Transportation • Short read + interactive lab
How does an electric vehicle work?
The battery sends electricity to a motor. Magnetic forces spin the motor and turn the wheels.
The big idea
Electricity goes in. The motor spins.
Pressing the accelerator tells the car how much power you want. The battery sends electricity to an inverter, which controls the electricity going to the motor. Magnetic forces inside the motor make it spin. Gears connect that spinning motion to the wheels.
Your SimpleSci lab
Getting the moving parts ready…
Someone had to figure this out
Electrical + mechanical engineer
EV engineers design batteries, motors, electronics, gears, cooling systems, and safety systems that all work together.
Your turn: If you could improve one part, what would you change and why?
Find this interesting? Maybe you should be an electrical or mechanical engineer when you grow up!
Why is an electric motor different from a gasoline engine?
A gasoline engine burns fuel and moves pistons up and down. An electric motor does not burn gasoline. It uses magnetic forces to spin a part called the rotor. This lets the motor make strong turning force even at low speed.
How can an EV put energy back into the battery?
During regenerative braking, the wheels turn the motor instead of the motor turning the wheels. The motor acts like a generator, which means it turns motion into electricity. Some of that electricity goes back to the battery.
4 · Quiz
Does it make sense now?
Answer all five questions. Your best score is saved on this device.