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| The Electric Car | |
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| Topic Started: Sep 16 2009, 12:33 PM (524 Views) | |
| Sean_ | Sep 16 2009, 12:33 PM Post #1 |
Infinite One
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Electric cars everywhere at Frankfurt show Last Updated: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 | 11:55 AM ET The Associated Press The race is on among the world's auto companies to make electric cars go farther on a single charge, bring the price down to compete with gas-powered vehicles, and give drivers more places to recharge them than just the family garage. Electric is the big buzz at the 63rd Frankfurt Auto Show this week, and nearly every major automaker has at least one on display. Renault introduced no fewer than four electric models, while Tesla, the only company producing and selling purely electric cars, handed over the keys to its 700th all-electric vehicle, a blue Roadster Sport, to a German buyer at the show. If the models unveiled Tuesday are any indication, the notion of electric cars as small, stunted boxes with little range is about to be junked. "People have realized that … electric vehicles don't have to be golf carts," said Diarmuid O'Connell, vice-president of business development for Tesla Motors Inc. "They don't have to be anemic little putt-putts." The company's sleek, two-seat Roadster — which in the U.S. sells for $101,500 — has a range of 393 kilometres on one charge. Its planned Model S, which will seat seven and has a 483-kilometre range, will go for $49,900 US. Other automakers, including BMW, General Motors and Daimler, are also developing electric-powered vehicles, including hybrid cars that boast a small gas or diesel engine backed up with an electrical motor, and say the prices will drop as bulky batteries become smaller, faster to charge and easier to replace. Daimler said it will put its first electricity generating fuel-cell car on the road by the end of this year, the B-Class F-Cell. It will also develop a high-performance electric sports car, its Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. Volkswagen AG will put its new E-Up! electric compact into production in 2013. VW did not disclose how much it will cost or when it might be available in the U.S. It said the battery will give drivers a range of about 130 kilometres. Analysts expect global production of purely electric cars to expand rapidly in the coming years. IHS Global Insight forecast that it will grow from nearly 9,500 this year to more than 58,000 in 2011. Electric cars generally run between 60 to 200 kilometres on a single charge, while taking anywhere from two to seven hours to fully recharge. Analysts have long contended that a roadblock to the deployment of electric cars has been the lack of infrastructure to ensure they can be charged, whether at home, at the office or at stations in the city or along a highway. Building that infrastructure could cost billions and billions of dollars. Europe is likely to get charging networks faster than the U.S. because of its higher gasoline prices, greater population density and compact size compared with the United States. In the U.S., Japan's Nissan Motor Co. has taken the lead, forming partnerships to bring electric vehicles and charging stations to Seattle, Tennessee, Oregon and elsewhere. For example, Arizona's Electric Transportation Engineering Corp. recently struck a $100 million deal to build charging stations for Nissan's planned Leaf electric car. Elsewhere around the world, Renault Nissan has teamed up with Palo Alto, Calif.-based Better Place, which is building a network of charging stations and stands in Israel and Denmark and plans to do the same in Australia. Drivers will be able to plug their cars in or swap out their depleted batteries for freshly charged ones. Better Place said the networks could operate like cellphone service, with customers buying a certain number of miles in advance or getting an unlimited amount for a set fee with a contract. To help bring Germany up to speed, its government plans to spend some 500 million euros ($787 Cdn) on a plan that aims to put one million electric cars on the road by 2020. The figure includes 170 million euros ($267 Cdn) for battery research. Analysts say it will take at least a decade to see if electric cars can keep pace with, or surpass, gas-powered automobiles. The massive, sensitive, costly and fast-depleting batteries that take the place of internal combustion engines are expensive to produce, as well. "The industry needs to continue to overcome the obstacles of extended range, price and impact on the grid if we're going to be able to deliver a better experience than what consumers currently get," said Shai Agassi, founder and CEO of Better Place. http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2009/09/1...ctric-cars.html |
It has happened before. It will happen again.  | |
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| Sean_ | Sep 16 2009, 05:18 PM Post #2 |
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Infinite One
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BYD Plans Limited Introduction of e6 EV in US Next Year 22 August 2009 BYD Auto, the Chinese automaker part-owned by a Warren Buffett company, plans to introduce a limited number of its e6 electric crossovers in the US next year, according to BYD Chairman Wang Chuanfu in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. BYD had showcased the e6 at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January. Wang said the company will use proceeds from a new share issue to finance the US introduction, as well as for another production line for its lithium iron phosphate batteries in China. Wang said BYD will select a specific region in the US and target a few hundred e6s at government agencies, utilities and perhaps celebrities. BYD plans a similar entry strategy in Europe in 2011 or later. In January at NAIAS, BYD said that it was BYD planning four motor combinations for the e6, which can offer all-wheel drive with front and rear motors: 75 kW; 75 kW + 40 kW; 160 kW; and 160 kW + 40 kW. Electric power consumption will be less than 18 kWh/100km (290 Wh/mile). BYD says that the e6 has a range of more than 400 km (249 miles). In China, the e6 uses a 220V, 10A charge. http://www.greencarcongress.com/2009/08/byde6-20090822.html |
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| Sean_ | Sep 16 2009, 05:20 PM Post #3 |
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Infinite One
