2011 Tesla Roadster
#31
Registered User
Originally Posted by JakeJewler,Jul 6 2010, 09:23 AM
Last time I looked, it seemed like the majority of manufacturers have "officially" announced their electric cars with launch dates. Mitsubishi, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, Nissan, Toyota, Tesla(sedan), etc. Lets get real here, it is going to be the future.
#32
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The problem with electric cars is the battery, that’s it. Battery technology getting better so other solutions (hybrids) are there like what GM did with it Volt car which uses a ICE Generator when the battery SOC is getting low.
Talking about electric cars efficiency and CO2 emissions depends on the source of electric power to recharge the batteries, once there are enough renewable energy power plants, then the EV’s are the best solution.
Hydrogen in the fuel cell is great technology for EV but the safe transportation of hydrogen is difficult compared to the gasoline or diesel.
Nuclear power can’t be used with today’s technology in cars or air planes because it is simply needs a lot of water (sink) to generate steam and cool down the reactor.
So both battery tech and renewable energy makes EV’s perfect, but this takes time and it is in progress.While EV in progress, ICE cars are also getting better efficiency specially the diesel and the hybrids. This going to move until we see a clear “shift”.
Talking about electric cars efficiency and CO2 emissions depends on the source of electric power to recharge the batteries, once there are enough renewable energy power plants, then the EV’s are the best solution.
Hydrogen in the fuel cell is great technology for EV but the safe transportation of hydrogen is difficult compared to the gasoline or diesel.
Nuclear power can’t be used with today’s technology in cars or air planes because it is simply needs a lot of water (sink) to generate steam and cool down the reactor.
So both battery tech and renewable energy makes EV’s perfect, but this takes time and it is in progress.While EV in progress, ICE cars are also getting better efficiency specially the diesel and the hybrids. This going to move until we see a clear “shift”.
#33
Originally Posted by VTEC_Junkie,Jul 6 2010, 09:47 PM
todays electical cars use huge battery packs to merely give its car a couple hundred miles range. think of how many cars visit any single gas station each day to fill up. in order to meet that kind of demand for electrical cars, these "battery swapping" stations will have to be enormous warehouses to be able to store and charge all these batteries. on top of that, weaker and more feeble individuals who are capable of pumping their own gas today will require the assistance of others to perform the task of battery swapping. this, imo, is no solution.
Electric and plug-in hybrids will become more and more common in the coming years and decades, and this is a good thing for all of us. And it will extend the window of viability of fossil-fuel powered vehicles.
#34
Originally Posted by NuncoStr8,Jul 6 2010, 06:19 PM
The problem is that people won't need the power grid while they are driving. They're going to come home from work and plug in their cars under your scenario.
Diesel currently provides ~1% of electric generating power in the US. But that's a deceptive number. When you come home from work and turn on the TV, throw some food in the oven, and crank the AC on high, the local hydro dam starts up their diesel generators. They can't easily make any more power than they are already making, especially not when the water is low. And a coal or gas plant can't cycle turbines on and off every day for the short periods of increased demand.
If everybody goes out and buys a plug-in electric car, the evening load is going to skyrocket.
It's not a question of whether we're going to continue to all drive 5000+ lb. SUVs or we're all going to drive electric vehicles. There will be a transition to more electric for commuting. The excess power that powerplants have in off-peak hours will more than cover the new demand for transportation for the near-term future. Obviously, we should also have an energy policy that will ensure clean energy production for industry and for transportation going forward, which will mean more wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and nuclear.
Having a transportation grid charging up overnight won't drive the peak requirement for a long time. If and when it does, it won't be addressed by diesel generators.
#35
Originally Posted by NuncoStr8,Jul 6 2010, 06:19 PM
Diesel currently provides ~1% of electric generating power in the US. But that's a deceptive number. When you come home from work and turn on the TV, throw some food in the oven, and crank the AC on high, the local hydro dam starts up their diesel generators. They can't easily make any more power than they are already making, especially not when the water is low. And a coal or gas plant can't cycle turbines on and off every day for the short periods of increased demand.
#38
Don't see why a large manufacturer cant produce a simple 2 seat electric plug-in commuter similar to the smart car in size. Would pick one up for commuting to work and around town for sure... this tesla sure looks good though. I wouldn't mind an electric sportscar. Find a way to tune the electric motors sound and i'll be happy.
#39
Registered User
Originally Posted by VTEC_Junkie,Jul 6 2010, 09:47 PM
todays electical cars use huge battery packs to merely give its car a couple hundred miles range. think of how many cars visit any single gas station each day to fill up. in order to meet that kind of demand for electrical cars, these "battery swapping" stations will have to be enormous warehouses to be able to store and charge all these batteries. on top of that, weaker and more feeble individuals who are capable of pumping their own gas today will require the assistance of others to perform the task of battery swapping. this, imo, is no solution.
Give me a better plan? Magic superfast recharging batteries and hydrogen that doesn't take more energy to produce then it provides are not options. Like i said it has it's own problems, but every other solution has technical problems that aren't even solved and may never be solved. The other alternative, lets just use gas forever won't work either. People are going to put an end to that soon. I have not heard a better plan then this.
#40
Originally Posted by sparrow,Jul 7 2010, 09:10 AM
Don't see why a large manufacturer cant produce a simple 2 seat electric plug-in commuter similar to the smart car in size. Would pick one up for commuting to work and around town for sure... this tesla sure looks good though. I wouldn't mind an electric sportscar. Find a way to tune the electric motors sound and i'll be happy.