Start now! Basic knowledge of EV (Electric Vehicle)
Electric vehicles (EVs) are currently attracting attention. In addition to the role of the automobile itself, it is also expected to play an active role as a storage battery that plays an active role in times of disaster. Because it runs on electricity, it is environmentally friendly, so some people may be thinking about purchasing it. This article explains the basics of EVs (electric vehicles).
The 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to three researchers, including Akira Yoshino (Asahi Kasei Honorary Fellow).
The Nobel Prize Committee highly praised the role played by Mr. Yoshino and others in the development of the "lithium-ion battery" and decided to award the prize. Introduced in 1991, lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable, compact and lightweight. It greatly contributes to the miniaturization and longer battery life of IT devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, and laptops, and plays an active role as an important infrastructure that constitutes the current IT society.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are expected to play an active role in secondary batteries such as lithium-ion batteries in the future . Let's study the basics of the current electric vehicle situation along with hybrid vehicles (HV) that are popular in Japan!
Japan in 2019 when 10% of all cars are eco-cars
In 2018, the number of automobiles owned in Japan was approximately 77.93 million . Of these, 7.53 million are hybrid vehicles (HV) and 93,000 are electric vehicles (EV) (according to the Automobile Inspection and Registration Information Association, figures excluding motorcycles). A quick calculation shows that nearly 10% of all automobiles in Japan are HVs and EVs.
In particular, Toyota's Prius series, which appeared in 1997 , has an overwhelming presence, with global sales exceeding 3.98 million units in 2017 and occupying the top position in the domestic new car registration ranking in the first half of 2019.
Reference: Changes in the Number of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles Owned | Number of Cars Owned | Automobile Inspection and Registration Information Association.
Electricity and gasoline, HV of the good things
In this way, HVs have greatly changed the Japanese automobile market. In contrast to conventional automobiles, which have various problems such as CO2 emissions and the depletion of fossil fuel resources, HVs have gained citizenship as representative "eco-cars."
Now, HVs occupy a large share in Japan. On the other hand, the share of EVs is currently expanding rapidly overseas. In China, which has a huge market, and in Europe, where environmental awareness is high, sales have increased rapidly due to the effects of legal regulations and subsidies for purchasing EVs, and in 2018, 1.3 million units were sold worldwide. . Of these, 770,000 units are from the Chinese market, which shows the magnitude of the impact China has on the automobile market.
How a HV Works - A Hybrid of a Gasoline Engine and a Motor
First, let's take a look at how HV works.
HVs have two types of drive systems: a gasoline engine and a rechargeable battery. The Prius and other HVs that use the "series-parallel system" achieve high efficiency by using gasoline engine drive, motor drive, and power storage in rechargeable batteries according to driving conditions.
When moving a car, the most energy is required when starting. A normal car weighs about 1 ton, so it takes a lot of energy to move that much mass. Therefore, when the HV starts moving, the electricity stored in the battery turns the motor to move the car. As a result, gasoline consumption is reduced.
During normal driving, the engine and motor are driven at the same time. The motor is also running at the same time, so the engine doesn't rev too high and waste gasoline. In addition, the driving force of the engine is used to charge the battery.
Even during sudden acceleration and sudden starts, the motor speed is increased instead of the engine speed to ensure driving force. When decelerating or stopping, the rotation of the tires is used to rotate the motor and charge the battery. This mechanism is called "regenerative braking" .
In this way, a HV that skillfully combines a motor and a gasoline engine can be said to be a high-tech eco-car that achieves the best of both worlds.
What are the capabilities of next-generation eco-cars and EVs?
Therefore, EV is currently attracting attention. In Japan, the EV era began in 2010 with the launch of the Nissan Leaf. The EV drive system has a simple structure consisting of a storage battery and a motor. However, because it is still in the process of becoming popular, there are disadvantages such as a small number of charging stations and a short driving distance on a single charge.
Let's take a look at the characteristics of EVs.
EV with good energy efficiency and excellent cost performance
The first feature of EVs is their high operating efficiency, so-called "electricity cost . " For gasoline vehicles, the term of "fuelefficiency" is used, but for EVs, the term of "electricity efficiency" is used instead of "fuel efficiency." For example, the Nissan Leaf has increased its cruising range with each model change, and the current model can run 570km on a single charge.
In the case of gasoline vehicles and HVs, many of them have a cruising range of over 1,000 km with a full tank, so they look inferior, but EVs have the advantage of being able to charge without stopping at a gas station. Charging stations are increasing in car dealerships, highway service areas and shopping malls. Of course, if you install an EV charging outlet at home, it goes without saying that you can charge at home at night.
