electric, hybrid, and solar powered cars

Got all the info i need now :) Now it would be good to hear some of your opinions concerning future cars/fuel.

Thank you again :)

AlexT2889 said:

Why not include Deisel? it's just as good as a hybrid car. Why people ignore this important engine is beyond me...

Well Diesel aint really that friendly to the environment as electric powered cars and solar powered cars. But it is more friendly than gasolin/Benzin...

or am i wrong?

My main opinion on electric cars is that the while the move towards them may be good overall, the companies involved in them are just completely lying through their teeth about the cost of electricity to power them at the moment.

They ALL seem to think that electricity is free, by quoting rediculous MPG ratings (One claims 240MPG!) then not figuring in the cost to plug it in every night. Saying we'll be able to plug in at work for free. (yeah...)

And at a time when coal fired electric plants are EXPLODING to feed our already out of control draw on the power grid, how are plug-in electrics going to tie in with that?

Also the common lies about the cost of power, when it is even mentioned, such as quoting rediculously low 3 or 5 cent per kw/hr rates.

There may be SOME places with nearly free electricity, but I know that if I started plugging in a car at night where I live, I'd be paying 32 cents per kw/hr to charge it which ends up being almost the same cost as a $3.50 gallon of gass for the milage it'll get me. If your on a tiered power system, adding an electric car will put the cost at the top of the tier, not at the bottom. So quoting the bottom tier price is compeltely bogus. (course that'll seem cheap when Gas it $10 a gallon in another 5-10 years)

I'm not against electric cars at all, but just for once i'd like to see an honest and complete investigation into the TRUE cost to power them and the efect of the manufacturing and disposal of the battery systems.

If we ever get commercial fusion going, or $1 a watt 75% solar panels, then we can power the entire transportation system on electricity. But till then, we still have a /serious/ lack of power to drive them.

fseal said:

They ALL seem to think that electricity is free, by quoting rediculous MPG ratings (One claims 240MPG!) then not figuring in the cost to plug it in every night. Saying we'll be able to plug in at work for free. (yeah...)

Electricity doesn't come in gallons last time I checked...

Generator said:

fseal said:

They ALL seem to think that electricity is free, by quoting rediculous MPG ratings (One claims 240MPG!) then not figuring in the cost to plug it in every night. Saying we'll be able to plug in at work for free. (yeah...)

Electricity doesn't come in gallons last time I checked...

I am shocked at your reply.

Hmm, this is an interesting subject indeed and I am sure we are going to have a lively discussion. Here are my 5 cents worth on the different options:

1. Diesel - for the time being this is the most economical option. The modern turbo diesel coupled with a filter system is the cleanest and most economical propulsion system at this moment. Many cars being offered in Europe can do 60 to 80 MpG and even big cars like some Mercedes are in the 40MpG range. It would also be ideal for pick-ups because of the enormous torque it can produce.
2. Hybrid - the hybrids have some success in the US. It responds to the particular US environment. The US has too few refineries that are able to produce diesel fuel that meet the requirements for the modern turbo diesel (low sulfur and water content). Only the most rugged engines like the very basic VW turbo diesel can deal with the US fuel.
The main disadvantage of the hybrid is the very complex technology and the extra weight (weight being detrimental for good gas milage). And despite all the technical efforts, it can hardly match the turbo diesel's performance.
3. Hydrogen fuel cells - this technology is in the making. There are a few test vehicles that are available from various companies, but mass production is probably still 10 years away. The problem with hydrogen is that you need a lot of energy to produce it and a completely new infrastructure.
4. Electric only - the problem here are the batteries. A range of 50 to 100 miles will not be accepted by the market, neither will be the price of a battery set for $20.000. This technology also only makes sense once we are able to produce a sufficient amount of electricity from natural resources such as solar, thermal, etc.

My favorite for the time being is the Chevy Volt - an electric car with an on-board power plant. This power plant can be gas, diesel or hydrogen. The batteries need not be too big (and heavy) because they can be recharged at any time during the driving or at rest.
This approach provides range and flexibility as to the fuel and the source for the power production. Unfortunately I understand that it will be quite pricey when it comes out next year (more than 40 K$). That may kill a good idea.