Electric Cars: Introduction from edX

Electric vehicles are the future of transportation. Electric mobility has become an essential part of the energy transition, and will imply significant changes for vehicle manufacturers, governments, companies and individuals.

If you are interested in learning about the electric vehicle technology and how it can work for your business or create societal impact, then this is the course for you.

The experts of TU Delft, together with other knowledge institutes and companies in the Netherlands, will prepare you for upcoming developments amid the transition to electric vehicles.

You'll explore the most important aspects of this new market, including state-of-the-art technology of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure; profitable business models for electric mobility; and effective policies for governmental bodies, which will accelerate the uptake of electric mobility. The course includes video lectures, presentations and exercises, which are all reinforced with real-world case studies including the Chevrolet Volt & Bolt EV and Lightyear One EV.

The production of this course would not have been possible without the contributions of the Dutch Innovation Centre for Electric Road Transport (D-INCERT) and is taught by experts from both industry and academia, who share their knowledge and insights.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Role of electric vehicles in the energy transition
Basics of electric car and charging technology
Types of electric cars and how do they work

Introduction to the business of electric vehicles and its future potential
Policy ambitions and policy instruments for electric mobility

Role of electric vehicles in the energy transition
Basics of electric car and charging technology
Types of electric cars and how do they work
Introduction to the business of electric vehicles and its future potential
Policy ambitions and policy instruments for electric mobility

Syllabus

Week 1: EVs in the energy transition

Introduction

Technology perspective of EV

Business perspective of EV

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Introduces the role of EVs in the energy transition

Covers state-of-the-art technology of electric vehicles and charging infrastructure

Provides a comprehensive introduction to electric vehicles

Taught by experts in the industry and academia

Examines profitable business models within the electric mobility sector

Presented by instructors from TU Delft, an institution recognized for its technical expertise

Reviews summary

Broad introduction to electric vehicles

Students say this course provides a largely positive and comprehensive introduction to electric vehicles, covering technology, business, and policy perspectives. It is widely praised as ideal for beginners or those seeking a broad overview, offering clear explanations and presented by knowledgeable instructors. While the course provides a solid foundation and includes helpful real-world case studies, some learners noted a limited technical depth, wishing for more detailed engineering aspects, which is common for introductory courses. The lectures and overall content quality are consistently rated highly, making it a valuable starting point for understanding the EV ecosystem.

Reinforces learning with real-world examples and relevant industry scenarios.

"The inclusion of real-world case studies like the Chevrolet Volt and Lightyear One was very helpful for practical understanding."

"I appreciated the practical examples that illustrated the concepts discussed, they made the theory much clearer."

"The case studies helped me connect the theoretical knowledge to actual applications in the EV market, very insightful."

Features experts who deliver clear, well-structured lectures effectively.

"The instructors are highly knowledgeable and articulate, making complex topics accessible and engaging."

"I found the video lectures very informative and the content well-organized, kudos to the professors."

"Professors are excellent and provide a good basis to build on for further studies in this evolving field."

Well-suited for those new to electric vehicles or the energy transition.

"This course is ideal for anyone who is just starting to learn about electric cars and their impact, very accessible."

"As a beginner, I found the concepts well-explained and easy to grasp, providing me with a solid foundation."

"It's a good introductory course if you're not an expert in EV and want to get broad knowledge of this field."

Offers a comprehensive look at EVs from technology, business, and policy.

"The course delivers an excellent overview of the technological, business, and policy aspects of electric vehicles."

"I appreciated how it covered the topic from technology, business, and policy perspectives, making it truly comprehensive."

"It offers a great high-level overview of the EV ecosystem, touching on various crucial elements. I found it very insightful."

Focuses on breadth over detailed technical or engineering explanations.

"While a great overview, I hoped for more technical details on battery chemistry or specific motor types."

"It's an introduction, so don't expect deep dives into the engineering aspects, which might disappoint some."

"As an engineer, I found it too basic; it often just scratched the surface rather than exploring deeper concepts."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Electric Cars: Introduction with these activities:

Review basic electric circuits

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Brush up on basic electric circuits to strengthen your understanding of the electrical systems in electric vehicles.

