More on Electric Cars
Gordon K. Glatz
September 12, 2007
Nothing lasts for ever and certainly not this computer. A storm and a brown out caused me to have to re-install everything on my hard drive. How ever I have managed to re coop and I am back up to speed.
The light is shining at the end of the tunnel and an electric future may emerge yet. For Electric cars (EV's) have made some progress since my last writing. GM who crushed all those EV1's is now ( supposedly) coming out with a hybrid called The Volt, which will run on electric alone and re-charge from the built in generator, or can be plugged into an outlet to re-charge.
The net is a buzz with all kinds of speculation on different types of power sources to be used in these vehicles. Among these are Bio Fuels, Fuel Cells, Super Capacitors, Solar Cells, and of course the old stand by batteries. Which one will win out in the end is dependant upon many factors. There are those who will promote one type or another not because it is the best way to go, but to keep their profit flowing that they are enjoying now from their oil investments. The wealth in this country and the world for that matter is controlled by a minority, most of which care not about the plight of the poor majority. They do not want any new energy source that does not require a fuel to produce it.
These types would include anything that uses a consumable such as Bio Fuels that burn directly in the old IC engine or fuel Cells that use hydrogen to produce the electricity. The only one that does not require fuel right now is Solar. Even Capacitors, or Batteries require a charging source which may come from a generator running on a fuel, although that source could be Solar, water, or wind that uses no fuel.
Groups have formed that swear by and are promoting one source or another. The hydrogen people believe that hydrogen is the answer to all our energy problems. In most of what I read they do not tell you of the problems in producing and storing this highly explosive gas. The Bio people do not mention the problems with the food chain caused by using corn or sugar cane to produce ethanol. I fall into the group who supports all electrics, not because I believe batteries are the answer in the long range. They will do for now until some one invents or develops a replacement for them. Why pay for fuel if you do not have too?
The all electric should be less expensive to build than any ICE car, when you consider what is not used in them compared to the ICE cars. They don't require cooling, or exhaust systems, fuel pumps, starter motors, etc. or the engine and transmissions. Depending on which system is used DC or AC there might be a transmission involved. The only significant cost to building EV's is in the batteries. The law of supply and demand usually brings down the price the higher the demand, but some manufactures seeing a new demand for their product may deliberately raise their price.
It seems the best battery for automotive use is the NiMH, the rights to which was held by GM, but they sold the patent to Chevron. Chevron then sued Toyota to stop making the batteries for use in the Rav4-EV, and are refusing to license anyone to use them in EV's. So all efforts are directed towards lithium-ion batteries and other possible new innovations. Some of which I have been reading about are Super capacitors which charge faster and are suppose to have a long range. Another company has developed a paper battery which is no bigger then a postage stamp, and can be folded, bent, or cut into various shapes.
There are those who are not worrying about new batteries and are driving along on regular lead acid ones. These include ICE cars that have been converted to electric, by removing the IC engine and associated parts and linking an electric motor directly to the transmission. Others are still using small manufactured cars that are no longer being made, or have changed hands and names. Such as the Corbin Sparrow that is now called the NmG ( No More Gas), and built in Ohio. Many people are using solar panels on their home roofs to supply power for their home and their cars, 250 in one area alone. The rich end of the spectrum is waiting delivery of the Tesla Motors, Tesla Roadster a beautiful car I would like to own myself.
Do a search of the internet and you will be surprised at all the electrics being offered.
Copyright September, 2007 by Gordon K. Glatz
The light is shining at the end of the tunnel and an electric future may emerge yet. For Electric cars (EV's) have made some progress since my last writing. GM who crushed all those EV1's is now ( supposedly) coming out with a hybrid called The Volt, which will run on electric alone and re-charge from the built in generator, or can be plugged into an outlet to re-charge.
The net is a buzz with all kinds of speculation on different types of power sources to be used in these vehicles. Among these are Bio Fuels, Fuel Cells, Super Capacitors, Solar Cells, and of course the old stand by batteries. Which one will win out in the end is dependant upon many factors. There are those who will promote one type or another not because it is the best way to go, but to keep their profit flowing that they are enjoying now from their oil investments. The wealth in this country and the world for that matter is controlled by a minority, most of which care not about the plight of the poor majority. They do not want any new energy source that does not require a fuel to produce it.
These types would include anything that uses a consumable such as Bio Fuels that burn directly in the old IC engine or fuel Cells that use hydrogen to produce the electricity. The only one that does not require fuel right now is Solar. Even Capacitors, or Batteries require a charging source which may come from a generator running on a fuel, although that source could be Solar, water, or wind that uses no fuel.
Groups have formed that swear by and are promoting one source or another. The hydrogen people believe that hydrogen is the answer to all our energy problems. In most of what I read they do not tell you of the problems in producing and storing this highly explosive gas. The Bio people do not mention the problems with the food chain caused by using corn or sugar cane to produce ethanol. I fall into the group who supports all electrics, not because I believe batteries are the answer in the long range. They will do for now until some one invents or develops a replacement for them. Why pay for fuel if you do not have too?
The all electric should be less expensive to build than any ICE car, when you consider what is not used in them compared to the ICE cars. They don't require cooling, or exhaust systems, fuel pumps, starter motors, etc. or the engine and transmissions. Depending on which system is used DC or AC there might be a transmission involved. The only significant cost to building EV's is in the batteries. The law of supply and demand usually brings down the price the higher the demand, but some manufactures seeing a new demand for their product may deliberately raise their price.
It seems the best battery for automotive use is the NiMH, the rights to which was held by GM, but they sold the patent to Chevron. Chevron then sued Toyota to stop making the batteries for use in the Rav4-EV, and are refusing to license anyone to use them in EV's. So all efforts are directed towards lithium-ion batteries and other possible new innovations. Some of which I have been reading about are Super capacitors which charge faster and are suppose to have a long range. Another company has developed a paper battery which is no bigger then a postage stamp, and can be folded, bent, or cut into various shapes.
There are those who are not worrying about new batteries and are driving along on regular lead acid ones. These include ICE cars that have been converted to electric, by removing the IC engine and associated parts and linking an electric motor directly to the transmission. Others are still using small manufactured cars that are no longer being made, or have changed hands and names. Such as the Corbin Sparrow that is now called the NmG ( No More Gas), and built in Ohio. Many people are using solar panels on their home roofs to supply power for their home and their cars, 250 in one area alone. The rich end of the spectrum is waiting delivery of the Tesla Motors, Tesla Roadster a beautiful car I would like to own myself.
Do a search of the internet and you will be surprised at all the electrics being offered.
Copyright September, 2007 by Gordon K. Glatz
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