Editor’s Note: This is a guest contribution by Richard Lowenthal, CEO of electric vehicle ChargePoint manufacturer Coulomb Technologies (ChargePoints pictured above in front of SF City Hall). This post is a followup to last week’s (and ongoing) discussion on EV Charging Infrastructure by Mayors Gavin Newsom and Sam Adams. UPDATE: Listen to Shai Agassi of competitor Better Place on Mayor Newsom’s radio show.
With all of the recent talk about who will become the EV capitol of the US, we would like to point out the obvious: without the necessary charging infrastructure, the cars won’t run.
But what about these charging stations? Won’t any old plug do? The answer is a resounding no. When the EV business becomes big—whether you are in San Francisco or Portland—you are going to need smart features that you can only get with networked charging stations. Those features include:
1. A billing system. This allows stations to be placed curbside, in apartment lots, in condominium lots, in workplace lots and in other places where you park your car for hours. Consider this: When your local ballpark determines it needs 200 spaces capable of charging Tesla Roadsters at full rate, they’re going to need 4 Megawatts of electricity. That will cost the ballpark $400 an hour. They’re not going to give it away.
2. Smart Grid integration. Our electric grid needs to move forward. Forward means the integration of networking into the grid. That allows the utility to charge vehicles when it has an abundance of energy, and especially clean energy. It also allows you to know how much energy you’re using for your car and when, and how much it costs you.
3. High availability. This means that the network, and therefore the utility, station owners, and drivers can find stations that are working and available before they drive there for a charge. And when a station is broken it will be fixed by the network, or service will be dispatched as soon as the problem occurs.
4. User friendly features. These include the ability to find any station worldwide and find out if which ones are available for a charge. Also, notification when your car is fully charged, when it’s overdue for a charge, and when someone unplugs your car and stops it from charging. You will also appreciate reporting features, like knowing how much greenhouse gas you’re saving.
5. Time-of-use rate charging. This allows you to charge your car automatically when it is most economical.
The bottom line for the successful deployment of EV will require smart charging stations, and in order to provide a financial base and a robust feature set, those stations must be based on a networked infrastructure.
Coulomb Technologies was founded in 2007 with the express mission to ensure that anyone who is considering the choice to buy an electric vehicle will have adequate access to fuel for the cars. Visit www.coulombtech.com to learn more about Coulomb’s infrastructure plans and where you can find a local charging station. Keep up with the latest news: Coulomb Technologies on Twitter.
PDF 
Just make the darn batteries removable and market the charged batteries at convinence stores.
No need to design a plug, just standardize the battery hook ups.
Just make the darn batteries removable and market the charged batteries at convinence stores.
No need to design a plug, just standardize the battery hook ups.
Just make the darn batteries removable and market the charged batteries at convinence stores.
No need to design a plug, just standardize the battery hook ups.
See also:
Car Companies Standardize Plug for Electric Vehicles
http://gas2.org/2009/04/19/car-companies-agree-on-plug-standard-for-electric-vehicles/
See also:
Car Companies Standardize Plug for Electric Vehicles
http://gas2.org/2009/04/19/car-companies-agree-on-plug-standard-for-electric-vehicles/
See also:
Car Companies Standardize Plug for Electric Vehicles
http://gas2.org/2009/04/19/car-companies-agree-on-plug-standard-for-electric-vehicles/
Removable batteries will never work. If I just dropped $5K on a new battery pack, there’s no way in hell I’m going to “exchange” it for someone else’s worn-out pack. There’s also no way to know how much capacity someone else’s “used” pack will have, so a full charge on a bad pack may only yield half the miles of a good pack.
What if I drive 200 miles somewhere on a good pack, then exchange and get a bad pack and I’m left stranded 100 miles from another pack?
While exchangeable packs sound good in theory, they’ll never work in practice. They’re too big, too heavy, and will never be standard across vehicles. We’re not changing a small cell-phone battery here folks, we’re talking about 500-1000 pound batteries!
Removable batteries will never work. If I just dropped $5K on a new battery pack, there’s no way in hell I’m going to “exchange” it for someone else’s worn-out pack. There’s also no way to know how much capacity someone else’s “used” pack will have, so a full charge on a bad pack may only yield half the miles of a good pack.