Browse courses on Electric Circuits

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Review notes or textbooks on electric circuits
Solve practice problems on circuit analysis

Create a study guide for electric vehicle history and evolution

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Organize and synthesize your notes and materials on the history and evolution of electric vehicles to enhance your recall and understanding.

Browse courses on Electric Vehicles

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Gather and review your notes and materials
Create an outline for your study guide
Write and organize the content

Review basic physics

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Review basic physics concepts such as mechanics, electricity, and thermodynamics to strengthen your understanding of the fundamentals of electric vehicles.

Browse courses on Physics

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Read introductory chapters of a physics textbook
Solve practice problems on basic physics concepts
Attend a refresher course or workshop on basic physics

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Analyze electric vehicle charging data

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Practice analyzing and interpreting data on electric vehicle charging patterns to gain insights into charging behavior and infrastructure needs.

Browse courses on Electric Vehicle Charging

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Download and clean electric vehicle charging data
Explore the data using statistical techniques
Identify trends and patterns in charging behavior

Volunteer as a mentor for aspiring electric vehicle engineers

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Share your knowledge and experience by mentoring aspiring electric vehicle engineers, reinforcing your understanding and contributing to the next generation of professionals.

Browse courses on Electric Vehicles

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Reach out to organizations or universities
Prepare materials and activities
Meet with and guide mentees

Attend an electric vehicle industry conference

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Engage with experts and professionals in the electric vehicle industry to learn about the latest advancements, challenges, and opportunities.

Browse courses on Electric Vehicles

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Research and identify relevant electric vehicle industry conferences
Register for and attend the conference
Network with attendees and speakers

Develop a presentation on electric vehicle policies

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Synthesize your knowledge of electric vehicle policies and create a presentation to share with others, enhancing your understanding and communication skills.

Browse courses on Electric Vehicles

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Research and gather information on electric vehicle policies
Structure and organize your presentation
Practice delivering your presentation

Participate in an electric vehicle design competition

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Challenge yourself by participating in an electric vehicle design competition to apply your knowledge and skills in a practical setting.

Browse courses on Electric Vehicles

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Form a team or work individually
Research and develop a design concept
Build and test a prototype

Career center

Learners who complete Electric Cars: Introduction will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Electric Vehicle Powertrain Engineer

Electric Vehicle Powertrain Engineers design and develop powertrains for electric vehicles (EVs). As an Electric Vehicle Powertrain Engineer, you will need to have a strong understanding of EV technology in order to develop and design efficient and powerful powertrains. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electric Vehicle Powertrain Engineer by providing you with a foundational understanding of EV technology, including the operation of an electric car, key parts, types of electric vehicles, and basics of EV charging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Powertrain Engineer

Electric Vehicle Design Engineer

Electric Vehicle Design Engineers design and develop electric vehicles (EVs). As an Electric Vehicle Design Engineer, you will need to have a strong understanding of EV technology in order to develop and design safe and efficient vehicles. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electric Vehicle Design Engineer by providing you with a foundational understanding of EV technology, including the operation of an electric car, key parts, types of electric vehicles, and basics of EV charging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Design Engineer

Electric Vehicle Charging Technician

Electric Vehicle Charging Technicians install, maintain, and repair electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. As an Electric Vehicle Charging Technician, you will need to understand how EVs and EV charging stations work in order to properly perform your job. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electric Vehicle Charging Technician by providing you with a foundational understanding of EVs and EV charging technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Charging Technician

Electric Vehicle Policy Analyst

Electric Vehicle Policy Analysts analyze and develop policies related to electric vehicles (EVs). As an Electric Vehicle Policy Analyst, you will need to have a strong understanding of EV technology in order to develop and analyze effective policies. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electric Vehicle Policy Analyst by providing you with a foundational understanding of EV technology, including the role of EVs in the energy transition, policy ambitions and policy instruments for electric mobility, and the social dimensions of EVs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Policy Analyst

Electric Vehicle Safety Engineer

Electric Vehicle Safety Engineers design and develop safety systems for electric vehicles (EVs). As an Electric Vehicle Safety Engineer, you will need to have a strong understanding of EV technology in order to develop and design safe and effective safety systems. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electric Vehicle Safety Engineer by providing you with a foundational understanding of EV technology, including the operation of an electric car, key parts, types of electric vehicles, and basics of EV charging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Safety Engineer

