What happened to development of electric car?

Question

What happened to development of electric car?

Answer 1

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 2

Battery tech was not developed enough to make them practical.

Answer 3

In the last 100 years batteries have not really improved much. But gasoline and diesel engines have seen steady improvements in efficiency, power, and reliability, so that today it is almost impossible to make a battery powered  electric car that can keep up with a gasoline car. The electric car will either go fast but not very far, or far but you have to go REALLY slow.

Cell phones and laptop computers have the same problem, so billions of dollars have been spent on battery development recently, and the new Tesla electric car actually uses a bunch of laptop batteries as its power source. But they are expensive, making the car cost $100,000.

Answer 4

watch "Who Killed The Electric Car"

Answer 5

there are company's working feverishly on them but battery technology is not good enough to make them practicable yet. until a battery is invented that will move a car 300 miles and recharge very fast (in minutes not hours) , the purely electric car is many (if at all) years away in development. this is a technology problem not a political or business one

Answer 6

It was delayed when GM scrapped the EV1, but electric cars are making a big comeback.  In fact, EVs are going to be the mode of transportation of the future.

The first affordable highway speed EV is coming out in July:

http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/gr...

And many more EVs and plug-in hybrids are coming out in the next few years:

http://greenhome.huddler.com/products/ca...

Answer 7

They are still working on  electric vehiclea.

Here is the electric car chevy is working on- http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/

Here is telsa motors, the maker of the 100% electricd sports car- http://www.teslamotors.com/

Their Current development in that field is the hybrid which has both a gas and electric motor.  You can switch between the two or if you only wantt electric, gas will kick in when the battery dies.

Most car companies make a hybrid.



Chevy tahoe hybrid,

GMC yukon hybrid, Dodge durango(fall 2008) hybrid,

Chrysler Aspen(fall 2008) hybrid, Toyta Camry hybrid, Toyota highlander hybrid,

Cadilac Escalade hybrid, Ford escape hybrid, and Many more!!

I hope this helps you out!

Chris

Answer 8

The oil companies bought the patents and won't release the technology

Answer 9

Electric only cars are still being developed.

Complain about difficulty getting standard golf buggy registered for use as your vehicle for short drives on roads around home ;-)  

Electric only cars will be practicable when we know recharge facilities exist within range; Eg every 100/200km, as no one likes running out of fuel whether is petrol, diesel, LPG, or battery charge :-)  

There has not been sufficient incentive/motivation for the car manufacturers to produce hybrid /electric cars or trucks.

There has not been sufficient incentive/motivation for the car users to purchase them.

Another chicken or egg argument.

Now rising oil prices creating a greater interest in more economical vehicles, so more hybrid and electric cars will be sort.

Government/Legislature can do more to encourage development, so reduce the actual cost consumers will need pay to obtain hybrid vehicles, such as short term tax benefits for people to move to hybrid low oil usage vehicles.

Government worries at losing tax revenue from you using lower fuel consumption.



Hybrid range is same as conventional,  electric only may be too short. Still 300km is to far to drive safely (300m worse) without taking reasonable break to lessen driver fatigue and so reduce road accidents.  

Recharge facilities at existing fuel/gas stations will encourage drivers recharge their vehicle whilst taking their breaks more often.  

Parking meters can be converted to recharge meters, so when drivers park (eg half an hour) to go shopping they can recharge at same time ;-)    

May even earn extra money for parking place service providers ;-)

Is not cars were too small for family trips and errands, rather was people became used to big cars.  Many people around the world, perhaps majority, find small cars are fine.  

Who benefited from people buying bigger cars ?

Who benefits when people buy smaller cars ?-)