Cars That Think

MARCH 11, 2023

Photo-illustration: Max-o-matic; photo source: M&N/Alamy Some operators of early direct-current power plants at the turn of the 20th century solved the problem of uneven power output from their generators by employing large banks of rechargeable lead-acid batteries, which served as a kind of buffer to balance the flow of electrons.

Grid 137

Grid Power Powered Vehicles 137

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

APRIL 16, 2009

The eminent success of electric vehicles depends on four factors: good battery systems, customer confidence, reasonable costs and, perhaps most importantly, customer convenience. We were successful with this before – remember the EV1?) Electricity costs are relatively inexpensive.

Charging 30

Charging Batteries Battery Nickel Metal Hydride 30

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

APRIL 16, 2009

If we wanted to recharge this from 110V domestic service we would need to pull 10,800,000/110 = 96,000 amps. When GM installed chargers for the EV1 they used a 50amp 220V circuit that could pump over 6KW into the batteries. A vehicle with a 200 mile range like the Tesla Roadster would easily be able to do the trip with one recharge.

Electric Vehicles 28

Electric Vehicles Charging Las Vegas Vehicles 28

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

APRIL 16, 2009

It is simply the cost of doing business. "On some products, the costs, particularly in advanced technologies, are high," he said in a lengthy interview with Automotive News (free subscription required). The car is expected to cost around $40,000. "Even the first DVD player cost many times more than it does today."

Volt 41

Volt GM Chevrolet EV1 41