What if I drive 200 miles somewhere on a good pack, then exchange and get a bad pack and I’m left stranded 100 miles from another pack?
While exchangeable packs sound good in theory, they’ll never work in practice. They’re too big, too heavy, and will never be standard across vehicles. We’re not changing a small cell-phone battery here folks, we’re talking about 500-1000 pound batteries!
This is really easy, humans can fix these things. Just invest a trillion and the pollution and health problem of transportation will be solved, worldwide.
This is really easy, humans can fix these things. Just invest a trillion and the pollution and health problem of transportation will be solved, worldwide.
This is really easy, humans can fix these things. Just invest a trillion and the pollution and health problem of transportation will be solved, worldwide.
NONE of this is NEEDED to get things going. None of it.
A proper EV has enough range for the average users ENTIRE DAY’S worth of driving and then just plug in at home.
JUST GET the damned cards on the road (the E95 NIMH powered cars IE ones we can afford) Just get them on the road. the INFRASTRUCTURE will take care of itself once they hit critical mass.
I can forsee employers installing outlets for there employee’s gratis. My employer has already stated without hesitation if anyone manages to get a plug in withing 30 days he will have 220v outlets for charging. His cost will be less than $200 for the installation of the outlets and literally a few DOLLARS a month on the electric bill.
He would save more money changing ONE 75watt incan to a 13watt CFL in one month than the cost of ALL our employee’s having electric cars and plugging in faily at work. Its diddly dollars wise.
My yearly “fuel” bill for my car will go from $3500 a year to $300 a year.
NONE of this is NEEDED to get things going. None of it.
A proper EV has enough range for the average users ENTIRE DAY’S worth of driving and then just plug in at home.
JUST GET the damned cards on the road (the E95 NIMH powered cars IE ones we can afford) Just get them on the road. the INFRASTRUCTURE will take care of itself once they hit critical mass.
I can forsee employers installing outlets for there employee’s gratis. My employer has already stated without hesitation if anyone manages to get a plug in withing 30 days he will have 220v outlets for charging. His cost will be less than $200 for the installation of the outlets and literally a few DOLLARS a month on the electric bill.
He would save more money changing ONE 75watt incan to a 13watt CFL in one month than the cost of ALL our employee’s having electric cars and plugging in faily at work. Its diddly dollars wise.
My yearly “fuel” bill for my car will go from $3500 a year to $300 a year.
rent batteries for a monthly fee, and have stations that switch out batteries when you’re running low and also be able to charge at home. Most people wouldn’t need to go to battery stations unless they were going on a long trip.
rent batteries for a monthly fee, and have stations that switch out batteries when you’re running low and also be able to charge at home. Most people wouldn’t need to go to battery stations unless they were going on a long trip.
rent batteries for a monthly fee, and have stations that switch out batteries when you’re running low and also be able to charge at home. Most people wouldn’t need to go to battery stations unless they were going on a long trip.
NONE of this is NEEDED to get things going. None of it.
A proper EV has enough range for the average users ENTIRE DAY’S worth of driving and then just plug in at home.
JUST GET the damned cards on the road (the E95 NIMH powered cars IE ones we can afford) Just get them on the road. the INFRASTRUCTURE will take care of itself once they hit critical mass.
I can forsee employers installing outlets for there employee’s gratis. My employer has already stated without hesitation if anyone manages to get a plug in withing 30 days he will have 220v outlets for charging. His cost will be less than $200 for the installation of the outlets and literally a few DOLLARS a month on the electric bill.
He would save more money changing ONE 75watt incan to a 13watt CFL in one month than the cost of ALL our employee’s having electric cars and plugging in faily at work. Its diddly dollars wise.
My yearly “fuel” bill for my car will go from $3500 a year to $300 a year.
rent batteries for a monthly fee, and have stations that switch out batteries when you’re running low and also be able to charge at home. Most people wouldn’t need to go to battery stations unless they were going on a long trip.
Don’t electric cars actually hurt the environment? Considering electricity in the US is produced mostly out of coal, and 50% of the electricity is lost in transport. Also, lugging around that massive battery will make the car less energy efficient. Hybrids seem like the greenest option for the foreseeable future.
Don’t electric cars actually hurt the environment? Considering electricity in the US is produced mostly out of coal, and 50% of the electricity is lost in transport. Also, lugging around that massive battery will make the car less energy efficient. Hybrids seem like the greenest option for the foreseeable future.
