The major difference between an electric car engine and a gasoline engine is the lack of internal combustion, however it is far more common, at least at the moment, to find a hybrid electric/gas vehicle. Electric cars, as you might imagine, plug in at night or while otherwise not in use, and the battery charges. While they are generally considered easier on the environment than purely petrol-driven vehicles, we believe that statement depends greatly on the type of fuels used to generate the electricity with which the car is juiced.
Some Hybrid / Electric Car Basics
Technically, a motor that is powered by gasoline is called an engine, while one powered by electricity is called a motor, however the terms electric engine and gas engine are both commonly used.
Most vehicles use a transmission to transfer power from the power source (engine, motor) to the drive wheels. A transmission uses gears to supply the power in predetermined ratios, depending on the power needs. In a traditional gasoline car engine, the fuel is mixed with air and ignited, providing power and also keeping a battery charged for emergency power requirements.
In an electric car motor, the power is provided directly by an electrically charged battery, and in a hybrid there is an efficient combination of both. Most often, the electric battery will be used in certain segments of the drive, and the gas engine will kick in when necessary. This usually makes for a quieter drive. In fact, in our test drives of certain hybrid vehicles, most notably the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Camry Hybrid, the car makes so little sound at a standstill it seems as if it’s not even running. This is one of several small side benefits of hybrid or pure electric car motors/engines.
Another benefit of electric cars or hybrid electric vehicles is that there is generally less wear and tear on the working parts. A gasoline engine requires many more parts to function, such as a fuel pump and filters, carburetors or fuel injectors, etc., seals and gaskets, and of course oil for lubrication. Add in the heat and pollution and you have much more wear and tear as well as routine maintenance. With an electric motor the scheduled maintenance consists of making sure the battery terminals are clean, the tires properly inflated and the windshield washer fluid is full. Simple! This translates to cost savings as well, and needs to be considered (most people just compare mileage numbers).
