Motor vs. Engine: What’s the Difference?
Hannah DeWitt
· 3 min read
.webp&w=3840&q=1)
Though often used interchangeably, the words “engine” and “motor” do not mean the same thing. They are both power generators for machinery, but the mechanisms they belong to are very different.
Engines mainly use combustion to power cars, which burns gas to generate the energy that makes the car run. Motors rely on electric power to turn the wheels. Read on to dive deeper into how the two systems work, according to
Kia
.
Motor vs. engine
An internal combustion engine is the most common type of power generator for cars today. Combustion means that the engine gets its energy from burning fuel. The engine transfers the generated power to the transmission, pistons, and wheels, allowing the car to move.
Electric motors function very differently. Instead of using fuel like gas, motors require electric energy, which is stored in large battery packs that form the base of the car. These packs get energy from charging, similar to how combustion engines need to be refueled, though charging can be a much longer process.
The energy from the battery packs passes through a regulator that controls the voltage being sent into the motor, which then allows the motor to power the car.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Why are motors becoming more common?
Motors are on the rise as electric vehicles (EVs) continue to gain popularity. Hybrids have been making electric cars more accessible, but there has been a recent push for more all-electric EVs to help slow down climate change. Combustion engines are a huge part of the world’s emissions, so decreasing the amount of combustion engines in cars is a big focus for many governmental groups.
Countries like Norway and Sweden are well on their way to banning combustion engines entirely, with much of the populace already driving EVs. President Joe Biden has also made it a goal to push for EVs to make up 50% of new car sales by 2030.
Progress in the U.S. has been slow, as many people are resisting the switch to electric cars. Consumers are concerned about how lagging infrastructure will affect the range and reliability of their electric cars.
What will the future of EVs look like?
MORE: A British Startup Will Provide EV Charging on the Go
In order for more widespread adoption of EVs to happen in America, EV infrastructure needs to improve dramatically. EVs are seeing
increased ranges
, now able to drive up to 500 miles on one charge, but accessibility factors like the number of charging stations and EV charging times need to continue to improve.Electric grids will also need to be adapted to accommodate the large amounts of extra energy they will be required to conduct.
EVs can be expensive, but in states like California and Washington, they can be a good investment. Save money on insuring your EV with
Jerry
. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price.