Don’t electric cars actually hurt the environment? Considering electricity in the US is produced mostly out of coal, and 50% of the electricity is lost in transport. Also, lugging around that massive battery will make the car less energy efficient. Hybrids seem like the greenest option for the foreseeable future.
Don’t electric cars actually hurt the environment? Considering electricity in the US is produced mostly out of coal, and 50% of the electricity is lost in transport. Also, lugging around that massive battery will make the car less energy efficient. Hybrids seem like the greenest option for the foreseeable future.
Air Car, coming end of year. I know it’s ugly but give it some time.
http://www.ipboast.com/pg/kaltura_video/show/679/
Air Car, coming end of year. I know it’s ugly but give it some time.
http://www.ipboast.com/pg/kaltura_video/show/679/
Air Car, coming end of year. I know it’s ugly but give it some time.
http://www.ipboast.com/pg/kaltura_video/show/679/
Air Car, coming end of year. I know it’s ugly but give it some time.
http://www.ipboast.com/pg/kaltura_video/show/679/
Compressed air does not have all the problems of electric and hydrogen systems, which is the reason some countries are already fitting refueling stations with compressed air systems.
What has not been addressed, and will be funny to watch, is when there is a power blackout, and having dozens of cars with no power stranded at each refueling station until power is restored.
Compressed air does not have all the problems of electric and hydrogen systems, which is the reason some countries are already fitting refueling stations with compressed air systems.
What has not been addressed, and will be funny to watch, is when there is a power blackout, and having dozens of cars with no power stranded at each refueling station until power is restored.
Compressed air does not have all the problems of electric and hydrogen systems, which is the reason some countries are already fitting refueling stations with compressed air systems.
What has not been addressed, and will be funny to watch, is when there is a power blackout, and having dozens of cars with no power stranded at each refueling station until power is restored.
You do not lose 50% of your electricity is power transmission, try more like 2% loss. Just buy an electric car for your commute and charge the thing at home. If you want to go out of town rent a hybrid.
What an electrician thinks:
The whole approach is wrong, costly and inefficient.
Sorry Chris but your not going to get 220V outlets in your garage for under $200, might be close if your panel is already in in the garage and has an open breaker space, but for all the people with packed older fuse panels in finished rec-rooms it is going to be a LOT more, God Forbid they are on an old 60 Amp service.
Thats just the homeowner, the real problem is when you and all your neighbors come home at night and plug in. Go out and enjoy the fireworks on the pole down the street because transformers were never sized for that. These systems were designed with the idea that you and all your neighbors don’t run your dyers and stoves at the same time, which is essentially what your doing now.
Now you have 2 choices, upgrade the transformers (All that heat they make is a loss BTW including the one in the chagrger) and trunk lines (priced copper lately?) and while your at it, the transformers that feed all those pole transformers, they aren’t big enough either – and they cost a LOT to upgrade. The other option is possibly crate some kind of demand meter system (Better add a 0 to that $200 plug, oh and car may not get charged when you want it).
Yes we could do this but it is going to be disgustingly expensive. IMHO gotrootdude has the right idea, the car owner is not the battery owner. you should be able to pull into a battery station much like buying gas. Perhaps something like when you get an oil change, you drive over a bay and a young man with a lift drops out your old battery and raises in a new one, you swipe your debit card and 2 minutes later your gone.
This is all about economies of scale, servicing one battery system as a car owner is a lot more costly than a full time employee servicing 1000′s at a depot. Battery stocks can be charged at hours of the convenience to the hydro authority, not just when the average person has their car in the garage. Small scale co-generation technology is excellent and a lot of these charging stations could be run on Natural Gas without burden to the grid.
What an electrician thinks:
The whole approach is wrong, costly and inefficient.
Sorry Chris but your not going to get 220V outlets in your garage for under $200, might be close if your panel is already in in the garage and has an open breaker space, but for all the people with packed older fuse panels in finished rec-rooms it is going to be a LOT more, God Forbid they are on an old 60 Amp service.
Thats just the homeowner, the real problem is when you and all your neighbors come home at night and plug in. Go out and enjoy the fireworks on the pole down the street because transformers were never sized for that. These systems were designed with the idea that you and all your neighbors don’t run your dyers and stoves at the same time, which is essentially what your doing now.
