I need some straight answers about electric cars!?

Question

Are there any fully electric cars on the market right now? (or any car that doesnt use gas) What about these new hydrogen fuel cell cars? How much do they cost and can you buy them from dealerships? I go on the websites but they are very convoluted.

Answer 1

You'll probably find that you don't actually save much money with an electric car when you factor in higher cost, electricity cost, battery replacement costs and any extra registration fees to compensate for you not paying fuel taxes.

Most fully electric cars on the road are converted from internal combustion engine cars though it is possible to buy new fully electric cars from niche manufacturers (whether they'd be any good in a crash is another matter).

Hydrogen fuel cells are very expensive devices and you also need to make the hydrogen to run them on (which takes energy and most hydrogen is produced using steam reforming of methane and so for the moment hydrogen is fossil fuel derived).  You'll probably find a hard time find a dealer for an electric car.

Getting a smaller car is probably the most you could do (hybrids are better for the environment although if you are motivated only by economics you should avoid them, at least for the moment).

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.

Honda has just released their first Hydrogen car (FCX Clarity).

http://automobiles.honda.com/fcx-clarity...

"The FCX Clarity is a next-generation, zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle based on the entirely-new Honda V Flow fuel cell platform, and powered by the highly compact, efficient and powerful Honda V Flow fuel cell stack."

http://world.honda.com/news/2007/4071114...

It definitely has potential for "future car technology". In fact Honda just gave the first Individual Customer from Las Angeles a 2 year lease on the FCX.

http://world.honda.com/news/2005/4050629...

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

Recently someone drove from New York to California in an electric car and only spent $3.49 for electricity.  However, it cost the driver $145, 000 for the extension cord!

Sorry, I just couldn't resist telling that one.

Answer 4

go to naboliste.com and look up "Who killed the electric car".  It's very informative.

Answer 5

Tesla Motors is now selling an electric car but it's pricey. More models from Tesla and other makers are due out soon. The Honda FCX is also very expensive which is why it's only offered for lease so far. Once they make a sizable number of either vehicle the price will drop since at current numbers they're basically custom-made hand-assembled cars. Mass production will make them affordable.

You can refit cars to run off of batteries but I'd wait for the next generation of lithium-ion cells to become available rather than invest in outmoded technology. The Chevy Volt will use cells that won't leak and will still operate even if they've been damaged. You really don't want 5 batteries in your car if you have an accident or you'd have gallons of battery acid splashing everywhere, a bad situation.

Hydrogen is a lossy technology but the Honda FCX has some clever design choice and the Home Energy Station (HES) is a very good idea. It turns natural gas into hydrogen so you can refill your car's tank at home inexpensively. You can also generate electricity and produce hot water with the Station which is even better. Even if I didn't have an FCX I might want an HES that could power my entire house and provide hot water with no more than a battery and a natural gas connection. The last link show the risk involved in using hydrogen gas in a vehicle.

Answer 6

The websites are convoluted because the truth isn't so attractive.  There are no electric cars on the market that'll exceed the performance of a golf cart.  The Tesla Corp has yet to build their tenth car (the "first production run" consisted of seven cars, and they're having trouble with more, see Fortune Magazine).  

None of the other companies are producing anything more substantial than sales literature: there are no dealers, there are no cars.  GM's Volt may or may not be in production in a couple of years; we don't know and neither do they because they can't make a battery that will last very long.  

You can buy any number of small cars which have had their engines removed and replaced by an electric motor plus a thousand pounds of batteries, but they are slow and somewhat troublesome to deal with; there are always a few available on eBay.  

Sorry.  Despite what you've read, there are no electric cars, no hydrogen cars, no water-powered cars, and no compressed-air cars.

Answer 7

Yes, there are a few. Just do a search. They are there.

I don't think anyone is offering a H2 car retail yet, although several say they will be very soon. Some are on the road now testing them. GM and Honda (Maybe others?) has spent Millions on the H2 technology and they say maybe next year.