ELECTRIC VEHICLES - Official Thread

[SkywlkrSnd]

Electric cars are one of the original "alternative fuel" vehicles and are powered by an electric motor that gets its energy from rechargeable batteries stored within the vehicle. They're quiet and produce zero emissions when running solely off the electric motor.

(While electric motors are increasingly being used in conjunction with a standard internal combustion engine, these are hybrid vehicles and are not usually considered in the same class as an all-electric vehicle.)

Electric cars have been around a long time and have historically gotten a bad rap due to the fact that they were underpowered, couldn't travel long distances, and the batteries' inability to hold a substantial charge after multiple recharges, a symptom known as capacity fade.

Battery technology is the core issue of the electric car. Their success or failure as a potential car of the future will essentially come down to the batteries. The cost, availability, capacity, and lifespan of current and future battery technology will have a direct impact on electric cars: how much they cost, how fast they can go, what their range will be, and how long they will take to recharge.

Technology has come a long way from the lead-acid batteries in yesterday's electric cars. Nickel-cadmium and nickel metal hydride batteries upped the stakes a bit when they began to be used. Currently, lithium ion batteries are the "fuel of choice" for today's electric cars that are being designed. Future battery technologies such as lithium ion polymer and zinc-air also posses the capabilities and densities high enough to create an electric car with a range and recharge time similar to a standard car.

Here are a few links for some up and coming electric cars:
Tesla Motors (http://www.teslamotors.com/)
Lightning (http://www.lightningcarcompany.co.uk/)
Zenn (http://www.zenncars.com/)
BG (http://www.bgelectriccars.com/)
Zap (http://www.zapworld.com/)

At their inception, the technology just wasn't there to make an electric car viable. But times have changes, and the landscape of the electric car has changed. Maybe now is its time...

[SkywlkrSnd]

EV Innovations (http://hybridtechnologies.com/) will be debuting a prototype of it's new electric sports car, the Inizio, at the 2009 New York International Auto Show (http://www.autoshowny.com/). It's rumored to have a top speed of 150 mph and a 200+ mile range, placing it in a head-to-head competition with the Tesla Roadster.

See the press release here (http://uk.reuters.com/article/motoringAutoNews/idUK134228+23-Feb-2009+MW20090223).

[maxkone]

The government is lending billions of dollars out to car makers, notably Tesla, Ford, and Nissan, in an effort to promote fuel-efficient and electric vehicles. The $8 billion loan basically breaks down like this:

$465 million - Tesla Motors: Allow them to retool production factory and build battery packs in order to get Model S electric sedan on the road by end of 2011.
$5.9 billion - Ford: Retool 11 factories in 5 states to build more fuel-efficient gas engines and electric vehicles. Also expect to have an EV by 2011.
$1.6 billion - Nissan: Retool Tennessee factory to help product zero-emission vehicles.

See the complete article on CNN: Feds lend Tesla $465 million to build electric car (http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/06/23/tesla.electric.cars/index.html)

That is a lot of money to invest...and it's just PART of it!
"The loans are the first awarded under the $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program to help automakers offset the cost of retooling to build eco-friendlier cars that are at least 25 percent more fuel-efficient than 2005 models."
It might be tough to swallow in this economy, and with the Obama administration looking to spend lots of money in other areas, but I'm always in favor of investing in technology and in the future, so I think this is a real good thing. Too bad Nissan didn't say anything specific about an EV. Do they have EV plans? I hadn't heard yet.

[nbrack]

Here's an interesting video by author Brad Fregger about his thoughts regarding a plan to implement the EV into travel to take measures in solving the energy crisis. Price is the biggest concern, the govt. must back such a movement in order to produce cost efficient vehicles.

Since I don't have enough posts yet to post a URL, simply go to youtube and search bradfregger, scroll down until you find "An Energy Solution". What do you think?

[SkywlkrSnd]

Here's an interesting video by author Brad Fregger about his thoughts regarding a plan to implement the EV into travel to take measures in solving the energy crisis. Price is the biggest concern, the govt. must back such a movement in order to produce cost efficient vehicles.

Since I don't have enough posts yet to post a URL, simply go to youtube and search bradfregger, scroll down until you find "An Energy Solution". What do you think?

Excellent find, nbrack! Since you don't have enough posts yet, I'll go ahead and post the link to that YouTube video for you: An Energy Solution (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rImKRTBwXkc)

I'll also place an embed of it here in the thread...
rImKRTBwXkc

[maxkone]

I like it. Mr. Fregger gives a nice little overview of pros and cons of various types of technology. It's a great beginner video. But as they say, "the devil is in the details".

I mean, I absolutly agree with him: EVs are the way to go. But there are issues that need to be addressed. The first being battery technology and battery life...which translates to driving distance. Things are getting better all the time, but there will probably need to be a leap forward in new battery tech in order to make them hold a vastly greater charge for a much longer period of time.

And I know any outlet can serve as a "fueling station", but what happens to our energy needs in the future when 80% of Americans have EVs and everyone is plugging them in at night? Will it be a huge drain? I know nightime has the lowest load levels, but if everyone is recharging their drivable "superbatteries" every night, those loads might not be so low anymore.

I think these are issues that can readily be met and solved, but I'd like to hear them addressed.

[D.Apara]

I wanted to start the debate on this technology and to get an opinion on the success of the electric bikes currently on the road and to see if this technology can fully accepted into the community as an alternative to the current range of gas powered bikes.

Please let me know if you have an electric bike, how well it works for you and some of the challenges if any you may have had.

One of the interesting points is the fact that you cannot fill your bike up at the nearest gas station so how have you had to change your life style to accommodate the bike.

Would you recommend it to anyone as an alternative method of transportation?

[sweetR22]

Does anyone know where I can get books on electric cars and their designs? I went to Barnes & Nobel and was disappointed that I couldn't find at least 1 book!

[burgigue73]

Im wondering if anyone would be willing to share their thoughts on which is a better make of electric brake controllers: Drawtite or Tekonsha Prodigy. Im in the market for one and so far have gotten mixed reviews from mechanics I have spoken with.

[SkywlkrSnd]

Does anyone know where I can get books on electric cars and their designs? I went to Barnes & Nobel and was disappointed that I couldn't find at least 1 book!

Have you tried Amazon? Probably have a lot better luck there. The local big box stores are always tragically short in supply of good technology books....but plenty of romance novels or puppy calendars to choose from! :)

[Kermit]

Speaking of electric cars, does anyone remeber the documentary, "Who Killed The Electric Car?" Well the filmmaker behind that doc is releasing his latest project, "Revenge Of The Electric Car." Should be a really good movie and probably a whole lot more uplifting than the last seeing as now there are some positive news to report.

You can find the trailer on youtube. Just search ""Revenge Of The Electric Car."