Couldn't high gas prices be the pefect opportunity for the electric car ?

Question

Why doesn't anyone promote the electric car ?

Is it because the oil companies have made a backroom deal with manufactures to trash the idea ?

Will the Japanese turn to it ?

Any thoughts here ?

Answer 1

I hate electric cars. Sure, it's less money to pay for the driver, but lets face it, the batteries they use are pretty harmful to the enviroment, along with the burning method it takes to get electricity. There are much healthier ways to help the enviroment. For example, use biodiesel and a percentage of alcohol instead of gas, or use steam generated by alcohol burning, or even the compressed air engine, which is just like a steam engine running on the pressure of compressed air instead of steam pressure (w/ a few mods, including an improved lubrication system, which doesn't have to use oil, it can even use veggie oil and ground lard) There are lots of ways to help the enviroment that don't use those incredibly inneficient electric engines. Try going to http://howstuffworks.com/ for some good alternitive power suggestions. It's a great website to check out.

Answer 2

The one EV car I currently have (have 2 vehicles that run on hydrogen also) I converted from a vw bug and is free to charge. As I live completely off the grid all my electricity comes from solar panels and 2 wind generators, which I also built.

However I did charge up at Costco in Carlsbad California (I actually only drove up there to fill up) if I remember right it was around $2.00

Not sure if you’re interesting in doing it yourself, but I’d be willing to walk you step by step threw the conversion. I've converted 3 of my own cars (a datsun truck, ford ban, and a vw bug) and a few for neighbors. I've also converted cars to run on hydrogen, ethanol and biodiesel, by far EV is the easiest.

If you’re interested here’s what it would entitle…

- The engine compartment is first cleaned out of any gasoline components.

- Electric components are then installed in exchange.

- A battery bank is built and incorporated.

- Existing starter and driving systems are connected.

- Turn the key, step on the gas pedal sending more energy to the electric motor, & thus more power to the drive system, which in return creates more speed, more acceleration.

- The system has normal automotive top speeds and acceleration, typical to the vehicle your modifying. If your top speed was 85 mph and your acceleration was 1 mile per min, then this will be what your left with after the conversion.

The methods are extremely simple, making the process possible for anyone, everyone, ANYWHERE.

Typical tools, hardware & supplies are used, making access to parts available for all.

Electric Conversions can be easily accomplished in ANY model vehicle, even tractors, Generators, types of machinery, etc.

Project lengths range from 1 day to 1 month.

If you’re interested I wrote a guide on it which is available at www agua-luna com

My last EV conversion ran me about $1400. Everything is available online. I have a how to do it yourself guide available at www agua-luna com that will walk you step by step through the process. If you have ANY questions feel free to contact me through the site. Here’s a list of what you'd need...

Advanced DC Motor

The motor is an 8" Advanced DC series-wound motor. It weighs 107 pounds and is rated at 68 peak horsepower. These motors are available in several sizes.



Adaptor plate

The adaptor plate mates the motor to the transmission. It is constructed of 1/2 inch aluminum and is pre-drilled with bolt hole patterns for both the motor and transmission. An aluminum spacer is also used for proper spacing between the shafts of the transmission and motor. Adaptor plates are available for many cars.

DC Motor Controller

The controller regulates current going to the motor. It is a solid-state device that uses a pulse width modulator (PWM) that sends short bursts of current to the motor at a rate of 15 kHz. Controllers are available from both Curtis and DCP.

Potbox (Potentiometer)

The potbox is a 5K ohm throttle between the controller and the accelerator, similar to the way a sewing machine pedal works. The potbox's lever arm is attached to the existing accelerator cable.

Main Contactor

An electric relay that serves the same purpose as the ignition switch in a gas car. When the key is turned to the start position, the contactor closes the circuit to allow current to flow to the controller.

Circuit Breaker

A safety device that shuts down power for servicing or during an emergency. The circuit breaker is installed under the hood and can be switched both off and on from the drivers seat with an extension or cable.



Main Fuse

The main fuse protect the system from high voltage spikes. A fuse should be installed at each battery box or group of batteries.



Shunt

A shunt is placed in series within the wiring as a means to connect meters. Shunts are available in different sizes for both high and low power configurations.

  

Charger interlock

A relay that keeps the circuit open so nobody will inadvertantly drive off with the charge cord plugged into the car.



DC/DC Converter

The DC/DC converter is similar in function to a gas car's alternator. It charges the 12 volt accessory battery by chopping voltage from the main battery pack down to 13.5 volts.

