Treehugger - Latest Comments in Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Tokyofriend — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 05:40:59 -0000

Now these are green cars!!

As much as I like to go to dress up parties, I like "normal" things be dressed up. This week I had the pleasure to park next to this car. I don't think they come any greener.

http://thewritefuture.typep...

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

wanzewurld — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 07:21:22 -0000

Excuse me - It's Neil and not Nell; one of the down sides of typing without corrective lens! My bad.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

wanzewurld — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 07:18:22 -0000

I see this is an old post and, of course, the idea sounds good on the surface until reality is considered. Regenerative braking does exactly what you propose, Nell. Keep the ideas coming and you may yet trigger a reasonable idea yourself or cause one to be generated by some other reader; "It's better to light a single candle than curse the darkness."

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Steve — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:02:45 -0000

Unfortunately, the range of compressed air powered vehicles is very limited. And while air is all around us, and the resource is nearly unlimited; putting energy into the system (compressing the air) takes significant amounts of energy, and then transforming that stored energy into motive energy through the compressed air engine is terrible inefficient.

The reason that electric vehicles are so attractive from an energy efficiency standpoint is that it allows for the centralization of emissions (the power plant). It is easiest and most cost effective to manage emissions at the source. Essentially a traditional internal combustion vehicle is a decentralized power plant that has about a 27% energy capture efficiency.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Jakeonhisplanet — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 00:35:09 -0000

Or you could just swap your discharged battery pack for an identical, recharged one, paying for the charge.

With an industry standard for removable cells, the process could be fully automated, especially if the cells are in the floor as they are in many EV designs.

Clunk click, now you're one up on the guys who have to pump their own gas and you saved 5 minutes on your journey. Yay!

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

araba oyunları — Sat, 08 May 2010 18:24:00 -0000

In europe especially in Italy the taxi's are changed to hybrid cars already. Those are one of the most consuming car group. I wish to see that the govenrments force all taxi drivers to change their cars. They can be funded as well with some additional supports.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Auto Parts — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:00:38 -0000

What's important to remember is that there is still some emissions as you have to charge the batteries, but clean coal and newer technologies should greatly minimize the footprint. Regardless of the charging method it will reduce the footprint significantly in the long haul. It will only take one decently priced model to really transform the market.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

jrj073000 — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:31:17 -0000

I've heard Audi (http://adwido.com/view_cont... has now developed an electric car too.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Anonymous — Sun, 03 May 2009 08:36:24 -0000

this is a food for thought response to jan 29th, 2009 11:13 am about still liking your v8. You're right, the power and sound of a v8 is hard to let go of. Though, electric vehicles make pretty great amounts of torque, which v8's make alot of with the horsepower. The battery technology is developing much more quickly, especially with performance. Lithium-ion seems to be the direction of battery power. although . . . if you still like the sound of a combustion engine, and want to be green, there is something you might be interested in. compressed air engine. instead of using air/ fuel ratios to push the piston down, a precise ratio of compressed air is delivered to push the piston down. i had explained a little more detail in a previous posting in this same day if you would like to scroll through to learn more about it. What is really cool is it costs almost no emissions to produce, and ZERO pollution to use, and still retains and engine sound. So far it is only in itallythe origin orf the inventor/engineer, and of course a small 3 banger. But maybe he can capitalize and convince someone, or someone convince him, to make a v8 air compression motor. I think that would be the ultimate solution.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

travis — Sun, 03 May 2009 08:14:31 -0000

There is an italian car engineer and designer, from my knowlage on national geografic channel, that designed an engine that has most of the same internal components mechanically. But instead of gas or diesel or electric, witch all at some point create pollution in either production and/or use, it uses compressed air. Works exactly the same as diesel, except using ratios of compressed air to push the piston down, instead of gas or diesel air/fuel ratios. What is cool about this is it creates no emissions to produce, nor use!!!! For the car enthusiasts, it sounds like a regular petrol/gas engine, less parts and gadgets for car assembly, lightweight designs, and more space used for cabin/luggage use. They store the compressed air in similar tanks used to blow up balloons! Ha, kinda funny actually. They had even took a step further by implicating safety into carrying around that compressed air. the tanks are made of carbon fiber. So if the unspeakable happens, your car will not become a bomb! Carbon fiber, under intense pressure or collision, will crack and release the air. Each vehicle is hand built, with materials such as fiberglass ect. One the smartest and more simple ways of greener transportation.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Alexandra — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 21:41:23 -0000

Remember that each new product has some associated emissions in production. Even if you can't or don't want to buy a new car, there are ways of driving and using your current car in a more "green" fashion. You can slow down a bit, make sure the tires are full of air, carpool, or get out and walk instead of driving through. This is really interesting and fun! www.carbonrally.com

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Neil — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:43:27 -0000

June 22, 2008 comment:

"Since seeing Trevor Baylis' wind up radio, I always wondered if his concept could be adapted to an electric vehicle in such a way that while the vehicle was in motion, one of the wheels could be used to wind-up a generator big enough to charge a small second set of batteries ready to be used when the first set were discharged then first set recharged while second set ran the car. Thus increasing vehicle range almost double."