In addition, car manufacturers offer monthly charging plans. Nissan offers a "Usage-hodai Plan" that allows you to use quick charging as many times as you like for 2,200 yen (tax included) per month (quick charging is free, normal charging is 1.5 yen per minute). If you use such services well, the cost performance is good.
Great for both disasters and everyday life! EV as a “giant storage battery”
And the biggest advantage of EV is that it is a "huge storage battery" . By using EV as a storage battery, it becomes possible to use electric equipment outdoors, so it is useful for outdoor leisure activities.
However, this "EV = giant storage battery" shows its true value when a disaster occurs. In September 2019, in Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture, where a large-scale power outage occurred due to a typhoon, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. rented an EV as a power source. The EV was placed in a community center and played an active role as a power source for fans, refrigerators, lighting, etc.
In response to the typhoon damage, TEPCO requested each automobile manufacturer to dispatch EVs, etc. Nissan dispatched EVs, Mitsubishi Motors dispatched plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs), and Toyota dispatched PHVs and hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles. . Vehicles collected in Yokohama City were moved to the disaster area in Chiba Prefecture after charging, and continued support was provided in the form of taking turns when the charging level became low. The Nissan Leaf (with a 62kWh battery) can charge 6,200 smartphones and can run air conditioners for 16 hours.
Unlike gasoline-powered generators, EVs do not emit noise or smell. Large generators are costly to reach the affected areas because they need to be transported on a truck, but EVs can drive themselves, so there is no need to worry about that.
Effective as a power source for residential use
In addition, EVs can also serve as power sources for homes . If you have an EV that supports "V2H (Vehicle to Home)" and a power conditioner, you can use electric appliances such as air conditioners, lighting, and refrigerators as usual even during a power outage.
By incorporating V2H compatible EVs into home solar power generation systems such as solar power generation, home storage batteries, and power conditioners, it is possible to charge faster than usual and shift peak power demand. , exhibit higher potency.
EVs can make effective use of natural energy by using them in combination with household power generation systems.
Is it advantageous to buy an EV now? Should I wait?
By the way, for those who are thinking about purchasing an EV, isn't the "buying time" a concern ?
EVs are eligible for subsidies at the time of purchase as "Clean Energy Vehicle (CEV) Subsidies". In fiscal 2019, EVs will receive a Subsidy of up to 400,000 yen. Nissan “Leaf S” will be the upper limit of 400,000 yen, and Mitsubishi “i-MiEV M” of small and light vehicles will be 120,000 yen.
The amount of the subsidy is "the subsidy unit price per distance that can be driven on one charge (1,000 yen/km) × the distance that can be charged once" , so it is possible to drive a long distance on one charge = EV rechargeable battery capacity It depends on.
Subsidies are also provided for external power feeders. Regarding the EV compatible power conditioner introduced above, 1/3 of the manufacturer's suggested retail price will be subsidized for 4 devices currently available from 4 companies. The most expensive product, Toyota Industries' EVPS-L1 (manufacturer's suggested retail price: 1.5 million yen), will receive a subsidy of 500,000 yen.
In addition, there are subsidies from local governments. Under the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's "Electric Vehicle Popularization Promotion Project," individuals who purchase an EV eligible for the CEV subsidy receive 300,000 yen , and corporations receive 250,000 yen . there is). In addition, if the external power supply is also subject to government subsidies, half of the purchase cost (up to 400,000 yen) will be paid.
There is also a possibility that the subsidy will exceed 1 million yen! Now is the time to buy
Suppose an individual purchases a Leaf S in Tokyo and installs an EVPS-L1. Then, the government will provide a CEV subsidy of 400,000 yen and an external power supply subsidy of 500,000 yen. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will provide a subsidy of 300,000 yen for EVs and a subsidy of 250,000 yen for EVPS-L1 under the Project to Promote the Spread of Electric Vehicles, etc. deducted from the subsidy amount). A total of 1,450,000 yen will be provided. In addition, some local governments have a subsidy system, such as Koto Ward (uniform 100,000 yen per EV purchase) and Suginami Ward (up to 500,000 yen for installing quick charging equipment for EV).
Currently, the national and local governments are putting a lot of effort into popularizing next-generation vehicles, including EVs. Many EVs are still expensive when viewed as a single vehicle, but by combining them with solar power generation and utilizing subsidies and subsidies, the actual burden of purchasing a vehicle can be greatly reduced.
If you make good use of the systems of the national and local governments at the timing of new construction or renovation of a detached house, you can say that now is exactly the time to buy an EV .
