Chapter

Chapter

Electric cars

1912 Detroit Electric car ad

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Detroit_Eletric_ad.jpg]

Electric cars can solve the Virgin Earth Challenge, but not all the nations are able to erogate all the needed electricity.

«A new study for the Department of Energy finds that "off-peak" electricity production and transmission capacity could fuel 84 percent of the country's 220 million vehicles if they were plug-in hybrid electrics. (...) "This is the first review of what the impacts would be of very high market penetrations of PHEVs, said Eric Lightner, of DOE's Office of Electric Delivery and Energy Reliability. "It's important to have this baseline knowledge as consumers are looking for more efficient vehicles, automakers are evaluating the market for PHEVs and battery manufacturers are working to improve battery life and performance." Current batteries for these cars can easily store the energy for driving the national average commute - about 33 miles round trip a day, so the study presumes that drivers would charge up overnight when demand for electricity is much lower. (...) Since more rain and snow can't be ordered, it's difficult to increase electricity production from the hydroelectric plants. "We were very conservative in looking at the idle capacity of power generation assets," said PNNL scientist Michael Kintner-Meyer. "The estimates didn't include hydro, renewables or nuclear plants. It also didn't include plants designed to meet peak demand because they don't operate continuously. We still found that across the country 84 percent of the additional electricity demand created by PHEVs could be met by idle generation capacity."

"Since gasoline consumption accounts for 73 percent of imported oil, it is intriguing to think of the trade and national security benefits if our vehicles switched from oil to electrons," added PNNL energy researcher Rob Pratt. "Plus, since the utilities would be selling more electricity without having to build more plants or power lines, electricity prices could go down for everyone." Lightner noted that "the study suggests the idle capacity of the electric power grid is an underutilized national asset that could be tapped to vastly reduce our dependence on foreign oil." The study also looked at the impact on the environment of an all-out move to PHEVs. The added electricity would come from a combination of coal-fired and natural gas-fired plants. Even with today's power plants emitting greenhouse gases, the overall levels would be reduced because the entire process of moving a car one mile is more efficient using electricity than producing gasoline and burning it in a car's engine.

(...) Urban air quality would actually improve since the pollutants are emitted from power plants that are generally located outside cities. (...) "The potential for lowering greenhouse gases further is quite substantial because it is far less expensive to capture emissions at the smokestack than the tailpipe. Vehicles are one of the most intractable problems facing policymakers seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," said Pratt. (...) In the long run, according to the report, the steady demand for electricity is likely to result in investments in much cleaner power plants, even if coal remains the dominant fuel for our electricity production.

"With cars charging overnight, the utilities would get a new market for their product. PHEVs would increase residential consumption of electricity by about 30 - 40 percent. (...) Finally, the study looked at the economic impact on consumers. Since, PHEVs are expected to cost about $6,000 to $10,000 more than existing vehicles - mostly due to the cost of batteries -- researchers evaluated how long it might take owners to break even on fuel costs. Depending on the price of gas and the cost of electricity, estimates range from five to eight years - about the current lifespan of a battery. Pratt notes that utilities could offer a lower price per kilowatt hour on off-peak power, making PHEVs even more attractive to consumers.

Adding "smart grid" communications technology to ensure the vehicles only charge during off-peak periods and to provide immediate, remote disconnect of chargers in event of problems in the power grid would make them attractive to utilities.»

[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061211221149.htm]

So the best solution in many nations is an hybrid car use like a Toyota or like the H₂CAR with a little traditional fuel co-engine. However it is intriguing to seee that in every case products from universities are absolutely unuseful in the real world.

MIT City Car. Soon in every Wal Mart... However a nerd could be ashamed of using one of them in many cities of the world...

Universities must build cars for the real world, like a Toyota, or a BMW. These projects are waste of money because we know that for the people's mind a car is "another shape". So if MIT is interested in the electric MARKET, I council the Virgin Earth Challenge comitate to think about sending money to MIT before of a teacher of "MARKETing".

