A Guide to Electric Vehicles

John C. Huang, Ph.D, PE, LEED AP

Course Outline

Over the past decade, the pace of technological developments in the automotive industry has picked up considerably as vehicle manufacturers focus on increasing the fuel efficiency of their vehicles and cutting CO₂ emissions. As a result, we see more and more hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and all-electric vehicles (EVs) on the road. In this course, we will review the history of electric vehicles since the 1800s, discuss various types of electric and hybrid electric vehicles, and examine their advantages and disadvantages. In addition, we will go over the infrastructure for charging plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs) and some frequently asked questions related to EVs.

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of course materials.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

• Be familiar with the history and trend of electric vehicles (EVs);
• Know various types of electric vehicles;
• Understand the pros and cons of EVs; and
• Appreciate EVs' role in helping us achieve sustainable transportation.

Course Introduction

According to a report from Ward's Auto, the global number of cars exceeded one billion in 2010. In the US alone, there are more than 250 million passenger vehicles (roughly a quarter of the global number.) When cars burn gasoline, they emit pollutants and cause smog. Some pollutants are believed to cause cancer and contribute to such problems as asthma, heart disease, birth defects and eye irritation. Emissions from cars also increase the levels of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which leads to global warming. Fortunately, new technologies such as hybrid cars, electric cars and alternative fuels will help.

Course Content

You are required to study the following document for this course:

A Guide to Electric Vehicles (PDF)

Related Link

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites or web pages:

Electric Vehicles Initiative
Tesla Motors

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDHonline.com or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered professional engineer. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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