Electric Vehicle Regulatory Affairs Manager

Electric Vehicle Regulatory Affairs Managers manage regulatory affairs for electric vehicles (EVs). As an Electric Vehicle Regulatory Affairs Manager, you will need to have a strong understanding of EV technology in order to effectively manage regulatory affairs. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electric Vehicle Regulatory Affairs Manager by providing you with a foundational understanding of EV technology, including the role of EVs in the energy transition, policy ambitions and policy instruments for electric mobility, and the social dimensions of EVs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Regulatory Affairs Manager

Electric Vehicle Test Engineer

Electric Vehicle Test Engineers test and evaluate electric vehicles (EVs). As an Electric Vehicle Test Engineer, you will need to have a strong understanding of EV technology in order to effectively test and evaluate EVs. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electric Vehicle Test Engineer by providing you with a foundational understanding of EV technology, including the operation of an electric car, key parts, types of electric vehicles, and basics of EV charging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Test Engineer

Electric Vehicle Software Engineer

Electric Vehicle Software Engineers design and develop software for electric vehicles (EVs). As an Electric Vehicle Software Engineer, you will need to have a strong understanding of EV technology in order to develop and design effective software. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electric Vehicle Software Engineer by providing you with a foundational understanding of EV technology, including the operation of an electric car, key parts, types of electric vehicles, and basics of EV charging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Software Engineer

Electric Vehicle Salesperson

Electric Vehicle Salespeople sell electric vehicles (EVs) to customers. As an Electric Vehicle Salesperson, you will need to have a strong understanding of EV technology in order to effectively sell EVs to customers. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electric Vehicle Salesperson by providing you with a foundational understanding of EV technology, including the operation of an electric car, key parts, types of electric vehicles, and basics of EV charging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Salesperson

Electric Vehicle Fleet Manager

Electric Vehicle Fleet Managers manage fleets of electric vehicles (EVs). As an Electric Vehicle Fleet Manager, you will need to have a strong understanding of EV technology in order to effectively manage your fleet. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electric Vehicle Fleet Manager by providing you with a foundational understanding of EV technology, including the operation of an electric car, key parts, types of electric vehicles, and basics of EV charging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Fleet Manager

Electric Vehicle Product Manager

Electric Vehicle Product Managers develop and manage electric vehicles (EVs). As an Electric Vehicle Product Manager, you will need to have a strong understanding of EV technology in order to develop and manage effective products. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electric Vehicle Product Manager by providing you with a foundational understanding of EV technology, including the operation of an electric car, key parts, types of electric vehicles, and basics of EV charging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Product Manager

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planner

Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planners plan and develop infrastructure for electric vehicles (EVs). As an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planner, you will need to have a strong understanding of EV technology in order to plan and develop efficient and effective infrastructure. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planner by providing you with a foundational understanding of EV technology, including the basics of EV charging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planner

Electric Vehicle Marketing Manager

Electric Vehicle Marketing Managers develop and execute marketing campaigns for electric vehicles (EVs). As an Electric Vehicle Marketing Manager, you will need to have a strong understanding of EV technology in order to develop and execute effective marketing campaigns. This course can help you prepare for a career as an Electric Vehicle Marketing Manager by providing you with a foundational understanding of EV technology, including the operation of an electric car, key parts, types of electric vehicles, and basics of EV charging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Marketing Manager

Electric Vehicle Battery Engineer

Electric Vehicle Battery Engineers design and develop batteries for electric vehicles (EVs). As an Electric Vehicle Battery Engineer, you will need to have a strong understanding of battery technology in order to develop and design safe and efficient batteries. This course may be useful for you as it provides an overview of EV technology, including the basics of EV charging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Battery Engineer

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installer

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installers install and maintain electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. As an Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installer, you will need to have a basic understanding of EV technology in order to properly install and maintain EV charging stations. This course may be useful for you as it provides an overview of EV technology, including the basics of EV charging.

See salaries and explore the career path for Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installer