An electric car with a range of 93 miles, using Lithium-ion batteries and having a top speed of 90 mph has been announced by Motors. The car, which is scheduled for sale in 2010, is driven by two motors on the rear wheels and will cost under $19,000. Plans for sales overseas have not been decided.
Previous electric cars did not receive much popularity. This one has considerably more range than former models, thanks to its Lithium-ion batteries which are just becoming available in mass production. They are lighter and can store more energy per unit weight than NiMh batteries that are commonly used in hybrids. With high prices of gasoline, a car like this makes sense for people that commute a relatively short distance or need a car that is primarily used to run around town. It can be charged overnight by simply plugging it into an outlet at home at considerable savings over a gas powered car.
Read the full story "Mitsubishi unveils electric car for 2010", MSNBC
Technocrati tag: electric cars
A new electric vehicle for under $20,000 sounds great. I am still convinced that battery techs are going to be a better bet than hydrogen (with fuel cells operating at only around 45% efficiency that's not a forumla for efficiency OR success). However, I would hope to see advances in EVs and batteries implemented in Gas-Optional Hybrid EVs or GO-HEVs rather than electric-only vehicles. GO-HEVs which are like the standard hybrids now on the road except they are equiped with larger battery storage capacity, can be pluged in to charge and can run in electric only mode combine the advantages of EVs without the limited ranges that hamper the acceptence of straight EVs. Noone wants to buy a seperate car for commuting and another one for going to visit grandma or going to your favorite national park (even though this would be the most efficent set-up, fuel consumption wise). GO-HEVs allow you to operate most of the time (i.e. your daily commutes) in electric only mode while being able to fill up at the gas station if you need the extra range. Anyway, good news from Mitsubishi but lets keep looking out for GO-HEV advances.
Cheers,
JesseJenkins aka WattHead (watthead.blogspot.com)
Posted by: JesseJenkins | August 16, 2005 at 01:20 AM
Has anyone considered using a DC Electric Motor inline on the rear driveshaft of a 4 wheel drive vehicle. I would call it a helper motor. Feasable?
Posted by: Stuart Gustafson | May 30, 2007 at 11:36 AM
PHEV'S, BEV'S, and now GO-HEV'S. Geez, it's a regular alphabet soup...
Posted by: averagejoe | May 30, 2007 at 05:41 PM
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Posted by: Invertir en oro | May 17, 2011 at 02:48 PM