Who Killed The Electric Car?
01-10-2007 | 10:23 AM
#12
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Not to mention the relative newness of the technology. Theres alot of room to grow in the Hydrogen area of automotive propulsion.
Electric propulsion, contrary to popular belief, is not really in it's infancy. The next gen Prius is targetted to yield 25% better efficiency while provinding 15-20% better acceleration. While major advances were made in the motor, energy recapture and generation, weight reduction and aerodynamics, the car is not the technological breakthrough that its predecessors were.
Major changes are the new Lithium Ion Batteries VS. the Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries currently used, as well as the use of a smallish turbocharger with it's Atkinson cycle engine.
Now here's the problem. With the current Prius, engineers have always known the shift to Li-on is the next step, albeit a problematic one. Li-on has been around for 5+ years and has proven to be a great step forward from Ni-MH in nearly all areas (save overheating, which has been resolved). Problem is, there is no next step. No newer battery technology after Li-on.
There are evolutions of Li-on, yes, but nothing as significant. I can't describe how much attention is focused on improving energy storage globally, and breakthroughs are expected in the 5 year timeframe. By then, expect Li-on prices to fall quite a bit.
I have not seen the movie but I have worked with the CEO of REVA and have a good understanding of the electric vehicle industry. I believe that the fusion of Hydrogen and Electric vehicles is the future. Till the global economy can afford this expensive future, Hybrids that continue to shift towards Fully Electrics will have to do.
If Im still in the US then, my next car will be the 2008/09 Prius
Electric propulsion, contrary to popular belief, is not really in it's infancy. The next gen Prius is targetted to yield 25% better efficiency while provinding 15-20% better acceleration. While major advances were made in the motor, energy recapture and generation, weight reduction and aerodynamics, the car is not the technological breakthrough that its predecessors were.
Major changes are the new Lithium Ion Batteries VS. the Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries currently used, as well as the use of a smallish turbocharger with it's Atkinson cycle engine.
Now here's the problem. With the current Prius, engineers have always known the shift to Li-on is the next step, albeit a problematic one. Li-on has been around for 5+ years and has proven to be a great step forward from Ni-MH in nearly all areas (save overheating, which has been resolved). Problem is, there is no next step. No newer battery technology after Li-on.
There are evolutions of Li-on, yes, but nothing as significant. I can't describe how much attention is focused on improving energy storage globally, and breakthroughs are expected in the 5 year timeframe. By then, expect Li-on prices to fall quite a bit.
I have not seen the movie but I have worked with the CEO of REVA and have a good understanding of the electric vehicle industry. I believe that the fusion of Hydrogen and Electric vehicles is the future. Till the global economy can afford this expensive future, Hybrids that continue to shift towards Fully Electrics will have to do.
If Im still in the US then, my next car will be the 2008/09 Prius
01-10-2007 | 11:07 AM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
Vehicle: 2001/Hyundai/Tiburon
You know, if people learned how to drive, gas wouldnt be an issue. If gov't employees didnt fly everywhere they go and be escorted with huge caravans..etc.etc.etc.
heres another good point, if the only thing about gas is the price that bothers you, stop wasting money on unnecessary expenses and then you can afford to fill up
The prius is a piece dont waste your money.
heres another good point, if the only thing about gas is the price that bothers you, stop wasting money on unnecessary expenses and then you can afford to fill up
The prius is a piece dont waste your money.