How Does a Controller Work for an Electric Car?
The Pedal As in gas cars, the pedal in an electric car controls the amount of power the motor puts out. In electric cars, the pedal is attached to a potentiometer, a type of resistor. Resistors have that name because they resist the flow of electricity. The more resistance, the less current that flows through the resistor. A potentiometer differs from normal resistors in that its resistance changes as it is pressed down. Controlling the Controller The pedal controls the motor controller. A small current flows through the pedal to a circuit that monitors it. By measuring the amount of electricity that flows through the pedal, the circuit can tell how far down the pedal is pushed and how much power the controller needs to provide. The Simple Route The batteries of the car put out a set amount of power, but the motor must be able to put out more power when the pedal is down and less power when it is up. The easiest way to do this is with another potentiometer to control the amount of curr
