8 Surprising Facts About Electric Cars You Probably Didn’t Know
In the last decade, the electric car is gone from being a novelty to a serious contender in the global car market. In fact, electric vehicles are expected to account for 52% of all sales by 2030 — and that’s just in the United States. But what many people don’t know is they were invented over 200 years ago. So, we found approximatlay eight surprising facts about electric cars that you probably didn’t know.
1. Electric Cars Were Invented Over 200 Years Ago
Electric cars have been around for over 200 years. The first electric car was invented by a man from Scotland named Robert Anderson in 1834. He used a four-wheel design and built his vehicle using a disposable battery and crude oil to generate electricity. It’s believed that the car he invented could travel at a speed of 12 kilometers per hour. And even though Anderson’s invention was never mass-produced, it did get the electric vehicle industry rolling.
2. EVs Have Magical Regenerative Braking
Electric vehicles have a regenerative braking system that converts the kinetic energy of the vehicle into usable electricity, which is stored in the battery. This system allows you to recover up to 70 percent of your vehicle’s kinetic energy and put it back into the battery. So the more you drive, the more energy you can capture. Regenerative braking also reduces wear on your brakes and brake pad dust. Nonetheless, EV brakes can fail just like normal cars, which is why it’s important to get insurance. If you’re looking for a good option, car insurance from Rollin Insurance is a good place to start.
3.EVs Would No Longer Be Silent
An announcement made by the Department of Transport in 2016 requires all-electric cars to emit noise at a speed of 19 mph or lower.
The reason behind this rule was that there were many instances where pedestrians and cyclists were injured or killed by electric vehicles that didn’t make any sound as they approached them. In fact, an NHTSA study revealed that 37% more pedestrian accidents are likely to happen with electric cars as compared to conventional vehicles. The sound will be similar to an internal combustion engine, and it will help people close to the car know that it’s coming closer. This is especially important for people who can’t hear sounds well and might not notice EVs coming up from behind them.
4. You Can Charge An Electric Car At Some Petrol Stations
Many petrol stations now have charging points for electric vehicles. This means you can recharge your hybrid electric car at the same time as you refuel it, so you never need to worry about running out of juice on long journeys.
5. You Can Power Your House With an Electric Car
The battery in an electric car can be used to supply power to your home or office during an emergency or when you have no access to electricity at all. This is especially useful if you live in an area where hurricanes or storms frequently hit the coastlines, or if you live in rural areas where power outages are common occurrences due to bad weather conditions and strong winds.
6. Electric Cars Can Get Priority Lanes In The Future
In the U.K., there are plans to create special lanes for electric vehicles in congested cities like London and Birmingham. This move would allow EV drivers to avoid traffic jams and get where they need to go faster than other drivers on regular roads.
7. Some EVs Have A New Feature To Keep Pets Cool
Tesla has introduced a new feature in its vehicles called Dog Mode. This function is designed for pet owners who want to leave their pets in the car while they run an errand. The feature allows owners to set the climate control of their vehicle to keep the interior cool and safe for pets. When the dog mode is activated, it displays a message on the center touchscreen informing passers-by that all is well and your dog is safe inside the car
8. Electric Cars Use AC Induction Motors
An electric car uses an AC induction motor, which is a type of synchronous motor used for propulsion. It’s the same type of motor that drives your washing machine and dryer, but it’s much more powerful and designed to work at high speeds. AC motors are known for producing torque from 0 RPM. On the other hand, internal combustion (IC) engines need to reach a certain RPM before they produce any meaningful amount of torque. This is why you have to give your car gas in order for it to actually go anywhere. No IC engine-powered car can match this feature, which is why electric vehicles accelerate faster than their IC counterparts.
Conclusion: So there you have it — 8 facts about electric cars that you probably didn’t know. If you’re looking for a way to reduce your carbon footprint, or just want a fun way to get around town, electric cars could be the perfect solution. There are lots of options available, and each one is better than the previous one!