billvon 3,130 #1 December 16, 2005 Other than the battery problem, electric cars have internal-combustion cars beat hands down. A tenth the cost to operate. No pollution at the site of use, and much lower pollution even assuming a natural gas power plant generating the power to begin with. Oodles more torque, much simpler design, much easier maintenance, much higher power/weight ratio. Heck, you could build four electric motors into the wheels, have instant adaptive four wheel drive, and have the entire rest of the car for storage/passenger space. But battery technology has been holding electric cars back. Lead acids will give you a 60-70 mile range, tops, and take 2-3 hours to recharge to 80%. Nickel metal hydride can get you about 130 miles. That all may be about to change: http://www.valence.com/ucharge.asp These batteries would give a car a 200+ mile range (i.e. better than a lot of gas cars) could recharge to 75% in an hour (i.e. while you're shopping or at work) and would do so with half the weight of lead-acids. Right now the problem is cost; lithium is expensive. But with enough demand, that could change fast. I may have to get some of these and do a test with my electric bike. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cocheese 0 #2 December 16, 2005 li-po's are the way to go when it comes to electric R/C airplanes. But you need to sign a waiver to use them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
itllclear 1 #3 December 16, 2005 QuoteRight now the problem is cost; lithium is expensive. But with enough demand, that could change fast. . Bill -- are you saying we should ALL get on that medication? Blue Skies! Harry"Harry, why did you land all the way out there? Nobody else landed out there." "Your statement answered your question." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #4 December 16, 2005 QuoteQuoteRight now the problem is cost; lithium is expensive. But with enough demand, that could change fast. . Bill -- are you saying we should ALL get on that medication? Blue Skies! Harry Bwhahahahaha!!! Nice one, Harry! btw, how's Jana doing? Must be nice having all that medical advice at your beck-n-call. ltdiver Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
champu 1 #5 December 16, 2005 Quoteli-po's are the way to go when it comes to electric R/C airplanes. But you need to sign a waiver to use them. Why? Polymer-based lithion-ion batteries are actually fairly safe. Just don't, you know, crash your model airplane into a swimming pool. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
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