Tesla Roadster: How it Works

Energy Storage System (ESS) The Tesla Roadster instead of supporting a regular gasoline engine is powered by what Tesla calls the energy storage system. This system consists of a bank of lithium ion powered batteries that are the main source of power in the roadster. There are exactly 6,831 of these lithium batteries in one roadster, in total they they have a combined weight of 1,000 pounds.

Power Electrics Module (PEM) The power electric module also plays a vital role in the engine of Tesla Roadster. The PEM essentially performs to important tasks, being a power inverter and a charging system. The power inverter transforms all the electric DC power from the batteries and turns it into useable AC power that the roadster then uses to produce power and torque.

Power Electrics Module (PEM) The other important role the PEM performs is recharging the batteries. The PEM allows the batteries to be drained down during use then recharges them as much before the vehicle is used again. The PEM allows for a dramatic increase in power over previous electric engines, ultimately allowing tesla to produce the first fully electric powered vehicle. The batteries crank out 200kw of energy, enough to power 2,000 incandescent light bulbs.

Regenerative Braking System This braking system created by Tesla captures the kinetic energy that is usually by braking on most cars. Tesla uses this captured energy from the brakes and redirects it back to the ESS, repowering the batteries.

How to Recharge The Tesla Roadster can be recharged in two different ways. You can get an electrician to come and install a recharging station in your garage. This recharging station was influenced by the smartphone industry in the sense that Tesla made it so you can plug your car in at night and it will be fully charged in the morning. It takes approximately 3.5 hours to fully recharge a dead Roadster battery.

How to Recharge The second way to charge your Roadster is with their mobile kit. This mobile kit allows customers to recharge their Roadster through any electrical outlet, making charging your Tesla a breeze. The charging time depends on the output of the electric outlet.

Safety Although having a trunk full of batteries is more reassuring than a a tank full of highly combustible gasoline it still has its concerns. Most of these concerns arose from the laptop industry as they use the same batteries and have had melting issues. Tesla made sure that safety was one of their top priorities and they held “catastrophe testing” to ensure that the Roadster was as safe as possible.

Safety The battery cells are spaced a couple inches from each other in their own compartment to minimize potential risks. If one of the battery cells overheats it will not affect any of the other cells and allows the user to safely make it to a service center to get the issue remedied. The Roadster has a plethora of different sensors constantly monitoring the cars temperature, smoke, acceleration, tilt etc.