is expanding, and we at Nissan are excited to continue offering top-of-the-line electric vehicles, including the brand-new Ariya. But how do they work, and what keeps them driving? How do you charge an electric car? What maintenance is required for an EV? We've got these answers and more in this guide to electric cars. See your Owner's Manual for full details.

What Is an Electric Car?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are vehicles that operate entirely on electricity and use a battery-powered motor rather than a combustion engine. Instead of relying on gas to get you from point A to point B, the battery is charged through a charging port on the vehicle's exterior.

The 2024 Nissan LEAF SV Plus has an EPA-estimated range of up to 212 miles for combined city/highway driving on a full charge¹ with a life expectancy of well over 100,000 miles. If you're interested in longer adventures, EVs like the 2023 Nissan Ariya VENTURE+ FWD can come with an EPA-estimated range of up to 304 miles for combined city/highway driving.2 Future EV's battery capacity/range and lifespan will likely continue to climb as manufacturers make further advancements in battery-powered vehicles.

Main Components of an Electric Car

Part of what makes electric cars so appealing is that they typically have fewer components than gas-powered cars, giving them a surprisingly straightforward design. With fewer parts, certain EVs may have fewer maintenance requirements. The main components found in electric cars are:

• Battery Pack:Set of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that store electricity used by the motor.
• Power Inverter:Converts direct current (DC) power from the batteries into alternating current (AC) to power the motor.
• Induction Motor: Turns electrical energy into mechanical energy that drives the cars wheels.
• Power Controller: Manages the flow of electricity from the battery pack in order to control the speed and torque generated by the motor
• Charge Port: The external connection point that supplies the battery with power during a recharge.
• Onboard Charger: Converts AC power from external power sources (such as at-home charging stations)³ into DC power to charge the battery and monitors battery conditions (voltage, temperature, current, state of charge) while charging⁴.

How Do Electric Cars Work?

The simple design is one of the biggest draws of electric vehicles. Gas-powered vehicles require dozens of rubber hoses, fuel lines, pipes, and other parts necessary to power the internal combustion engine (ICE). If you looked inside a Nissan LEAF or Nissan Ariya, however, you'd find a drivetrain with fewer than 20 parts, all connected through electrical wiring.

Electric Motor and EV Battery

An electric car sends power from a central battery pack to an electric motor which converts that electrical energy into mechanical energy to rotate the car's wheels. Most electric vehicles work by converting direct current from the batteries into alternating current that powers the motor, the same kind of power found in your home's electrical outlets. While direct current is typically a quicker way to channel electricity, an alternating current is necessary to create the induction in the car's motor that powers the wheels.

You might expect an EV to have a huge, singular battery that sits under the hood like an engine. However, an EV battery is really a pack of hundreds of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries laid out beneath the floorboards of the vehicle to help keep the center of gravity low. Since those batteries generate a significant amount of heat while driving, a cooling system can help keep the battery within optimal operating temperatures.

Putting the Car in Motion

When you push the pedal in a gas-powered vehicle, you're giving the vehicle more gas, which ultimately turns the wheels and puts the car in motion. In an electric vehicle, pressing the accelerator pedal sends direct current electricity from the battery to the controller, which regulates how much electricity flows to the rest of the powertrain. Pressing the pedal farther releases more current to increase speed and torque.

The inverter converts the DC power into AC power, and the induction motor uses the AC power to generate a rotating magnetic field. Rotational energy from the motor is transferred to the car's single-speed transmission, which physically turns each wheel.

Regenerative Braking System

It's not just how the wheels spin that makes an electric vehicle special. How they stop spinning is also important. Electric vehicles have what is known as regenerative braking. Accelerating drains power from the battery, and regenerative braking helps recharge the battery while decelerating ‐ similar to the function of a conventional car's alternator.

The energy generated during braking can be captured and transformed back into electricity by the induction motor, which then sends that electricity back to the battery for storage.

How Do You Charge an Electric Vehicle?

Think of charging your smartphone or tablet. Electric vehicles have a similar charging concept. As we mentioned earlier, your EV has a charging port, which is where you connect it to a charger to juice up its battery.

You have three EV charging options (see owner's manual for full details), and they vary based on speed:

• Level 1 chargingcharging generally uses a dedicated 120-V outlet and works for trickle charging, which can be an option when necessary.⁵
• Level 2 charging is the recommended charging option and is what you often find for home and public charging stations.⁶
• Level 3 charging uses DC Fast Chargers, which are only found at designated public charging stations.⁶ This is the fastest charging option.⁴

While you might find a gas station every few hundred feet, EV charging stations can be few and far between, especially if you're outside a metropolitan area. Make sure you know where nearby charging stations in your area are.

