Characteristics of electric vehicles
There are various characteristics of electric vehicles and various advantages have been demonstrated today over their use, including the reduction of emissions and noise pollution. In the following article, you will learn how these vehicles are being incorporated into people’s lives and what they can contribute to different aspects of our lives, such as personal finances, reducing our carbon footprint, and environmental care.
What is electric mobility?
Electric mobility is defined as means of transport that use electric motors to get going. It includes private cars, mass transportation vehicles such as buses or taxis, and alternative transportation such as bicycles, skateboards, and even automated cars that can make home deliveries.
Electric mobility in Panama
In April 2022, the President of the Republic sanctioned Law 162 , dedicated especially to encouraging electric mobility based on a new regulation that covers its development and implementation, going through the private, public and academic sectors, in which each one It must meet goals between 10% and 40% in the change of the vehicle fleet. With the definitions of this law, it is expected that by 2025, 10% of the car fleet, both in public sector entities and in public transport in the country, will be electric vehicle models.
The electric car market in the country
According to figures from the Comptroller General of the Republic, for the first quarter of 2022 the automotive sector represented a 3% contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Electric cars represented an important movement in the face of the economic effects of the COVID 19 pandemic with a growth of 72% in 2020. This shows the beginning of a reactivation that is expected to continue increasing with the new government regulations.
Vehicles brought by electric mobility
There are three types of electric vehicles that could be purchased on the market today, from single electric batteries to combinations with other motors. Depending on the make, model and purpose of these cars, you can find the following types of operation:
Battery Electric (BEV)
These cars (named in this way by its name in English Battery Electric Vehicle), are purely electric and have 0% emissions. The engines of these vehicles work solely with electrical energy, which is why they must be charged periodically by connecting their batteries to an electrical source and, in other cases, with a regenerative braking system that recharges the battery when braking while driving.
Plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV)
These cars combine an electric motor with a gasoline engine, can also be charged with regenerative braking depending on the model, and can run either way, either by electric charging or by using fossil fuels. However, the gasoline-powered engine is only activated once the electric battery has been fully discharged.
Hydrogen cells (FCEV)
Vehicles of this type, named for its name in English Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle, may have less capacity than a BEV car, since this plus is used only when additional force and traction are required.
Main characteristics of electric vehicles
These cars have substantial differences compared to the traditional ones powered by fossil fuels. Among its most important features are lithium-ion batteries, which can provide autonomy to the vehicle according to the model and the amount of secondary equipment such as air conditioning, lighting and other similar. On the other hand, electric cars not only contribute to the reduction of polluting emissions for the environment, but also their operation is much quieter than that of a combustion engine, which reduces noise pollution.
Benefits of electric vehicles
According to research from Environmental Sciences Europe, electric cars function as a suitable instrument towards a sustainable future in mobility. One of the most relevant advantages for its drivers is that its maintenance represents low costs. You can even save 50% of what you would need to invest in a traditional car, since certain spare parts, their installation, the use of oils and other liquids to prevent wear are no longer necessary. On the other hand, these are easier to drive, since they do not have a gearbox or clutch and those who have these cars receive much more economic incentives in tax payments and other legal obligations regarding transport. What preparation do you have to start driving an electric car? According to figures from specialized mobility media in Latin America, until April 2022, Panama has a charging point. Approximately 81 stations, most of them free, that you could use to move more sustainably around the country.
