If Gm survives to produce the Volt, It will recharge the battery and extend the range of the electric car. The efficiency of the gas engine can be improved if it runs a set governed speed and is optimized for the RPM it runs at. And as they learn more, this too will improve. Interestingly, Ford Navistar, and UPS have been working on a system for several years that stores hydraulic pressure from braking and uses it to get the truck moving from a stoplight. At some point all this will come together, but not if we shun new technologies. They used to shout "get a horse" to car drivers.
Electric car.
- Thread starter packin-heat
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USAF385
US Veteran
Back in the 90s when Cali had to have a certain number of electric cars, they used a battery that would get 100 miles per charge. BACK THEN they had the means to make a battery that went 300 miles. The auto industry didn't want to use it because they didn't want the cars to be too good. So much money is made by all the parts needed and breakdown of combustion engines.
smith revolver cop
Member
The cheapest one is $50K. Delivery won't even start until 2012. Current Prius prices (MSRP) range from $22K to $27K. Until I can test drive one, and see (for example) a "Consumer's Guide" report substantiating or debunking their claims, don't count me among the ones sending in my $5,000 "reservation."
Walter Rego
Member
I work for a company that is seriously involved in a technology known as ultracapacitors. We sell them to companies that make those wind turbine power generators and also for use in large commercial vehicles like city buses. Our new CEO comes out of the automotive industry and that's where our focus has been the last couple of years. BMW, Audi and Mercedes Benz will have hybrids out for 2011 and they will not only get relatively good mileage, but they will also be high performance (and not ugly like most of the hybrids out now). The boss tells me that the immediate future will be a combination of internal combustion, improved batteries, likely lithium ion, and our ultracapacitor technology. The chances for an all electric car that's reasonably priced and practical ever gaining any market share are very slim unless some unforeseen new technology breakthrough happens.
charlie sherrill
Member
Could a diesel/electric similar to what runs our nations railroad locomotives be downsized enough to efficiently run cars and light trucks?
Spotteddog
Member
Shhh Charlie!
Ya' damned Ol' dinosaur?
Ya' damned Ol' dinosaur?
rundownfid
Member
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why couldn't the high paid big shots in Detroit figure this out.
Because they have to actually sell cars for a living. It is relatively easy when one has a lot of money to have a car built that is cool (hell they started with lotus). however, as everyone who has seriously looked at the Teslor has found out they are not sell able on a large scale. Run them hard and they get (as mentioned above) about 40 miles on a charge and then take all day to recharge. Even if you run them to maximize distance 240 is way optimistic in any real world. Would you spend a lot of money on a car that you couldn't drive on vacation or to visit your family in the next state? Perhaps if you are a Hollywood Celebrity you'd buy one to show how concerned you are about the environment, but for people who need to have a vehicle that actually meets all of their driving needs the Teslor isn't it.
It appears to me, and I admittedly am no expert, that hybrids that generate their own electricity have a viability when gas reaches approximately $4 gal. Below that it is impossible to amortize the extra cost and questionable maintenance. If the Gov't subsidizes the purchase with tax credits that makes them more viable; but only to the extent that one American gets a "bargain" that all Americans get to help pay for, ugh.
Because they have to actually sell cars for a living. It is relatively easy when one has a lot of money to have a car built that is cool (hell they started with lotus). however, as everyone who has seriously looked at the Teslor has found out they are not sell able on a large scale. Run them hard and they get (as mentioned above) about 40 miles on a charge and then take all day to recharge. Even if you run them to maximize distance 240 is way optimistic in any real world. Would you spend a lot of money on a car that you couldn't drive on vacation or to visit your family in the next state? Perhaps if you are a Hollywood Celebrity you'd buy one to show how concerned you are about the environment, but for people who need to have a vehicle that actually meets all of their driving needs the Teslor isn't it.
It appears to me, and I admittedly am no expert, that hybrids that generate their own electricity have a viability when gas reaches approximately $4 gal. Below that it is impossible to amortize the extra cost and questionable maintenance. If the Gov't subsidizes the purchase with tax credits that makes them more viable; but only to the extent that one American gets a "bargain" that all Americans get to help pay for, ugh.
Andy Griffith
Member
The University of Georgia (
) is working on developing high-yield peanuts that are drought resistant to make peanut oil as a diesel substitute. The peanut varieties typically grown by farmers are those that are more tasty and look good. The really "oily" ones that are the most drought resistant don't taste too good.
Believe me, I always thought all peanuts tasted good...until I tried some awful ones!
A decent acre of peanuts will give you about 90-130 gallons of peanut oil.
So...I think about 40 acres of peanuts would be sufficient for me and the Mrs. for the year.
Good excuse for me to buy some cheap south Georgia land with farmhouse and outbuildings, a new tractor and equipment, and thermal imaging to kill hogs too!
I almost forgot...I need to buy a diesel vehicle that can use "biodiesel."
Believe me, I always thought all peanuts tasted good...until I tried some awful ones!
A decent acre of peanuts will give you about 90-130 gallons of peanut oil.
So...I think about 40 acres of peanuts would be sufficient for me and the Mrs. for the year.
Good excuse for me to buy some cheap south Georgia land with farmhouse and outbuildings, a new tractor and equipment, and thermal imaging to kill hogs too!
I almost forgot...I need to buy a diesel vehicle that can use "biodiesel."
Electric prices going up soon. Our wonderful Governor is seeing to that. [Oregon] We are on the Bonneville Power Grid. It's mostly Hydro but the Greenies are tearing out the hydro dams to protect some fish. Power prices are bound to increase. Gas is $2.49 a gallon when I filled today. Diesel is $2.59. Don't know where this going but the Govt. doesn't either.
Folterung
Member
If all cars became electric, a new problem arises...what to do with all the worn out batteries? Those things are highly toxic, and I can't imagine the recycling headache if millions of these electric cars are on the road.
smith revolver cop
Member
It looks like they're never going to start shipping nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain... maybe convert it to dead battery storage?
oldRoger
US Veteran
Yucca Mountain, closed by order of the new POTUS, We must get Harry reid reelected.
Folterung
Member
There will probably be a recycling fee along with replacing dead batteries, just like when I have my tires replaced...
Anyway, car crashes will take on a new dimension as those HUGE batteries will be leaking and spraying all over the place.
Anyway, car crashes will take on a new dimension as those HUGE batteries will be leaking and spraying all over the place.
Andy Griffith
Member
Well either people will drive much more carefully to keep out of an accident because of the consequences...
Or drive more recklessly so the impact will kill them rather than the alternative of being dissolved or chemically burned to death in the aftermath of the crash.
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