Worried about finding public charging stations? You may opt for at-home charging! Nissan has teamed up with Wallbox to offer you a charging solution3 to help make home charging your Ariya or LEAF easier than ever before. A Level 2 wall charger can help you quickly charge your vehicle without leaving the comfort of your home.

What Maintenance Is Required for an Electric Car?

Since electric cars have far fewer moving parts than conventional vehicles, they typically require significantly less maintenance. Drivers of electric vehicles don't have to worry about regular fluid exchanges, spark plug replacements, worn-out engine belts, transmission issues, or other maintenance associated with internal combustion engines. In contrast, the battery pack, motor, and related electrical components on EVs require little to no regular maintenance. When comparing electric car maintenance costs vs gas car maintenance, you'll probably find yourself potentially saving on routine maintenance costs.

That doesn't mean EVs are free from all routine maintenance services, though. Electric vehicle owners still need to care for their cars including four main areas: the battery, brakes, tires, and coolant.

Battery

EV batteries typically come with long-lasting warranties and are meant to last the lifetime of the vehicle with proper use and maintenance. For example, your new Nissan EV battery may be covered by an 96 month/100,000 mile, whichever comes first, Limited Battery Warranty.⁷

Brakes

The efficiency of regenerative braking means less wear and tear on the braking system, but an electric vehicle's brake pads and brake fluid will still require regular replacements. However, you may have to replace these components less often than you do with a gas vehicle.

Tires

The efficiency of regenerative braking means less wear and tear on the braking system, but an electric vehicle's brake pads and brake fluid will still require regular replacements. However, you may have to replace these components less often than you do with a gas vehicle.

Coolant

Finally, the coolant that keeps the batteries and other electronic components from overheating may need replacing from time to time. Consult your owner's manual for your suggested EV maintenance schedule and visit your local Nissan dealer for EV service and repairs.

Find the EV Parts and Accessories You Need

Whether you own an electric Nissan vehicle or are considering one, you can get the right EV parts and accessories for your vehicle from Genuine Nissan Parts.

More Charging and Vehicle Information

¹Nissan LEAF Driving Range

2024 EPA estimated range of up to 149 miles for LEAF® S, up to 212 miles for LEAF SV PLUS for combined city / highway driving. 2024 EPA Fuel Economy Estimates 123 City MPGe / 99 Highway MPGe / 111 Combined MPGe for LEAF S, 121 City MPGe / 98 Highway MPGe / 109 Combined MPGe for LEAF SV PLUS. Based on EPA formula of 33.7 kWh equal to one gallon of gasoline energy. Actual mileage will vary with trim levels, options, and driving conditions. See Customer Disclosure Form for details. Use for comparison only.

²Ariya Driving Range

2023 MY EPA-estimated range up to 304 miles for combined city/highway driving for VENTURE+ FWD only. 2023 MY EPA Fuel Economy Estimates 111 City, 95 Highway. Based on EPA formula of 33.7 kW/hour equal to one gallon of gasoline energy, EPA rated VENTURE+ FWD equivalent to 111 MPG measured as gasoline fuel efficiency in city driving, and 95 MPG in highway driving. Actual mileage will vary with trim levels, options, and driving conditions. See Customer Disclosure Form for details. Use for comparison only.

³240-V Home Charging Dock

For Level 2 home charging use only a 240 volt charging dock on a dedicated outlet for charging. See Customer Disclosure Form for details. 240-V home charging dock sold separately. Not a Nissan product. Some chargers may not be compatible with your Nissan Ariya or Nissan LEAF. Contact charger manufacturer before purchase for information on compatibility and warranty. Nissan does not warrant and is not responsible for loss, including consequential, incidental, or other damages caused by charger defects, charger incompatibility, or installation services

⁴EV Battery Charging

Charging capacity and times may vary based on battery temperature. [For Level 1 home charging use only a 110-120 volt, 15-amp dedicated outlet for charging. See Customer Disclosure Form for details.]

⁵EV Battery Charging

Charging time and capacity may vary based on power source, ambient temperature, battery temperature, condition, and age, and use of vehicle accessories while charging. [For Level 1 home charging use only a 110-120 volt, 15-amp dedicated outlet for charging. For Level 2 home charging use only a 240 volt charging dock on a dedicated outlet for charging. See Customer Disclosure Form for details.]

⁶Public Charging Networks

Public charging networks are provided by independent companies, and are not within Nissans control. Availability of charging stations not guaranteed. See Owners Manual for safety information.

⁷Warranty

The Nissan lithium-ion battery and battery capacity limited warranty includes coverage for defects in materials or workmanship for 96 months/100,000 miles (whichever occurs first) as well as protection against capacity loss below 9 segments of capacity (out of 12) as shown on the vehicle's capacity gauge for a period of 96 months/100,000 miles (whichever occurs first). For complete information concerning coverage, conditions, limitations, and exclusions, see your Nissan dealer and read the new vehicle warranty information booklet.