We have electric forklifts but no electric cars. Why?

Question

I work at a factory and we have electric forklifts that we push to the limit every minute at work and they last for a 12 hours before they need to be recharged. If a forklift can last that long lifting things that are hundreds of pounds then why cant we get a car to last longer than 40 miles?

Answer 1

With the new tec it is possible but so expensive. in Austria they have a boat that can go as fast as the latest hi speed boats running  on battrey up to 100 kmh or more and can cruise the full lake without a charge, had it developed since a permit for a diesel or petrol engine costs thousands in some of the lakes here but a electric is free from the permit, untill they see the speed this new boat can reach! then they will have to think  again. it is all in the new gel batteries that can operate till near discharged while normal can only discharge safely till just below 80%, then have problems recharging constantly

Answer 2

Good question.  

Those forklifts are expensive and don't go real fast.  In an electric car the battery must be quite light.  Right now we're having little luck making much of anything that's vastly better than the stack of 6V deep-discharge lead-acid cells in your forklifts.  

The Tesla, unfortunately, seems to fall firmly into the vaporware category: they're collecting money for them, but not actually delivering any for fifteen months, which means that the company could be gone by then.  

The Atlantic Magazine has a good article on the progress of the Chevrolet Volt this month.  It's not going all that well: the problem, as always, lies in the batteries.

Answer 3

Because over those 12 hours, you're driving the electric forklift so slow that you probably don't even travel 40 miles over that time.

However, we do have several electric cars that can go over 40 miles per charge.  For example, the Tesla Roadster (220 miles)  and the Green Vehicles Triac (100 miles).

Answer 4

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 5

As Raysor pointed out, there was a problem of lithium-ion battery packs overheating and burning.  Altair Nanotechnologies had that problem with the batteries they supplied to the Phoenix Motors' electric pickup trucks.  But their 2nd generation battery packs solved that problem and now they feel they can get 160 miles on a charge.

Even better it seems is the "Electrical energy Storage Unit, or EESU from a privately held company, EEStor, Inc.  It is a combination lithium-ion battery and a ultracapacitor that has the best of both types of storage systems.  It is claimed that this new advance allows for a specific energy of about 280 watts per kilogram -- more than double that of the most advanced lithium-ion technology and ten times that of lead-acid batteries.  This could translate into an electric vehicle capable of traveling up to 500 miles on a 5 minute charge.  EEStor plans to roll out the first production units later this year and Zenn Motor Co. (www.zenncars.com) hopes to have cars utilizing the technology on the road by the fall of 2009.  Lockheed-Martin is also using the technology in military applications.

Answer 6

A forklift stays near the recharger and only travels at a few miles an hour. The problem with electric cars is getting a battery that will last a ling tiem between charges. Lithium Ion is the way forward but I don't think this has been perfected for large batteries for cars. They have a habit of catching fire if overcharged. You still have to produce electricity to charge the battery as a battery is just a storage system. You may remember milk floats in fact they still are around. The whole of the back underneath is filled with lead-acid batteries, admitedly old technology, but remember a battery "cell" only produces 12v. Work out how many volts you would need for the equivelent of say 100 hp. You also run into problems of amperage (I think) . You can use much thicker wire but that adds more weight. No petrol and diesel are far better.

Answer 7

We do have electric cars that go over 40 miles on one charge.  Why do you think we don't?

Answer 8

My company prolly has the same ones yours does. Crown makes good forktrucks.

The problem is the batteries alone are upwards of 3000 dollars. Its like 75 cents a pound. lol

Research has been done to improve the batteries we have, but cost is kind of rediculous.

Like the dam hybrids. No sense to it if the common american cannot afford these technologies.