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Nissan to begin retail sales of 5,000 Leaf EVs next year in major U.S. markets by Jeremy Korzeniewski Aug 6th 2009 at 4:14PM Nissan is wasting little time in planning for the release of its recently-announced Leaf electric car. Perhaps the reason details of the car's U.S. launch were so slim at launch is because Nissan was waiting for the official announcement of the Obama administration's $2.4 billion investment into electric vehicles and the infrastructure needed to support them, $99.8 million of which has been awarded to eTec, a division of ECOtality that specializes in electric vehicle charging systems. That sum of money (to be matched by "regional project participants"), will allow eTec to install 2,500 EV charging stations in Tennessee, Oregon, San Diego, Seattle and the Phoenix/Tucson region in Arizona. Of course, chargers aren't any good without any vehicles to plug into them, so Nissan has pledged to support the project with up to 1,000 new Leaf EVs in each of these selected markets. This announcement puts retail sales of the upcoming Leaf two years ahead of the previously-planned schedule. Nissan hopes to gather information on the charging patterns of these initial 5,000 Leaf owners, so buyers will need to agree to carry an onboard data logger that will be monitored by the automaker and the U.S. Department of Energy. PRESS RELEASE: NISSAN SUPPORTS ELECTRIC VEHICLE & INFRASTRUCTURE DEPLOYMENT PROJECT Dept. of Energy Grant Helps Ready Markets for Zero Emissions FRANKLIN, Tenn. (Aug. 5, 2009) – The U.S. Department of Energy today announced a grant for the largest deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure ever undertaken. Nissan is supporting the lead grant applicant, Electric Transportation Engineering Corp. (eTec), by pledging to make available up to 1,000 Nissan LEAF zero-emission electric vehicles in each of five major markets. Nissan, through the Renault-Nissan Alliance, is committed to being a global leader in zero-emission vehicles. The $99.8 million grant to eTec, which will be matched by regional project participants for a project valued at approximately $199.6 million, is for installation of approximately 2,500 charging stations in each of the selected markets – Tennessee, Oregon, San Diego, Seattle and the Phoenix/Tucson region. The project also involves the deployment of up to 1,000 Nissan LEAF zero-emission vehicles in each market. The project will collect and analyse data characterising vehicle use in diverse topographies and climate conditions, evaluate the effectiveness of charging infrastructure, and conduct trials of various revenue systems for commercial and public charging infrastructure. To test and analyse electric vehicle usage and charging patterns in a simulated, mature charging environment, the deployment of charging infrastructure will target major population areas. "Nissan appreciates the support of the Department of Energy in helping jumpstart the electrification of the transportation sector," said Scott Becker vice president, Legal and General Counsel, Nissan North America. "This is a major step in promoting zero-emission mobility in the United States. Nissan is looking forward to partnering with eTec to help make electric cars a reality and to help establish the charging networks in key markets." "This project will enhance America's leadership role in clean electric transportation and exemplifies the Department of Energy's strategic foresight and commitment to improving our environment, economy and energy independence," said Jonathan Read, president and CEO, ECOtality, parent company of eTec. "By developing a rich charge infrastructure in each market, this project will enable a successful consumer experience among early EV adopters and increase market demand for electric transportation." Nissan on Aug. 2 introduced the Nissan LEAF, the world's first affordable, zero-emission car. Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that comfortably seats five adults and has a range of 100 miles to satisfy real-world consumer requirements. The Nissan LEAF will launch in the United States in late 2010. U.S. production will begin in late 2012 at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn. The Renault-Nissan Alliance has begun zero-emissions vehicle initiatives in Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama in Japan, as well as in Israel, Denmark, Portugal, Monaco, the UK, France, Switzerland, Ireland, China and Hong Kong. In the United States, the Alliance is exploring ways to promote zero-emission mobility and the development of an EV infrastructure in the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County and San Diego in California, Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., Seattle, and Raleigh, N.C. PRESS RELEASE: NISSAN SUPPORTS ELECTRIC VEHICLE & INFRASTRUCTURE DEPLOYMENT PROJECT Dept. of Energy Grant Helps Ready Markets for Zero Emissions FRANKLIN, Tenn. (Aug. 5, 2009) – The U.S. Department of Energy today announced a grant for the largest deployment of electric vehicles (EVs) and charging infrastructure ever undertaken. Nissan is supporting the lead grant applicant, Electric Transportation Engineering Corp. (eTec), by pledging to make available up to 1,000 Nissan LEAF zero-emission electric vehicles in each of five major markets. Nissan, through the Renault-Nissan Alliance, is committed to being a global leader in zero-emission vehicles. The $99.8 million grant to eTec, which will be matched by regional project participants for a project valued at approximately $199.6 million, is for installation of approximately 2,500 charging stations in each of the selected markets – Tennessee, Oregon, San Diego, Seattle and the Phoenix/Tucson region. The project also involves the deployment of up to 1,000 Nissan LEAF zero-emission vehicles in each market. The project will collect and analyse data characterising vehicle use in diverse topographies and climate conditions, evaluate the effectiveness of charging infrastructure, and conduct trials of various revenue systems for commercial and public charging infrastructure. To test and analyse electric vehicle usage and charging patterns in a simulated, mature charging environment, the deployment of charging infrastructure will target major population areas. "Nissan appreciates the support of the Department of Energy in helping jumpstart the electrification of the transportation sector," said Scott Becker vice president, Legal and General Counsel, Nissan North America. "This is a major step in promoting zero-emission mobility in the United States. Nissan is looking forward to partnering with eTec to help make electric cars a reality and to help establish the charging networks in key markets." "This project will enhance America's leadership role in clean electric transportation and exemplifies the Department of Energy's strategic foresight and commitment to improving our environment, economy and energy independence," said Jonathan Read, president and CEO, ECOtality, parent company of eTec. "By developing a rich charge infrastructure in each market, this project will enable a successful consumer experience among early EV adopters and increase market demand for electric transportation." Nissan on Aug. 2 introduced the Nissan LEAF, the world's first affordable, zero-emission car. Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery-powered chassis, Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that comfortably seats five adults and has a range of 100 miles to satisfy real-world consumer requirements. The Nissan LEAF will launch in the United States in late 2010. U.S. production will begin in late 2012 at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tenn. The Renault-Nissan Alliance has begun zero-emissions vehicle initiatives in Kanagawa Prefecture and Yokohama in Japan, as well as in Israel, Denmark, Portugal, Monaco, the UK, France, Switzerland, Ireland, China and Hong Kong. In the United States, the Alliance is exploring ways to promote zero-emission mobility and the development of an EV infrastructure in the State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County and San Diego in California, Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., Seattle, and Raleigh, N.C. http://green.autoblog.com/2009/08/06/nissa...-in-five-major/ |
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| BeanBoy | Sep 23 2009, 11:40 PM Post #4 |
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Pushing the Limits
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Pie in the sky. Nothing more. The electric car is too tied up with politics to ever come to fruition. You have to get electricity somewhere. |
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| Sean_ | Sep 23 2009, 11:44 PM Post #5 |
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Infinite One
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Think again. |
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| Sean_ | Sep 23 2009, 11:47 PM Post #6 |
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Infinite One
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This is from an e mail from a friend.
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| BeanBoy | Sep 24 2009, 12:42 AM Post #7 |
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Pushing the Limits
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Meaning? |
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| Sean_ | Sep 24 2009, 12:42 AM Post #8 |
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Infinite One
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My friend has been keeping a close eye on the (serious) development of the electric car. He noted how much of what was at the Frankfurt show are prototypes and concept cars. He' only interested in the companies who are really serious about it. He points out two companies to me. Nissan, for the Leaf, and the Chinese company, BYD. He thinks this charging station idea is nonsense and the battery exchange idea is impractical. He thinks what's really going to work is the plug in at your own home concept as the most practical and is what people are really going to want. I must mention here that my friend has never in his life owned a car and doesn't even have a drivers license. He's looking at the companies as investment prospects. He's a multimillionaire, by the way. Via investing. Like me he sees the problems with supply of metals and ramp up of power plants just a temporary supply and demand problem. If there's money to be made they will catch up. Just like when the first automobile was invented along with the internal combustion engine, once the electric car goes into mass production things will evolve quickly. |
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| Sean_ | Sep 24 2009, 12:44 AM Post #9 |
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Infinite One
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Electric Car. Batteries. Lithium Ion Batteries. Big ones. |
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| BeanBoy | Sep 24 2009, 12:44 AM Post #10 |
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Pushing the Limits
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Without nuclear power it cannot happen. It just can't! |
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| Sean_ | Sep 24 2009, 12:48 AM Post #11 |
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Infinite One
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And your point is? |
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| BeanBoy | Sep 24 2009, 12:49 AM Post #12 |
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Pushing the Limits
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We are not allowed nuclear power. But then that's political, no? |
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| Sean_ | Sep 24 2009, 12:51 AM Post #13 |
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Infinite One
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He mentioned to me another type of power source called the EEStor Ultracapacitor /battery. But is so new no one knows if its really going to work. If it does it can be recharged forever meaning you will never have to replace it. |
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| Sean_ | Sep 24 2009, 12:54 AM Post #14 |
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Infinite One
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There's no rule like that here. :) and besides where i live we have hyrdo electric power coming out of our ears. If we need more there are plenty more rivers to be damned. Are you serious? You guys have some no nuclear plant rule? Nuclear is a hell of a lot less damaging to the environment than coal fired plants. |
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| BeanBoy | Sep 24 2009, 12:56 AM Post #15 |
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Pushing the Limits
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Wouldn't that be sweet? Along with the cures for diseases from the seventies, just around the corner. It's all bullshit Sean and you know it. |
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