New Energy Electric Vehicles

Zero emissions
This is the big one. Electric vehicles don’t burn diesel or petrol so they produce zero exhaust emissions. That means no harmful gases like carbon dioxide that add to global warming. Also, there are no sooty particulates that add to poor air quality, especially in our towns and cities where vehicles tend to ‘stop/start’.

Cleaner fuel
Petrol and diesel cars mean fossil fuels. Dug from the ground and refined, requiring huge amounts of energy. In contrast, with more renewable energy in our electric grid than ever, the energy required to charge an electric vehicle is much cleaner, especially if you are on a green tariff. Even if you’re on a standard tariff, there are ways you can make sure you’re charging with the cleanest energy possible.

Lower running costs
While the price of an EV may be similar to most comparable petrol or diesel cars, the cost of running one is significantly cheaper, particularly over the full lifetime of the vehicle. The fuel benefit alone can be huge. It costs around £65 to fill the average car with unleaded petrol. By comparison, EV charging costs between 1-10p per mile, which means you can drive 100 miles for as little as £1 depending on your energy tariff.

Lower maintenance costs
There are only three main components powering electric vehicles – the onboard charger, inverter and electric motor. This means there is far less wear and tear on the car and fewer moving parts susceptible to damage. All this means you’ll rarely have to have your EV serviced and in most cases the repair costs are minimal.

Today’s EVs are very different from ICE (internal combustion engine) gasoline-powered vehicles. The new breed of EVs has benefited from a series of failed attempts to design and build electric vehicles using traditional methods of production used by manufacturers for decades.

There are numerous differences in how EVs are manufactured when compared to ICE vehicles. The focus used to be on protecting the engine, but this focus has now shifted to protecting the batteries in manufacturing an EV. Automotive designers and engineers are completely rethinking the design of EVs, as well as creating new production and assembly methods to build them. They are now designing an EV from the ground up with heavy consideration to aerodynamics, weight and other energy efficiencies.

• The single biggest modification of the car is the underbody. While this structure has been very similar in the past, with EVs there is no engine and there are no exhaust systems needed. There is an aerodynamically designed full belly pan under the EV that contains trays where the battery pack is placed. With more and more variations and shapes of battery packs available for different models, the challenge is to be able to make these variations on one Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS). Since all EV battery cells are quite heavy, flexible robotic lines are necessary.

• In addition, FMS production lines must accommodate many new robotically performed joining methods. In many instances spot welding is being replaced by an increased use of self-piercing rivets, gluing, sealing, flow drilling, and laser welding — and are specifically chosen depending on the tray used for each particular type of battery cell.

• The EV’s inner structure is called a “space frame” and is made of strong, lightweight aluminum — and for additional weight-savings, the wheels are also made of aluminum instead of steel. Using manufacturers molds, these aluminum parts are poured at a foundry. In addition, the steering wheel and seat frames are made of magnesium, a strong, lightweight metal. Even the body panels are made of lightweight aluminum, or an impact-resistant composite plastic. Both materials are recyclable, providing long-term disposal advantages.

• In an effort to reduce weight, the structural frame, seat frames, wheels and body are designed for high-strength, safety — and the lightest possible weight. New configurations have been developed that provide support for the components and protection of the vehicle occupants with minimal mass and use of high-tech materials, including aluminum, magnesium and advanced composite plastics.

• The windshield is solar glass that keeps the interior from overheating in the sun and frost from forming in winter. Materials that provide thermal conservation reduce the energy drain that heating and air conditioning impose on the batteries.

• Some features did have to be eliminated or changed while leaving all the comforts drivers find desirable and adding new considerations as well. One feature that was removed because of space restrictions was the spare tire. This was possible because the EV tires contain a sealant to repair any leaks automatically. In addition, the tires are rubber and designed to inflate to higher pressures, so the car rolls with less resistance to conserve energy.

• An added safety consideration was a pedestrian warning system, because EVs run so quietly that pedestrians may not hear them approach. Driver activated flashing lights and beeps warn pedestrians that the car is approaching. This system works automatically when the car is put in reverse as well.

Prioritize ev battery care
Your electric car's high-voltage battery pack is probably the most essential component of your entire vehicle. Not only is it the power source of your EV, but it also saves you money by omitting fuel stops (in some EVs). Therefore, the battery pack should be top of mind.

• Don't overcharge your battery.

Unless you’re driving for an extended amount of time, there’s no need to charge your battery to 100 percent. Although this may feel counterintuitive, consistently charging your EV's battery to its max may cause it to wear at a faster rate. Ideally, you’ll want to keep your battery pack’s charge in the 20 percent to 80 percent range.

• Don't undercharge your battery for extended periods.

Avoid leaving your EV's battery with little to no charge for long periods of time. Doing so may also affect your car battery's health and cause degradation at a faster rate. Try keeping your battery's charge at no less than 20% on a regular basis.

• Pay attention to where you park.

Heat can eventually wreak havoc on your EV's battery performance, while low temperatures can lower your battery’s range. Look for covered parking during extreme weather conditions to help your battery pack stay in the best shape possible. Your high-voltage battery pack may also have its own cooling system, which could require occasional inspection and maintenance.

Change the oil (if needed)
Do electric vehicles use oil? It depends, particularly on what type of electric car you have. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) with a combustion engine will need occasional oil changes and cooling system and fuel and air intake system inspections.

Maintain your brakes
The kinetic energy that EV regenerative braking systems use creates electricity. This conversion of energy provides your battery pack with more power. However, EVs (and hybrids) with regenerative braking systems still have conventional friction brakes with brake fluid, rotors, pads, drums, shoes, etc.

The regenerative brakes and conventional friction brakes work in parallel on your EV. And similar to standard vehicles, getting conventional brake inspections should be a regular part of your EV’s scheduled maintenance.

Get regular tire rotations
Getting regular tire rotations may help to reduce tire wear, ensure even tread depth across all four tires, and potentially keep money in your pocket by minimizing frequent tire replacements. All of which is why you should continue to perform tire rotations for your ride.

Tire rotation schedules for EVs are often similar to those of gas or hybrid vehicles: about every 6,000 miles. But you'll want to follow your manufacturer's suggested maintenance schedule for a more vehicle-specific timeline.

In addition to tire rotations, maintaining the appropriate pressure, wheel alignment, and balance of your tires may help to sustain performance and longevity.

Inspect/refill fluids when needed
Your hybrid or electric car may still have an engine, which could require oil changes and cooling system inspections. It may not have a traditional automatic transmission, but it likely has a gear reduction ‘transmission’ or gearbox containing lubricant.

Longzhi Qi (Shandong) Electric Vehicle Sales Co. Ltd's factory is located at No. 4567, Gongbei Road, Liguang Economic Development Zone, Guodian Street, Licheng District, Jinan City, Shandong Province. Our factory occupies a large area and is equipped with modern production facilities and advanced management systems to ensure that every production process meets the highest standards.