If you interested I offer several DIY alternative guides to walk you step by step threw EV conversion process at agua-luna com or

www agua-luna com

Hope this helped, feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions if you’d like assistance in making your first self sufficient steps, I’m willing to walk you step by step threw the process. I’ve written several how-to DIY guides available at  www agua-luna com on the subject. I also offer online and on-site workshops, seminars and internships to help others help the environment.

Dan Martin

Alterative Energy / Sustainable Consultant, Living 100% on Alternative & Author of How One Simple Yet Incredibly Powerful Resource Is Transforming The Lives of Regular People From All Over The World... Instantly Elevating Their Income & Lowering Their Debt, While Saving The Environment by Using FREE ENERGY... All With Just One Click of A Mouse...For more info Visit:  

www AGUA-LUNA com

Stop Global Warming!!!

Answer 3

The idea is not trashed, it is in fact still alive.  There is a a

club in Seattle that converts VW bugs and rabbits to

electric as a hobby.  Everything is bought off of the shelf,

they do not have to make anything,  just remove the gas

guzzler engine and bolt the parts on.      The down side

is low range (about fifty miles) and cost (about six grand)

but the cars run great! ! !

Answer 4

There are several companies working on electric cars. Look up Tesla, Zap motors, and Phoenix. They are all going to be selling all-electric cars in the near future.

The only real sticking point right now is the batteries. The technology to build reliable batteries that have a decent range is not quite there, but it is very close. I doubt it will be more than 5 years before you can but an all-electric car that goes over 300 miles per charge (the Tesla has a range of 220 miles, and is coming out very soon, like in the next month or so).

Answer 5

The reason they aren't promoting electric cars is the same as the reason they're not promoting flying cars: there aren't any practical ones.  Note that the famous Tesla has just 'delivered' their first cars, only what they've actually delivered is a promise to have them in fifteen months, which means autumn of 2010.  The Chevy Volt is in a similar position: lots of literature, but no car.  

Nobody else has electric cars either: whenever you dig deep enough into anyone's electric car website it turns out that the cars are, in fact, still in Car Heaven somewhere, waiting to be born as soon as enough investors or potential purchasers send in money.  

I think it's interesting that people have learned to manufacture conspiracy theories rather than real solutions to problems.  That's what happens when you replace shop class with consumer-education classes.

Answer 6

It is the oppurtunity for electric. There are more hybrids every year. The Chevy Volt is an electric car that could be on the market in a couple of years.

Answer 7

There is lot of research going on about alternative source of energy. Wind, solar and sea waves are the research areas where they are trying to make these sources commercially viable.

Electric cars have inherent problems. Present cars are battery operated. These have very limited capacity. So these can not be used for long drives and have limited mobility. It is not possible to install generators in the car ( instead of batteries ).

World gas stocks are fast depleting. So we will have to do more research in this area.

Answer 8

Mainstream America will never give up their internal combustion engine. I say in the short term we need to drill our own oil, and in the long term start making a switch to ethanol and biodiesel. Ethanol can be made out of anything that grows and is a truly renewable resourse.

Answer 9

Or the opportunity to repeal the 30 year moratorium on drilling in the USA.   As well as building more nuclear power plants, more refineries and drilling in other areas of the US.

Answer 10

Yes, they certainly are.  Electric and Hybrid cars are gradually becoming a bigger portion of the market, and I think that within the next ten years, they will be the biggest part of what we see on the road.  New models of electric cars are coming out every year, including the Miles Sedan next year, and the Extended Range Electric Chevrolet Volt the year after that, and they are becoming progressively more affordable, with the Miles Sedan and Chevy Volt both within the range of a typical semi-luxury car.

Answer 11

Oil became the widest used fuel do to its cost and efficiency in late 1800's.  the same will hold true today.    its a function of cost and efficiency.   if the electric car become cheap for the long run, and can be held as an efficient means,  then it may replace oil.   i think in the past it has been the cost, battery size, and limited length between charges that has held back electric motors.  same with hydrogen,  its too expensive to produce,  as of now.  as soon as we (or Japan, France) can over come the high cost of alternative energy sources,  then that alternative will be forced to be the "main stay" by economic forces.  

I'm sure oil Co's in past probably have fought monetarily against new forms,  but even that has limits in terms of being economically possible, it seems oil companies are the largest captial investors in the these new fields.