What is an EV?

There are several EV types, all powered a little differently, such as:

• Battery electric vehicles (BEVs), also known as fully electric cars, are powered by rechargeable electric batteries. These are completely powered by electricity, producing no tailpipe emissions and having no combustion engine.
• Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are powered by an electric motor as well as a small combustion engine. You can drive these cars for 20 to 60 miles (32 to 97 km) on electricity alone before you need to plug them in at a charging station. They produce some emissions when they use another fuel, such as gasoline, to power an internal combustion engine. 
• Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are equipped with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor that primarily operates at low speeds to provide additional assistance. The battery is charged either by the combustion engine or through recuperation when braking. When the combustion engine operates, it produces tailpipe emissions. 
• Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) use electric motors. Electricity in this type of vehicle is generated using fuel cells and can be stored in a compact buffer battery. These vehicles rely on hydrogen as fuel, which is stored in compressed tanks.

EVs matter because they are an essential component of the energy transition, proving their role in helping us protect the planet, save money and improve our lives. Some of their benefits include:

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: EVs, most notably fully electric cars, emit less carbon dioxide and other pollutants than conventional combustion engine-powered vehicles, especially when using renewable energy sources. This helps to mitigate climate change and improve air quality.
• Enabling savings on fuel and maintenance: EVs have lower running costs than conventional vehicles, since they use less or no fossil fuels (petrol or diesel) and have fewer moving parts that require maintenance.
• Enhancing energy security and diversification: EVs can reduce the dependence on imported oil and gas and increase the use of domestic and renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, hydro and biomass.
• Creating new jobs and industries: EVs can stimulate innovation and investment in the automotive sector, as well as in related fields such as battery manufacturing, charging infrastructure, smart grid and hydrogen production.

 

 

GHD is a global professional services company that provides engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services to various sectors, including transportation. GHD is committed to supporting the transition to low-carbon mobility and delivering sustainable solutions for its clients.

Some of the projects that GHD has delivered that are related to EVs are:

• ZEVO: GHD developed ZEVO, a web-based tool that helps organisations to assess the feasibility and benefits of electrifying their vehicle fleets. ZEVO uses data analytics and machine learning to provide customised recommendations for optimal fleet composition, charging infrastructure requirements, operational costs and environmental impacts. GHD uses ZEVO to transition its own vehicle fleet to net-zero emissions.
• Charging towards fleet decarbonisation for School District 42: GHD assisted School District 42 in British Columbia, Canada to develop a strategy for electrifying its school bus fleet. GHD conducted a fleet assessment, charging infrastructure analysis, financial modelling exercise and stakeholder engagement process. The project resulted in a roadmap for achieving 100% fully electric drivetrains for school buses by 2030.

Articles referenced

^{Business Standard n.d., ‘What is electric vehicle’, retrieved May 10, 2023, from https://www.business-standard.com/about/what-is-electric-vehicle}

^{TWI n.d., ‘What is an EV (Electric Vehicle)?’, retrieved May 10, 2013, from https://www.twi-global.com/technical-knowledge/faqs/what-is-an-ev}