If we think using the marketing methods, we can see for example that founding an electric racecar in Formula1 or in NASCAR can be a better solution than founding MIT. Electric racecars are available since 1899 and before.

(left) Picture of Camille Jenatzy and his wife riding the electric vehicle Jamais Contente, which set his third and final land speed record on April 29 1899, reaching 105.88 km/h (65.79 mph). (right) A female student of Japan's Keio University displays the world's fastest electric sedan Eliica which marked in March 13-14 2004 a top speed of 370 kilometres per hour (230 miles) on Italy's Nardo High Speed Track with its eight in-wheel electric motors on the sedan body (photo by Yoshikazu Tsuno).

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Jamais_contente_parade.jpg]

[http://www.spacedaily.com/news/car-tech-05u.html]

(left) High performance X1 electric race car humiliates Ferrari and Porche both off the line and in a 1/4 mile. All with a 150 mile range, and recharge time of 4.5 hours. Jean Todt (left in the photo), Ferrari CEO: “Impressive!”.

(right) Kenny Shepherd, NASCAR driver: "absolutely amazing… the acceleration is the biggest part that’s so amazing – it really, really pushes you back in the seat. I’ve driven super-modifieds out here at 150,160 mph – stock cars – and this thing is comparable…”

[http://peswiki.com/index.php/Directory:Ian_Wright's_X1]

[http://wrightspeed.com/impressions.html]

A modified X1 for the Formula1 or the NASCAR could be the optimum for a true electric cars marketing in the real world, inducing people to buy hybrid or electric cars.

The Tesla Roadster produces one-tenth of the pollution and is six times as efficient as the best sports car. (photo: Tesla Motors Inc.)

On market and planned hybrid cars since 1907 are:

Early designs

1907 AL (French car)

1960s

1969 General Motors XP-883

1970s

1972 Towns Microdot

1990s

1989 Audi 100 Duo

1994 Audi 80 Duo

1996 AC Propulsion tzero (primarily electric vehicle; 80 mile PbA, 300 mile Li-ion(2003) EV-mode)

1997 Toyota Prius (first commercially mass-produced and marketed hybrid automobile) Japanese market only

1997 Audi A4 Duo (Audi became the first manufacturer in Europe to mass produce a hybrid vehicle. Their hybrid vehicle is powered by a 66 kW 1.9-litre TDI-Engine and a 21 kW electric motor)

1999 Honda Insight 2000 model

2000s

2000 Toyota Estima hybrid (Japanese market only)

2000 Toyota Prius US market

2002? Mazda Demio e-4WD (Japanese market only, used for traction assistance)

2002 New Flyer DE60LF (diesel-electric hybrid articulated bus)

2002 Dyna Diesel Hybrid (Japan only, Diesel Hybrid)

2002 Honda Civic Hybrid 2003 model

2003

2003 Renault Kangoo (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle)

2003 Suzuki Twin

2003 Toyota Alphard Hybrid

2003 Toyota Prius (5 seat midsize) 2004 model year, second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive

2004

Honda Accord Hybrid 2005 model

Ford Escape Hybrid 2005 model (released in late summer 2004)

2005

Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra Hybrid 2006 model, Mild hybrid

Honda Civic Hybrid 2006 model, second generation

Lexus RX 400h 2006 model year, second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive

Mercury Mariner hybrid

Toyota Kluger/Highlander Hybrid 2006 model

2006

Lexus GS 450h 2007 model, second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive

Saturn VUE Green Line 2007 model, Mild hybrid

Toyota Camry Hybrid 2007 model, second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive

Toyota Estima/Previa hybrid minivan, second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive (Japanese market only)

2007

Nissan Altima Hybrid (limited sales)

Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid (BAS) 2008 model, Mild hybrid

Planned

2007

This section is sorted by expected sale date:

Lexus LS600hL 2008 model Luxury car, expected to go on sale April 2007

BMW 1-Series Luxury compact car, first in the world with standard mild hybrid technology, Auto Start Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, electric power steering, electric water pump[1][2]