Now you have 2 choices, upgrade the transformers (All that heat they make is a loss BTW including the one in the chagrger) and trunk lines (priced copper lately?) and while your at it, the transformers that feed all those pole transformers, they aren’t big enough either – and they cost a LOT to upgrade. The other option is possibly crate some kind of demand meter system (Better add a 0 to that $200 plug, oh and car may not get charged when you want it).
Yes we could do this but it is going to be disgustingly expensive. IMHO gotrootdude has the right idea, the car owner is not the battery owner. you should be able to pull into a battery station much like buying gas. Perhaps something like when you get an oil change, you drive over a bay and a young man with a lift drops out your old battery and raises in a new one, you swipe your debit card and 2 minutes later your gone.
This is all about economies of scale, servicing one battery system as a car owner is a lot more costly than a full time employee servicing 1000′s at a depot. Battery stocks can be charged at hours of the convenience to the hydro authority, not just when the average person has their car in the garage. Small scale co-generation technology is excellent and a lot of these charging stations could be run on Natural Gas without burden to the grid.
What an electrician thinks:
The whole approach is wrong, costly and inefficient.
Sorry Chris but your not going to get 220V outlets in your garage for under $200, might be close if your panel is already in in the garage and has an open breaker space, but for all the people with packed older fuse panels in finished rec-rooms it is going to be a LOT more, God Forbid they are on an old 60 Amp service.
Thats just the homeowner, the real problem is when you and all your neighbors come home at night and plug in. Go out and enjoy the fireworks on the pole down the street because transformers were never sized for that. These systems were designed with the idea that you and all your neighbors don’t run your dyers and stoves at the same time, which is essentially what your doing now.
Now you have 2 choices, upgrade the transformers (All that heat they make is a loss BTW including the one in the chagrger) and trunk lines (priced copper lately?) and while your at it, the transformers that feed all those pole transformers, they aren’t big enough either – and they cost a LOT to upgrade. The other option is possibly crate some kind of demand meter system (Better add a 0 to that $200 plug, oh and car may not get charged when you want it).
Yes we could do this but it is going to be disgustingly expensive. IMHO gotrootdude has the right idea, the car owner is not the battery owner. you should be able to pull into a battery station much like buying gas. Perhaps something like when you get an oil change, you drive over a bay and a young man with a lift drops out your old battery and raises in a new one, you swipe your debit card and 2 minutes later your gone.
This is all about economies of scale, servicing one battery system as a car owner is a lot more costly than a full time employee servicing 1000′s at a depot. Battery stocks can be charged at hours of the convenience to the hydro authority, not just when the average person has their car in the garage. Small scale co-generation technology is excellent and a lot of these charging stations could be run on Natural Gas without burden to the grid.
What an electrician thinks:
The whole approach is wrong, costly and inefficient.
Sorry Chris but your not going to get 220V outlets in your garage for under $200, might be close if your panel is already in in the garage and has an open breaker space, but for all the people with packed older fuse panels in finished rec-rooms it is going to be a LOT more, God Forbid they are on an old 60 Amp service.
Thats just the homeowner, the real problem is when you and all your neighbors come home at night and plug in. Go out and enjoy the fireworks on the pole down the street because transformers were never sized for that. These systems were designed with the idea that you and all your neighbors don’t run your dyers and stoves at the same time, which is essentially what your doing now.
Now you have 2 choices, upgrade the transformers (All that heat they make is a loss BTW including the one in the chagrger) and trunk lines (priced copper lately?) and while your at it, the transformers that feed all those pole transformers, they aren’t big enough either – and they cost a LOT to upgrade. The other option is possibly crate some kind of demand meter system (Better add a 0 to that $200 plug, oh and car may not get charged when you want it).
Yes we could do this but it is going to be disgustingly expensive. IMHO gotrootdude has the right idea, the car owner is not the battery owner. you should be able to pull into a battery station much like buying gas. Perhaps something like when you get an oil change, you drive over a bay and a young man with a lift drops out your old battery and raises in a new one, you swipe your debit card and 2 minutes later your gone.
