One way to green your business is through use of electric vehicles, making it essential for you and your employees to understand electric car motors and actuators. At their most basic, motors make your vehicle run and actuators convert energy into motion.

While there are many electric motors out there, the most popular electric car motors in use are DC Series wound electric car motors, Permanent Magnet DC electric motors and 3-Phase AC induction motors. Before purchasing or utilizing electric motors automotive and electric cars parts, understand electric car motors and actuators basics.

1. Get basic information about electric motors for cars.

2. Learn about electric car actuators.

3. Find cleaning and maintenance information about electric car motors online.

Action Steps
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Learn about auto electric motors

Ensure you are knowledgeable about the design, specifications and application of electric auto motors. Even if you will not be in charge of installation, maintenance or repair of the electric motor it is crucial for you to understand the basics to ensure that your vehicle functions smoothly and safely. There are a number of online resources to educate you and your workforce about electric motors.

I recommend: Check out a diagram provided by Georgia State University depicting how automotive electric motors work; the site also provides links to other useful resources. Electronics Manufacturers offers a concise article about car electric motors.

Understand electric actuators and the role they play in green vehicles

Being knowledgeable about electric actuators is also a smart move regardless of whether or not you will be directly responsible for installation, maintenance or repair activities. Understanding electric cars parts is critical to saving time and money on costly repairs that could be avoided by understanding how actuators properly run and function. You can learn these basics with online resources.

I recommend: Learn about electric actuators by watching a video provided by the National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning; lectures 7 and 8 will be the most useful. Project Mechatronic offers an informative article about electric linear actuators.

Clean and maintain your automotive electric motor

Maintaining a car electric motor is important to save your business time and money. Neglected electric car engines and actuators not only cost you in repairs but will also hamper business activities due to out of commission vehicles and lost time. Understanding basic maintenance and repair information will be beneficial for you and your employees.

I recommend: Maintenance World describes the best way to maintain your electric car motor. Visit the University of Florida to learn how to clean an electric motor; click on section 6.16 to access the appropriate chapter.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Before purchasing an electric motor make sure it is an electric vehicle motor. There are many electric motors for sale that can be used in a variety of applications and may not necessarily be appropriate for use in an automobile.

Automotive electric motors power most hybrid vehicles, electric cars and cars that contain a fuel cell. Electric car engines are a great alternative to gasoline engines. They are environmentally friendly and energy efficient.

Electric car motors vary in type and size. Electric car motors and actuators can power large and small vehicles. You should carefully consider a few key factors and specifications before determining which car electric motor is best for your company’s needs. When looking at your options for auto electric motors, consider the following:

1. There are two main types of electric auto motors, DC and AC.

2. Electric car motors have the ability to power machinery.

3. New and used car motors are available for purchase.

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Choose AC and DC electric car motors to help your electric cars run efficiently

DC motors offer power at 96 to 192 volts, depending on the size of the motor. They are often cheaper and easier to operate than their AC counterparts. On the other hand, AC motors offer up to 240 volts and usually work with a battery pack. Both AC and DC electric motors can work well for your electric car and vehicle needs.

I recommend: Weaver Electric Company offers a wide variety of DC motors. Each motor is high quality and a great deal for any company looking for electric car parts. RC Electric Motors has a large selection of AC motors for use in electric cars and vehicles. Their inventory boasts AC motors up to 800 horsepower.

Get electric cars' parts for your company's cars and machinery

Electric car motors and actuators are an environmentally friendly option for cars and machinery. Car electric motors and actuators replace traditional gasoline motors that are the norm for today's vehicles. They also often save money as well as being energy efficient.

I recommend: Check out the selection of electric motors and car actuators at Grainger. You are sure to find a motor to match your company’s needs and a store branch located in your area if you don't want to order on the Internet. Tower Electric Motor Company also offers a large selection of automotive electric motors at great wholesale prices.

Pick companies that offer multiple services for your car electric motors

The best car electric motor manufacturers offer high quality products and great services. Whether you find a company that builds custom motors or offers repairs and other services, your business will benefit from the results of these perks.

I recommend: MSC Industrial Direct not only offers a large assortment of DC motors, but they also offer a virtual catalog. Check out Galco Industrial Electronics for high quality AC motors and a reliable service and repair option for customers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You can modify gasoline-powered cars to run on electricity. Look for special kits for this purpose.

