The motor in an electric car, despite the increasing popularity of this type of vehicle, is still a puzzling design for many drivers. However, the principle of its operation is quite simple. So how does it work? If you are curious about this question and want to know what motors are installed in electric cars today, be sure to read this article!
How the engine works in electric cars - key information
An illustration of how an electric motor works is best based on a comparison between an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. It is based on the conversion of chemical energy into mechanical energy. The former is the substance that propels the vehicle by generating gas and heat. This is the fuel, which is petrol, diesel or oil.
The motors in electric cars, on the other hand, generate mechanical energy from electricity stored in a lithium-ion battery, commonly referred to as a battery. This is precisely why they do not emit exhaust fumes that are harmful to the environment.
How do the motor and battery in electric cars work?
The electric drive in a car consists, as in combustion designs, of the engine itself and the energy storage unit. In the case of combustion cars, this is of course the tank for one of the fuel types. To drive an electric car, a battery that stores electricity is required. In both cases, the capacity of the tank or fuel translates into the range of the vehicle.
Differences in the way in which electricity is converted translate into a different design of electric motors in cars. Electric cars are equipped with units that are much simpler in design than internal combustion vehicles. An electric motor in a car is built with fewer components - a rotor and surrounding stator, magnets and (not always) brushes and commutators.
The motor of an electric car is connected to a lithium-ion battery. This is a galvanic cell made up of a cathode and an anode. Its function is to store and release electrical energy. Their operation is no different from the units that power electronic devices such as smartphones or laptops. As in their case, the battery of an electric car engine can be recharged several times. 
Types of electric motors
As mentioned above, the operating principle of an electric car is based on the conversion of energy stored in the batteries into mechanical energy. The electrical energy is released and transferred to the motor, which is thus set in motion. Electric motors are divided into brush and brushless motors.
In brush motors, an electromagnetic field is generated between the magnets. The brushes supply current to the motor, rotating the rotor. The commutators, in turn, are used to change the direction of the current flow and thus rotate the rotor in only one direction. In addition to these, there are brushless motors. Apart from the brushes, they also have no commutator. The rotor and stator alone are responsible for torque generation.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of electric drives used in cars?
Electric cars have many advantages that benefit not only the environment, but also the drivers themselves. Nevertheless, there are still problems whose solution is a great challenge for modern technology.
Advantages of an electric drive
Above all, the electric car engine is far more environmentally friendly than its combustion engine counterpart. Unlike a fuel-powered unit, it does not produce environmentally harmful greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and hydrogen sulphide.
The electric car is thus now being promoted as a means of urban transport. In many urban centres, only such vehicles are allowed to enter city centres. What is more, they can also use paid parking zones for free. Operating costs are also low because the price for 1 kWh of electricity is usually much lower than for 1 litre of fuel.
The great advantage that the engine has in an electric car is the much simpler construction not only of the engine itself, but also of the whole vehicle. The number of parts is significantly reduced. Electric cars do not have, for example, turbochargers and an oil filler. Also the clutch is not needed. The technically simplified design is therefore less prone to failure. The reason is mundane - the fewer parts, the less can break down.
The simpler design of an electric motor in a car is not only important for the driver. It also reduces production costs. However, much remains to be done in this case. The biggest issue with electric cars is the very high price of the battery, which is up to ⅓ of the price of the vehicle. 
Disadvantages of electric propulsion
A big problem with electric cars is their long charging times. Admittedly, it concerns not the motors themselves, but the batteries. Nevertheless, due to their inseparability, it needs to be mentioned. Even the shortest charging of the car means at least a 30-minute stop. Using a slower device to top up the energy is already several hours. Charging from an electrical socket at home, on the other hand, can take up to a dozen hours.
The aforementioned running costs, on the other hand, vary depending on where one lives. Those who are able to charge their car at home will notice a reduction in costs. Using public chargers can cost as much as filling up with fuel.
The generation of electricity itself is also a problem. The vast majority of it is generated in environmentally unfriendly power stations using coal or nuclear fusion.
Electric motors are simple, yet extremely efficient designs. Although they have been around for more than 100 years, it was only at the beginning of the 21st century that they gained popularity as a way of powering cars. However, the development of recharging technology and a reduction in the cost of battery production are essential for their popularisation. This is currently the biggest obstacle to the popularisation of ecotransport.