This is all about economies of scale, servicing one battery system as a car owner is a lot more costly than a full time employee servicing 1000′s at a depot. Battery stocks can be charged at hours of the convenience to the hydro authority, not just when the average person has their car in the garage. Small scale co-generation technology is excellent and a lot of these charging stations could be run on Natural Gas without burden to the grid.
In April 2009 the car industry in Europe (including US and JP car companies) agreed on a plug interface for vehicle charging, designed by the company Mennekes. The system is prepared for home charging as well as billed charging at public charging station.
Intro and brief specs in English:
http://www.ecs-five.ch/parkcharge/documents/MENNEK …
Photos of plug:
http://ing.dk/gallerier/109314
It would fit the requirements outlined in the article.
In April 2009 the car industry in Europe (including US and JP car companies) agreed on a plug interface for vehicle charging, designed by the company Mennekes. The system is prepared for home charging as well as billed charging at public charging station.
Intro and brief specs in English:
http://www.ecs-five.ch/parkcharge/documents/MENNEK …
Photos of plug:
http://ing.dk/gallerier/109314
It would fit the requirements outlined in the article.
Ive seen charging stations powered by solar, at no cost to vehicle owners. Free charge and weather protection as the panels are mounted over the charging station. This isnt hard people.
Ive seen charging stations powered by solar, at no cost to vehicle owners. Free charge and weather protection as the panels are mounted over the charging station. This isnt hard people.
Ive seen charging stations powered by solar, at no cost to vehicle owners. Free charge and weather protection as the panels are mounted over the charging station. This isnt hard people.
Ive seen charging stations powered by solar, at no cost to vehicle owners. Free charge and weather protection as the panels are mounted over the charging station. This isnt hard people.
Exchanging batteries could work just fine. Make a ‘smart’ battery that records how many times it has been charged, discharged, etc and you could evaluate how good the battery is. Need to make a long trip ? spent a little more for a barely used battery. Don’t need to go far, but just to work and back ? Spent less on an older battery. Batteries could indicate how much life is left in them. Come on people, don’t can the idea of exchangeable batteries because you can’t figure something that simple out. As batteries become better this will work much better as well.
Exchanging batteries could work just fine. Make a ‘smart’ battery that records how many times it has been charged, discharged, etc and you could evaluate how good the battery is. Need to make a long trip ? spent a little more for a barely used battery. Don’t need to go far, but just to work and back ? Spent less on an older battery. Batteries could indicate how much life is left in them. Come on people, don’t can the idea of exchangeable batteries because you can’t figure something that simple out. As batteries become better this will work much better as well.
Exchanging batteries could work just fine. Make a ‘smart’ battery that records how many times it has been charged, discharged, etc and you could evaluate how good the battery is. Need to make a long trip ? spent a little more for a barely used battery. Don’t need to go far, but just to work and back ? Spent less on an older battery. Batteries could indicate how much life is left in them. Come on people, don’t can the idea of exchangeable batteries because you can’t figure something that simple out. As batteries become better this will work much better as well.
Exchanging batteries could work just fine. Make a ‘smart’ battery that records how many times it has been charged, discharged, etc and you could evaluate how good the battery is. Need to make a long trip ? spent a little more for a barely used battery. Don’t need to go far, but just to work and back ? Spent less on an older battery. Batteries could indicate how much life is left in them. Come on people, don’t can the idea of exchangeable batteries because you can’t figure something that simple out. As batteries become better this will work much better as well.
In the beginning, these will probably be owned by people with a garage. I can’t imagine owning an electric car that I couldn’t plug in at home.
In the beginning, these will probably be owned by people with a garage. I can’t imagine owning an electric car that I couldn’t plug in at home.
In the beginning, these will probably be owned by people with a garage. I can’t imagine owning an electric car that I couldn’t plug in at home.
“the INFRASTRUCTURE will take care of itself once they hit critical mass.”
This kind of “catch up” thinking has proven to be nothing but disastrous for any project. What’s wrong with investing in solid infrastructure to get cheaper EV’s into the hands of consumers? Not only will this cause a skyrocket in EV sales but it will start a domino effect if the business model proves viable and really cause this market to grow rapidly.
“the INFRASTRUCTURE will take care of itself once they hit critical mass.”
This kind of “catch up” thinking has proven to be nothing but disastrous for any project. What’s wrong with investing in solid infrastructure to get cheaper EV’s into the hands of consumers? Not only will this cause a skyrocket in EV sales but it will start a domino effect if the business model proves viable and really cause this market to grow rapidly.
