Real quick, I believe that car makers are too SLOW.?

Question

They say “the nation’s infrastructure can’t support their new technology.” That’s explicative. I know that people can convert a diesel engine to run on biodiesel. Well I want to convert a caravan to an electric motor… Is this a pipe dream for me? I’m not an engineer, but I am mechanically inclined. Does a convertor kit exist or do I need to beg outside the Tesla motors plant?

Answer 1

You can convert a diesel engine to run on biodiesel because you're not really converting anything; you're simply getting the fuel from a different source and hoping it won't gum up the fuel pump.  To build an electric vehicle, you need a suitable motor, suitable control electronics (which aren't trivial) and something resembling a power supply, which means batteries.  And that's where you'll stop, because no matter how much you rail against the Establishment, and how hard you wish, the batteries that'll give you anything resembling satisfactory performance and range in an electric road vehicle simply do not exist.  Nobody's hiding anything: storage batteries are a difficult technology, and you're used to fast developments in communications and computers.  Chemistry and materials science simply doesn't go that fast.  For a comparison, look at the improvements that have been made in road paving or roofing materials or house paint over the years.  Notice any?  And there aren't any anti-paving cartels--it's just that we're doing the best we have with the available materials.  That's the way it is with battery technology.  

So take your protest sign somewhere else.  Everyone is doing the best they can right now.  Oh: Tesla's cars may or may not be available.  Note that there is a fifteen-month waiting period for them.  A lot can happen between now and then, and I do wonder if the cars are actually something resembling vaporware.

Answer 2

The only technology that has infrastructure problems is Hydrogen.

The clear problem for Electric Vehicles is batteries. The Tesla strapped over 6,000 batteries togethers, which doesn't sound safe or reliable to me.

The lowest estimated cost I've seen for a battery that will run an EV at anything close to internal combustion convenience is over $10,000.

There's not many that will take a $10k hit yet. At $4/gallon the average driver (and electric rate) would save a bit over $2,000/yr.

The first big hope I have for a car is the Chevy Volt. It's a pure EV, with a generator on board. The batteries are in place that will last 10 yrs without dropping the range significantly.

A123/continental and CPI/LG are the two battery producers that are testing packs. The first mule, an existing Monte Carlo fitted with all the electronic equipment and batteries, has already met all the goals they had for the car.

The big advantage to the Volt is that there's no loss of convenience whatsover. You can drive it just like you drove every other car you've owned. The only real difference will be that, if you want, you can plug in the car at night and then drive for a 1/4 of the cost at current prices.

Answer 3

The technology is There buddy but they wont invest because of their bottom line. In order for us to change we need a new car company with applied technology that offers cheaper cars that are gas free. Either hho hydrogen air compression or electric. This new monopoly will force the current automotive industry to shape up or ship out!

Answer 4

Even if U are good the batteries will not supply the range we need. Also as the battery ages the range will decrease further.The recharge time is long for a short time of power.

Answer 5

Yes, it's a pipe dream.  The Caravan is probably awfully big for electric conversion.  And don't forget, Ed Begley's car probably has to use only surface streets.  I plan to save my money and wait for 2 to 3 years and there will be a lot of new choices on the market, possibly some pure electric and not $90,000.

Answer 6

Yes convertor kits exist, plan on spending abut $6,000+ for the kit.

Answer 7

They say “the nation’s infrastructure can’t support their new technology.”

Don't buy into that leftist c**p.  Find out who "They" are and when they said that.  I bet you can't.

Right now, nothing can compare to cheap (less than $5/Gal) gas on a grand scale.  Bio deisel can compete on a small scale.  

When it makes sense economically, alternative fuel will come into the market in a big and fast way.  

"They" don't build them yet, because "they" know they won't sell enough.