Why can’t electric cars charge themselves like combustion engines can charge it’s own battery?
Because the combustion engine uses the combustion to charge the battery via a generator (alternator in a car). The electric car uses the battery to run the car. So using a battery to charge a battery is both pointless and will result in a net loss of energy due to heat.
The Short Answer
Because the combustion engine uses the combustion to charge the battery via a generator (alternator in a car). The electric car uses the battery to run the car. So using a battery to charge a battery is both pointless and will result in a net loss of energy due to heat. Also, electric cars do charge themselves when you use the breaks or are coasting downhill in cruise control and it's slowing you down by applying a generator to the drive shaft (?) causing resistance while generating electricity
Analysis
Key Concepts: Battery, charge, combustion
This explanation focuses on battery, charge, combustion and spans 87 words across 4 sentences. At 21% above the average Science explanation (72 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “Because the combustion engine uses the combustion to charge the battery via a generator (alternator in a car).” It then elaborates by explaining the root cause, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 4 connected points.
How This Compares in Science
Ranked #166 of 500 Science questions by answer depth (top 34%). This falls in the detailed tier — above average depth. The explanation goes beyond surface-level but keeps things accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why electric cars charge themselves like combustion engines can charge it's own battery?
Because the combustion engine uses the combustion to charge the battery via a generator (alternator in a car). The electric car uses the battery to run the car. So using a battery to charge a battery is both pointless and will result in a net loss…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Science questions?
This is an above-average answer at 87 words, ranked #166 of 500 Science questions by depth. The key concepts covered are battery, charge, combustion.
What approach does this answer take to explain electric cars charge themselves like combustion engines can ?
The explanation uses root cause analysis across 87 words. It is categorized under Science and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.