“the INFRASTRUCTURE will take care of itself once they hit critical mass.”
This kind of “catch up” thinking has proven to be nothing but disastrous for any project. What’s wrong with investing in solid infrastructure to get cheaper EV’s into the hands of consumers? Not only will this cause a skyrocket in EV sales but it will start a domino effect if the business model proves viable and really cause this market to grow rapidly.
“the INFRASTRUCTURE will take care of itself once they hit critical mass.”
This kind of “catch up” thinking has proven to be nothing but disastrous for any project. What’s wrong with investing in solid infrastructure to get cheaper EV’s into the hands of consumers? Not only will this cause a skyrocket in EV sales but it will start a domino effect if the business model proves viable and really cause this market to grow rapidly.
Just a thought, but seeing as the majority of people use their cars to drive to and from work, which invariably isn’t more than 100miles, it stands to reason that they’d simply charge their cars at home.
Just a thought, but seeing as the majority of people use their cars to drive to and from work, which invariably isn’t more than 100miles, it stands to reason that they’d simply charge their cars at home.
Just a thought, but seeing as the majority of people use their cars to drive to and from work, which invariably isn’t more than 100miles, it stands to reason that they’d simply charge their cars at home.
The other thing everybody is forgetting: A plug does not work in isolation, there needs to be a generation, and distribution infrastructure to support it!
The power grid is ALREADY STRAINED on the hottest days and the coldest nights. That would mean that in much of the US, the hottest days, which are also the highest ozone days would be the days when the grid really can accommodate the fewest electric cars being charged at any given time.
The coldest nights would require the most aggressive charging of batteries, because their output drops off at those temperatures. Again adding to the problem!!
In conclusion, unless we do a MASSIVE upgrade of the electrical grid, it’s not going to happen. In doing such a massive upgrade, we will run into problems like the fact that more than half of the journeyman electricians who are fully qualified to build such an upgrade are already over 40, and most public school systems and community colleges have shut down their vocational training programs for electricians!
Also, one thing worth noting: Unlike communications, which can be done over fiber, or water, which can be done over various plastics, there IS NO technologically feasible alternative to copper for constructing electrical lines! The laws of physics tell us that the best we’ll ever do is possibly a mostly-copper alloy! Copper is one of the least environmentally friendly metals to mine!!
The other thing everybody is forgetting: A plug does not work in isolation, there needs to be a generation, and distribution infrastructure to support it!
The power grid is ALREADY STRAINED on the hottest days and the coldest nights. That would mean that in much of the US, the hottest days, which are also the highest ozone days would be the days when the grid really can accommodate the fewest electric cars being charged at any given time.
The coldest nights would require the most aggressive charging of batteries, because their output drops off at those temperatures. Again adding to the problem!!
In conclusion, unless we do a MASSIVE upgrade of the electrical grid, it’s not going to happen. In doing such a massive upgrade, we will run into problems like the fact that more than half of the journeyman electricians who are fully qualified to build such an upgrade are already over 40, and most public school systems and community colleges have shut down their vocational training programs for electricians!
Also, one thing worth noting: Unlike communications, which can be done over fiber, or water, which can be done over various plastics, there IS NO technologically feasible alternative to copper for constructing electrical lines! The laws of physics tell us that the best we’ll ever do is possibly a mostly-copper alloy! Copper is one of the least environmentally friendly metals to mine!!
The other thing everybody is forgetting: A plug does not work in isolation, there needs to be a generation, and distribution infrastructure to support it!
The power grid is ALREADY STRAINED on the hottest days and the coldest nights. That would mean that in much of the US, the hottest days, which are also the highest ozone days would be the days when the grid really can accommodate the fewest electric cars being charged at any given time.
The coldest nights would require the most aggressive charging of batteries, because their output drops off at those temperatures. Again adding to the problem!!
In conclusion, unless we do a MASSIVE upgrade of the electrical grid, it’s not going to happen. In doing such a massive upgrade, we will run into problems like the fact that more than half of the journeyman electricians who are fully qualified to build such an upgrade are already over 40, and most public school systems and community colleges have shut down their vocational training programs for electricians!
