What are the potential dangers of ELECTRIC cars (if any)?

Question

What are the potential dangers of ELECTRIC cars (if any)?

Answer 1

There have been quite a few concerns about electric cars aired in the media. These are largely unfounded; invented by unethical reporters to raise ratings. One recent story claims that there are dangerous electro-magnetic fields associated with hybrid and electric cars. In reality, these fields are found around any electric device. The electrical components of the cars are shielded against EMFs to protect the passengers. Because of this, hybrid and electric cars have lower EMF levels than many conventional vehicles. A Prius, for example, may produce a field as high as 80 mG; an electric can opener may have as much as 1500 mG at a distance of 6".

Other claims state that the high voltage can be a danger to rescue personnel in an accident. The hybrids and electrics are designed to disconnect power immediately in the event of an accident. Additionally, rescue personnel are now routinely trained in dealing with any potential risk. Rescue personnel must already be trained in special hazards associated with magnesium, oil, gas and electrical systems of conventional cars; hybrid and electric specifications have now been added to that training.

Some have complained that the hybrids and electrics are too quiet- that people cannot hear them coming and that they pose a danger to the blind and the inattentive. Again, it is true that they are quiet. As a driver, you must endeavor not to run over pedestrians, no matter how stupidly they behave. Someone who does not look before darting into the street is as likely to be hit by any car driving by. Some have suggested that hybrids and electrics be equipped with noise makers to keep them from being quiet. This, to me, is like insisting that all conventional cars be painted in fluorescent colors and equipped with strobe lights to help deaf people see them better because plain cars are harder to see.

There will be continued attacks on electric and hybrids- they are a popular item and any scandal involving them would be a sure ratings-getter. Since there are no real scandals, they have to make them up.

Answer 2

one of the main issues so far has been batteries. To create a "bank" of power big enough to power the car for any length of time, quite a few batteries are needed and for some time (since 70's?) then lead acid were the best performers just not safe in a crash.

Did you see the recent 5th gear report into objects in your car in a crash. not pretty.

However newerbatteries are more solid and less toxic and so this hurdle is being overcome.

One other potential danger is for pedestrians - they are so quiet people do not hear them coming and get knocked down apparently.

Answer 3

Batteries are toxic

Sources of electricity needed to charge batteries do not exist if we were to change over en masse to electric.

No one wants a nuclear power plant in their back yard for some reason. Can you imagine.

Answer 4

Okay, here are a few facts.

- Car batteries are ALREADY nearly 100% recycled, because there are a couple bucks worth of lead in them.   That means they don't become toxic waste.  Electric car batteries will have $50 or more of metal in them.  They'll also weigh several hundred pounds so they'll mainly be changed at shops.

- Electric cars won't overload the power grid, because they will mainly charge at night when the power grid is underused.  Two government studies have confirmed this.

http://www.pnl.gov/energy/eed/etd/pdfs/p...

http://ornl.gov/info/press_releases/get_...

- Electric shock is not a problem.  An electric car has a high voltage electrical system -- so does a diesel locomotive.  In both cases, the high voltage system is totally isolated from the frame, but in an accident could connect power to the frame.  Since 1940, locomotives have solved that problem with a ground fault detector.  It's a very easy and cheap solution - your bathroom and kitchen have them, they cost about $10.

- Too-quiet cars are indeed a problem for the blind.  That's easily fixed with a speaker which simulates engine noise.

Answer 5

don't forget about the shock potential in a car crash or otherwise.  Try sticking a wrench between the terminals of just one car battery and see what happens.  I've destroyed a couple of tools this way and even blown up a battery.  Obviously this is a risk with all cars, but an electric car holds many more batteries.  Although, properly designed electric cars shouldn't be much more of a hazard than a gasoline powered car in this arena.

Much of the hazards of an electric car are the same as a gasoline powered... maybe just a little different, a friends mother did roll over her sleeping cat with her silent running Prius while backing out of the garage.