Electric car motors are the most popular of all the hybrid alternate-fuel vehicles. Electric car motors and actuators are new technologies that companies have recently developed to replace the gasoline-powered motors. As the popularity of the electric car increases, automatic mechanics and garages need to be able to service these types of vehicles.

Prepare for future trends in the automotive repair industry by keeping on track with the developments in the automotive electric motor. The technology focuses on fuel cell technology. Follow the three steps below to learn more about automotive electric motors.

1. Research the car electric motor in courses taken through universities and colleges.

2. Attend electric vehicle motor seminars, conferences and trainings.

3. Expand your knowledge of automotive electric motors by using resources that offer current information and advice.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about the car electric motor as part of an educational course

Discover the unique designs and uses of electric cars parts when you obtain electric car motors and actuators education and training through university programs.

I recommend: Stark State College of Technology offers an Associate of Applied Science program in Mechanical Engineering. One of its educational offerings is a course focused on fuel cell technology. Texas State Technical College, Waco offers courses in areas ranging from the mechanical aspects of fuel cell systems to components and troubleshooting along with repair.

Attend electric vehicle motor seminars to broaden your knowledge base

Going to a seminar gives you the opportunity to network with others interested in electric auto motors. It also gives you the chance to obtain hands-on training and allows you the opportunity to get your questions answered by experts in the field.

I recommend: EVhelp offers a seminar every Saturday focusing on electric-vehicle conversions. It encourages people to come to Florida for a vacation and take the seminar while you are there, since it's in a beautiful location only a couple of hours from Orlando. ACE Technologies offers short seminars that touch on different facets of the electric vehicle motor industry. Use these seminars to learn differences in auto electric motors and to find out how to build your own car.

Expand your knowledge of automotive electric motors through courses and online resources

Car electric motor training is critical for automotive mechanics as the consumer trend moves toward electric motor vehicles. The electric cars parts are fundamentally different, and it's important to keep up to date on the skills needed to work on them.

I recommend: Electro Automotive answers questions for those interested in learning more about electric motors. It offers information on topics ranging from chassis conversion to power accessories. InterPro Academics offers a hands-on course that aids students in grasping hybrid design. It instructs students in control and design in the electric motors automotive department.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Get your electric car motors and actuators education and training by interning with a company that designs and makes the vehicles.

Interest in electric cars is at an all time high, and electric motor technology is fueling the excitement. DC series wound motors are currently the most common motors in electric cars, but 3-Phase AC induction motors also show great promise. Electric car conversion kits might help you make your dream of owning an electric car a reality. New technology increases the range of electric car motors and may eventually allow quick, partial recharges and battery switching.

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Range

The range of an electric car motor describes how far you can drive without needing to recharge the battery. Manufacturers can only give you an estimate based on testing of a particular motor.

I recommend: TreeHugger.com has an article about recent advances by Tesla that increase the range of electric car motors.

Permanent magnet DC electric motors

In general, permanent magnet DC electric motors are for smaller vehicles such as motorcycles or scooters. They can be noisier than other motors, because they aren't brushless.

I recommend: Check out what the Lynch Motor Company is doing with its permanent magnet DC electric motors.

DC series wound electric car motors

DC series wound electric car motors have excellent torque even when starting from a standstill. The downside is that they don't climb hills well, and they have to run under a load.

I recommend: ZEVA uses diagrams to show how DC motors work and describes DC series wound electric motors as currently the most feasible option for electric cars.

3-Phase AC induction motors

3-Phase AC induction motors are more costly due to the cost of an inverter, but there are advantages. It can provide a better range and can handle a heavier car and rougher terrain than other motors.

I recommend: At Metric Mind, you can check out AC induction motors and their possible advantages in electric cars.

Electric actuators

Electric actuators are an essential part of your electric car motor, because they provide force and motion. Linear and rotary actuators are widely available.

I recommend: At Project Mechatronics, you can learn about recent advances in electric actuator technology.

Electric car conversion kits

Instead of buying a new car, convert your gas-guzzling vehicle into an electric one. You can purchase an electric car conversion kit online. Most kits require your vehicle to be under a certain weight or have manual transmission.

I recommend: Electro Automotive has a detailed chart on choosing an electric car conversion kits.