Also, one thing worth noting: Unlike communications, which can be done over fiber, or water, which can be done over various plastics, there IS NO technologically feasible alternative to copper for constructing electrical lines! The laws of physics tell us that the best we’ll ever do is possibly a mostly-copper alloy! Copper is one of the least environmentally friendly metals to mine!!
Yes I agree. Rent a hybrid when needed. Government should give tax concessions to hybrid rentals to make them much cheaper to rent than an normal car. Many people who use public transport for work commutes and drive mainly on weekends for shopping etc.. might only do 50 to 100 km per week. That’s easily handled by an electric car. There is definitely a viable market segment for EVs and obviously hybrids. There is simply no excuse.
EVs are more energy efficient than any other type of car. A conventional Internal Combustion engine car looses 65% of its power in heat, plus another 10% loss in the drive system. EVs best technology is around 90% plus efficient in transferring power to the wheels. It’s a no brainer really.
Thus a 1.2 litre car engine of about 57 kW power ( approx 76 horsepower, actually only provides abut 20kW to the wheels, being about 26 horsepower.
Thus you only need a 20 kW electric motor to get similar performance to a 1.2 litre engine. Probably batter as you get much better torque from electric motors. Typically electric cars will accelerate faster than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles of a similar power rating.
The internal combustion is essentially dead in the water as the primary power source. i.e. its future is limited. I expect hybrids will dominate new car sales within 5 years. EVs will hit their full stride by 2020.
Yes I agree. Rent a hybrid when needed. Government should give tax concessions to hybrid rentals to make them much cheaper to rent than an normal car. Many people who use public transport for work commutes and drive mainly on weekends for shopping etc.. might only do 50 to 100 km per week. That’s easily handled by an electric car. There is definitely a viable market segment for EVs and obviously hybrids. There is simply no excuse.
EVs are more energy efficient than any other type of car. A conventional Internal Combustion engine car looses 65% of its power in heat, plus another 10% loss in the drive system. EVs best technology is around 90% plus efficient in transferring power to the wheels. It’s a no brainer really.
Thus a 1.2 litre car engine of about 57 kW power ( approx 76 horsepower, actually only provides abut 20kW to the wheels, being about 26 horsepower.
Thus you only need a 20 kW electric motor to get similar performance to a 1.2 litre engine. Probably batter as you get much better torque from electric motors. Typically electric cars will accelerate faster than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles of a similar power rating.
The internal combustion is essentially dead in the water as the primary power source. i.e. its future is limited. I expect hybrids will dominate new car sales within 5 years. EVs will hit their full stride by 2020.
All these problems are an issue only if you think the battery will continue to take hours to charge. There is no law that limits battery energy absorption to a few hours. There are labs working on batteries they claim will charge to near full for a cell phone in 20 secs! If it only takes five minutes or so to charge the car, then convenience stores with gas stations could be easily retrofitted. It would probably be good for the stores, who make barely nothing of the actual gas, and most of the money off that overpriced soda. They would most likely see a increase in sales due to customers having a couple minutes longer to kill, which would make for a good incentive for them to change.
All these problems are an issue only if you think the battery will continue to take hours to charge. There is no law that limits battery energy absorption to a few hours. There are labs working on batteries they claim will charge to near full for a cell phone in 20 secs! If it only takes five minutes or so to charge the car, then convenience stores with gas stations could be easily retrofitted. It would probably be good for the stores, who make barely nothing of the actual gas, and most of the money off that overpriced soda. They would most likely see a increase in sales due to customers having a couple minutes longer to kill, which would make for a good incentive for them to change.
@Danielson
Wouldn’t it be a problem to have thousands of fast-charge batteries connect to the grid at once? Without some kind of smart-metering system the electrical system will not be able to handle this.
@Danielson
Wouldn’t it be a problem to have thousands of fast-charge batteries connect to the grid at once? Without some kind of smart-metering system the electrical system will not be able to handle this.
@Danielson
Wouldn’t it be a problem to have thousands of fast-charge batteries connect to the grid at once? Without some kind of smart-metering system the electrical system will not be able to handle this.
Add in Solar Power andor a Windmill and chargeing for free.
Add in Solar Power andor a Windmill and chargeing for free.
this article is complete petropropaganda. SmilinJoe basically said what I was going to. Looking forward to the cleaner air.
this article is complete petropropaganda. SmilinJoe basically said what I was going to. Looking forward to the cleaner air.