Mazda Tribute hybrid, 2008 model, expected to go on sale July 2007

Chevrolet Tahoe (AHS II) (SUV, RWD/AWD) 2008 model, expected to go on sale Fall 2007

GMC Yukon Hybrid (AHS II) (SUV, RWD/AWD) 2008 model, expected to go on sale Fall 2007

Dodge Durango (AHS II) (SUV) 2008 model, expected to go on sale Fall 2007

Toyota Kluger/Highlander Hybrid 2008 model, second generation Hybrid Synergy Drive, will go on sale September 2007[3]

2008

Audi Q7 2009 model

Cadillac Escalade (AHS II) 2009 model

Chevrolet Equinox (SUV)

Chevrolet Malibu (midsize car) 2009 model, Mild hybrid

Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid (AHS II) (fullsize pickup) 2009 model

Ford Fusion Hybrid (midsize car) 2009 model

GMC Sierra Hybrid (AHS II) (fullsize pickup) 2009 model

Lexus RX400h 2009 model refresh

Mercury Milan Hybrid (midsize car)

Saturn VUE Green Line (AHS II) (SUV, FWD) 2009 model, 45% improvement over Mild hybrid version according to GM[4]

Toyota Sienna (minivan) 2009 model

Toyota Prius (5 seat midsize) 2009 model year, third generation Hybrid Synergy Drive (weight and cost reduced by 50%), Lithium-ion batteries[5]

VentureOne Three wheeled vehicle

Volvo C30 2009 model, diesel electric hybrid

2009

Honda Unnamed next-generation compact hybrid, all-new, priced lower than Honda Civic Hybrid[6][7]

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Mild hybrid[8][9]

Porsche Cayenne[10]

Saturn VUE Green Line (AHS II) (SUV, FWD, 2010 model, PLUG-IN capable, Lithium-Ion batteries)

Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid

2010

GM Volt production version [11]

Nissan's original hybrid vehicle is targeted for launch in 2010.[12]

PSA Peugeot Citroën will market hybrid HDi vehicles from 2010.[13]

2011

Toyota Camry Hybrid 2012 model, third generation Hybrid Synergy Drive[14]

Buses

2006

IC Corporation Hybrid School Bus

Trucks

1993 Hino Model Unknown, medium duty, for sale in Japan only. First generation

2003 Hino Ranger Hybrid, light duty, for sale in Japan only. Fourth generation

2004 Hino Dutro Hybrid, light duty, for sale in Japan only. Fourth generation

2006 Canter Eco Hybrid made by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck & Bus Corporation, for sale in Japan only.

Unknown date

In production

Gillig Hybrid (diesel-electric hybrid buses)

New Flyer DE30LF/DE35LF/DE40LF (diesel-electric hybrid buses)

New Flyer GE40LF (gasoline-electric hybrid bus)

North American Bus Industries 60-BRT Hybrid

Orion VI Hybrid

Orion VII Hybrid

Toyota Sienna

Whispering Wheel Buss

Aptera hybrid car Prototype planned for April 2006

Peugeot 307 CC Hybride HDi.

Toyota Crown (Japan only, Mild hybrid)

Planned

BMW Hydrogen 7

Daihatsu Hijet Cargo Hybrid a commercial mini car (659 cc) (in Japan, not yet in production)

Honda Fit hybrid, 2008 model using the Insight's drivetrain, replaced with other model

Hyundai Accent Unknown date of production

Kia Rio Originally for 2007, now delayed along with Hyundai Accent hybrid (concept model was shown at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show)

Lexus LF-S 2009

Opel Astra Diesel Hybrid

Porsche Panamera

Proton Gen-2 EVE Hybrid (concept model was shown at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show)

Saab planning hybrid based on GM system[15]

Toyota Corolla

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hybrid_vehicles]

All these hybrid cars need only a marketing, and founding a Formula1 or NASCAR team with an electric car like the X1 can solve the Virgin Earth Challenge in few years. All these car companies can partecipate at the team's founding with few money per company (probably less than 700,000 US$ per year).