Who killed Electric Car?

Started by asinghatiya, November 08, 2010, 03:59:40 PM

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asinghatiya

Actually thinkig about cars and found that what stops companies in making a popular and efficient car. I came across this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Who_Killed_the_Electric_Car%3F .

We now and powerful brushless motors and hi strength Li-po or other similar battries. Unlike aircrafts a Car have no mandate to be light weight, so why even after so good options we dont have a popular small/medium car with all electricals?


:-)

anwar

#1
Well, cars like the Toyota Prius (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius) and Chevy Volt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Volt) have a large following in the US, so it is not like there is no traction on the electric car front.

What is more challenging to electric cars are "cost of producing electric power to charge these" and "highly efficient fuel engines" (like the one here : http://www.rcindia.org/chatter-zone/another-efficient-engine/)
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asinghatiya

Prius is a hybrid, we can't call it an electric car ;D, its a fuel efficient car with electeic intervention. My submission is that rest everything will remain same (body, frame and all other equipments needed in a car) Struggle is only with an efficient motor and a power pack.

We now have battries with very less charging time and long performance time. We can mix and match solar, wind, dynamo and invertor technology to create an inbuilt charger which always keep the charging process ON and have two set of power packs functioning alternately.

my concern is not R&D, my concern is
a) Public Perception of this car
b) Corporate will to develop this machine

Will a car with such sophesticated charging system be accepted in large. Will companies have desire to create such a machine which if a success will cannbalise thier own products.
:-)

rajathv8

Batteries require chemicals. Chemicals require mining. The mined chemicals in ore form have to be shipped from mining area to refinement/extraction area often over large distances requiring barges which comsume fuel and cause pollution. The chemical production from ore creates large amounts of water and air pollution. The chemicals have to them be transported to factories to make batteries and transportation causes pollution. Making batteries causes pollution. Once batteries are put into cars the batteries have to be charged. In India we depen heavily on thermal power plants which cause A LOT of pollution. Roughly 40% (as in a survey be bescom) is lost in transmission. So to charge batteries of say 400W you are causing pollution equivelent to 400VA+160VA = 560VA.

I really feel electrics will work only when all the pollution caused above can be reduced and until we find a way to produce CLEAN electricity.

On top gear a survey cconducted showed that the pollution caused in making a prius makes up for the pollution not caused while running. They also proved that a BMW M3 ( 414 bhp, 0-62mph in 4.6secs, max speed 155mph) following a prius doin full speed around the track consumed less fuel. BMW - 19MPG and prius 17MPG (miles per gallon).

So i feel an electric or hybrid makes sense only in certain countries and regions. We can do better by altering our driving style, walking to the shop (my neighbour uses the CAR to buy BREAD from a shop 100m away).

They do make sense in offices like GOOGLE where they have the entire roof ligned with solar pannels solely to charge the electric cars belonging to their employees while they are at work.

iamahuman

One good example is the Tesla roadster.It is a true sports car that runs completely on electricity.As Rajath rightly said,the energy used up to make electricity for the cars negates all the good effects of using clean and eco friendly cars.
"Chuck Norris once overcharged a lipo. Thank him for the Sun."

SSC LCG Slash 4x4.
JQ THE eCar.

KALYANPRODHAN

The batteries are manufactured once and charged & Discharged multiple times (Minimum a few hundred timed. The cost of running in Electricity is much cheaper than Liquid fuel.

However, Refueling time become vital and challenging to Electric Cars and that is the only drawback. High current charging also increases transmission loss.

Moreover, if Cell is to be replaced during refueling, to shorten the time, the new cell storage energy cannot be easily known like the volume of Petrol/Diesel.

However, In Bengal, Battery based power cycle are become very popular for local transport.

BUT I THINK, YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT RC CAR.
=================================

The Electric RC Cars become so cheap that it's attraction reduces and the hobby shop owners have much low margin per Car. ( In Kolkata, RC Cars start from Rs65/- and full functional Cars from Rs.140/- to Rs. 1700/- upto giant cars with rechargable batteries. But The fuel engines will soon be replaced by electric in hobby also. China & Delhi based Manufacturing units soon start manufacturing spair of Electric based spair parts and that will be the last nail. But the fuel engine will survive also after that like old gramophone record players.

Thanks
We have to unite and to prove ourself to make indigenous products as well as marketing / Canvasing them. I'm sure we must achieve success if we try unitedly.

asinghatiya

Great Analysis!! {:)}, I am talking about real carz of course (not RC once). I agree that battries require chemicals and the process and cost and the enviroment. 

I am hopeful and positive about innovators who will find clean source of energy or an alternate fuel for our engines :).

Alternate fuel can solve the problem if its hyderogen( very difficult to tame >:D).

My concern is still same - Will Auto or fuel companies promote this R&D which have a direct and severe impact on their business?



:-)

KALYANPRODHAN

We have to unite and to prove ourself to make indigenous products as well as marketing / Canvasing them. I'm sure we must achieve success if we try unitedly.

anwar

Hangar : Please see my introduction.
RC India forum and me : About this forum.

dinil


anwar

Hangar : Please see my introduction.
RC India forum and me : About this forum.

iamahuman

The G-Wiz is hated in Britain by petrol heads due to its speed.Not the ideal electric car.One of the best ones made was the Tesla Roadster.It was an electric sports car.
"Chuck Norris once overcharged a lipo. Thank him for the Sun."

SSC LCG Slash 4x4.
JQ THE eCar.