I totally agree with Chris Taylor
“NONE of this is NEEDED to get things going. None of it.
A proper EV has enough range for the average users ENTIRE DAY’S worth of driving and then just plug in at home.
JUST GET the damned cards on the road (the E95 NIMH powered cars IE ones we can afford) Just get them on the road. the INFRASTRUCTURE will take care of itself once they hit critical mass.”
In addition, if NiMH is dated then make a Presidential executive order or something forcing Chevron to make the patent its been hoarding Public Domain and let companies compete NOW, otherwise lets Boycott Chevron until they release the patent.
I stongly disagree with Billy, electric cars are way more efficient than movingparts internal combustion engine, and the method of producing electricity is irrelevant because you are NOT dependant on the SOURCE of electriciy, be it Coal; companies, municipalities and individuals can produce electricity from many sources, you wont need to change a distribution infrastructure nor your car engine if the shoping mall installs solar panel charging stations, or if you install solar panel on your roof, or if the city invests in a geothermal plant or windmills.
I totally agree with Chris Taylor
“NONE of this is NEEDED to get things going. None of it.
A proper EV has enough range for the average users ENTIRE DAY’S worth of driving and then just plug in at home.
JUST GET the damned cards on the road (the E95 NIMH powered cars IE ones we can afford) Just get them on the road. the INFRASTRUCTURE will take care of itself once they hit critical mass.”
In addition, if NiMH is dated then make a Presidential executive order or something forcing Chevron to make the patent its been hoarding Public Domain and let companies compete NOW, otherwise lets Boycott Chevron until they release the patent.
I stongly disagree with Billy, electric cars are way more efficient than movingparts internal combustion engine, and the method of producing electricity is irrelevant because you are NOT dependant on the SOURCE of electriciy, be it Coal; companies, municipalities and individuals can produce electricity from many sources, you wont need to change a distribution infrastructure nor your car engine if the shoping mall installs solar panel charging stations, or if you install solar panel on your roof, or if the city invests in a geothermal plant or windmills.
I totally agree with Chris Taylor
“NONE of this is NEEDED to get things going. None of it.
A proper EV has enough range for the average users ENTIRE DAY’S worth of driving and then just plug in at home.
JUST GET the damned cards on the road (the E95 NIMH powered cars IE ones we can afford) Just get them on the road. the INFRASTRUCTURE will take care of itself once they hit critical mass.”
In addition, if NiMH is dated then make a Presidential executive order or something forcing Chevron to make the patent its been hoarding Public Domain and let companies compete NOW, otherwise lets Boycott Chevron until they release the patent.
I stongly disagree with Billy, electric cars are way more efficient than movingparts internal combustion engine, and the method of producing electricity is irrelevant because you are NOT dependant on the SOURCE of electriciy, be it Coal; companies, municipalities and individuals can produce electricity from many sources, you wont need to change a distribution infrastructure nor your car engine if the shoping mall installs solar panel charging stations, or if you install solar panel on your roof, or if the city invests in a geothermal plant or windmills.
I totally agree with Chris Taylor
“NONE of this is NEEDED to get things going. None of it.
A proper EV has enough range for the average users ENTIRE DAY’S worth of driving and then just plug in at home.
JUST GET the damned cards on the road (the E95 NIMH powered cars IE ones we can afford) Just get them on the road. the INFRASTRUCTURE will take care of itself once they hit critical mass.”
In addition, if NiMH is dated then make a Presidential executive order or something forcing Chevron to make the patent its been hoarding Public Domain and let companies compete NOW, otherwise lets Boycott Chevron until they release the patent.
I stongly disagree with Billy, electric cars are way more efficient than movingparts internal combustion engine, and the method of producing electricity is irrelevant because you are NOT dependant on the SOURCE of electriciy, be it Coal; companies, municipalities and individuals can produce electricity from many sources, you wont need to change a distribution infrastructure nor your car engine if the shoping mall installs solar panel charging stations, or if you install solar panel on your roof, or if the city invests in a geothermal plant or windmills.
someday these charging stations will just be the same as a parking meter but a parking meter from hell
someday these charging stations will just be the same as a parking meter but a parking meter from hell