Keep in mind that it takes power to turn a generator. The electric motor powering the car's motion would need more electricity to power the generator. Basically it seems like you are proposing a perpetual motion machine. Remember that in every conversion of energy there is a loss of usable energy.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Neil — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:34:42 -0000

July 29, 2008 Andre Canelhas said:

"We can reduce the amount of plug-in electricity to an appreciable degree by harnessing the wind energy around a moving vehicle to produce electricity. With the technology we have developed, once an electrical vehicle starts rolling it can produce a major portion of the electric needs from wind power. It can greatly extend the range of the standard battery-based vehicles. We can produce electric cars that place less demand on the envirnonment and move it from concept to commercial reality."

The car is going to use more energy to power the generator you propose. It will cause more resistance.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Anonymous — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:14:11 -0000

June 22, 2008 comment:

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Roger — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:51:56 -0000

I like the comment about the car replacing the horse, as this polution was the reason for cities replacing the 12 gallons per day of pee from each of the horses, not to mention the solids. All flowing into the bay, all day every day.

You will never get something for nothing, if we all were issued a Tesla tomorrow we would be clamoring for a new Nuke power plant here in Western Caifornia to power up all the cars while we are at work.

Is $100K for a car one cannot drive tomorrow to Phoenix from San Francisco a real option or a "Look at me im saving the planet toy"?

Retrofitting what we have is the cleanest solution, but it puts the burdon on ourselves, most of us are not up for that challange.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Will — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:34:43 -0000

Comment to Brian regarding pumping water to fuel cars...

It takes 40,000 gallons of water to produce an internal combustion engined car.

So, it is already being pumped, at present.

It is much less costly to produce an electric vehicle in the quantities that an internal combustion car is produced.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

kris burke — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:13:26 -0000

I like the thought of electric cars. But they just do not have the same power as my V8.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Gun Smoke — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:11:53 -0000

When they are around $6-$8,000, 2 seater that will hold a 350lb man, not have to worry about $5000 to replace the batteries in 5yrs or the thing exploding, shorting out and frying me or repair costs that are astronomical, I might consider it. Drive 20mi ea day. Friend told me of a high voltage electric capacitor they are developing that can replace the battery thing altogether. Mount 1 in home to charge it in 5 min. or regular 230vlt in 5hrs.

It would prevent pwr spikes (think CA) and help regulate the home pwr. Pwr stations could be cheaply added to gas locations. They're working on the longivity of the plates that make it last longer, so keep your fingers crossed.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Nina — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 02:40:41 -0000

I have had an electric scooter for six months now and use it most days. I have not seen a perceptible increase in the monthly electricity bill in that duration, so to me, it is like operating the vehicle practically free of cost. Also since the motor has practically no moving parts, I have had no maintenance costs in this duration that i have owned the EV. So if someone asked me, I would wholly recommend the whole EV experience unreservedly.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Jeroen — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:22:22 -0000

A nice overview of electric cars

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Truck — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 04:03:12 -0000

It's very beautiful and wonderful. I must to get one, but the price of course very expensive

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

söve — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 16:21:28 -0000

thanks.

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Plug-In Hybrids — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 11:56:53 -0000

Man, I just love the idea of electric cars.

My vision is the care that can go 250-300 mile on one charge - this is possible with super-capacitors, which unlike regular batteries, charge in less than 5 minutes, so you can actually set up a network of charging stations. This electric car should also have a solar roof and hood, so it charges while it is parked and you are at work.

Third, it should be a Hybrid. Yes, I know... the emissions and CO2 and NOX... but the car should be practical, and should not limit you to certain areas of California as was the case with the original electric car.

Hopefully the Prius Plug-in Generation two will come with super capacitors unlike the current one that can only go 15 miles n battery... Still, i'll get one as soon as they become commercially available and reasonable.... you can always install more batteries in it :)

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

Andre Canelhas — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:01:55 -0000

Dear all,

About electricity:

1. It is difficult and costly to store;

2. Renewable energy is most likely to be most efficiently converted into electric energy;

3. There is an infra-structure already built up to send electricity where we need it.;

4. It is efficiently produced in large scale;

Energy in all forms will get more expensive in the coming 10 - 20 years.

Today we waste an enormous amount of energy, because we burn a very valuable asset in an individual car.

Are we mature enough to start using transport systems based on electric traction for moving a large number of people?

Re: Electric Cars and Vehicles: Who Killed 'Em, New Batteries and More

dan — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:16:39 -0000

One thing that isn't mentioned in articles like this is a comparative cost to operate. With my electric bill last month reaching $400.00, a 25% increase over this time last year...is electric really a cost effective way to go? I mean sure electric cars are a treehuggers dream....but for the rest of us, we are wanting to know things like... the amount of kwh's used in charging an electric car the size of a Toyota camry...that will get 200 miles per charge.

Simply taking the profits from the oil companies and giving it to the electric companies...accomplishes what?... as it applies to a family's budget?