Comments on: The Rallying Cry for Electric Fuel

By: custom essay

custom essay — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:55:36 +0000

I do not believe that it can work in fact

By: cj

cj — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 04:52:39 +0000

The electricity needed to charge all of these batteries will have to come from somewhere. Most power grids can barely keep up at their current usage levels. Are we to construct more polluting coal or gas fired power plants? Shall we dot the country with nuclear power plants for which we still don’t have long term safe storage for the waste? Wind power works only in geographically windy areas. Solar power only works when the sun shines. Electricity generated from tides and waves can only be transmitted so far from the coast. Obviously, a well thought out multifaceted power infrastructure must be online before plug-in vehicles can hope to become a commonplace practical reality.

By: Paul Beerkens

Paul Beerkens — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:41:19 +0000

Hydrogen is an interesting technology but I am not aware of any efficient way of creating the hydrogen at this point in time. Although it is good to continue doing research in this technology it is very dangerous to hold up the roll out of electrical vehicles because one day there might be a efficient hydrogen production process. It is a disruption tactic that has been used for the last 10 years to divert the attention of solutions that are ready to be rolled out.

By: brocknanson

brocknanson — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 01:02:29 +0000

Seems like everyone is stuck on the idea of batteries. Fuel cell technology may be where we end up. Fill the cell with hydrogen at the local 'gas station' and carry on. Capacitors, batteries... much of the hybrid regenerative technology would be applicable. And certainly, the CVT and motor technology in the hybrids would carry over.

Interesting days ahead, I'm sure.

By: Fraw

Fraw — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 00:37:17 +0000

I heard in an acura blog that Pratt puts that number at about 70 percent of U.S. cars with the energy thay can generate and deliver today. How can we restructure federal funding for road projects?

By: Bryce

Bryce — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:57:02 +0000

I suppose my economics professor really scammed me in college then…..rofl.

By: Phill

Phill — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:40:31 +0000

Bryce, Your to gullible. You should try reinventing the battery

By: Bryce

Bryce — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 18:05:32 +0000

the battery is the pricey thing. It is not just the price of the battery itself, but also the cost of R&D factored in so the battery company can recoup cost. Same goes for GM, their R&D time scale was so short, that it brought up the cost. THe first model year or two will have break even prices to hopefully recoup this, and as economies of scale get ramped up, the price is purported to come down. Coupled with tax credits, this thing shouldn’t be too bad. : ) We will see though.

By: Need2Change

Need2Change — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:55:53 +0000

Why is the Chevy Volt predicted to cost so much?

Seems like GM could take a $11K (retail) Aveo, replace the engine and radiator with an electric motor and small extender engine for about the same price. Then add a $10,000 battery, and we have a $21K car. Even if the battery costs $15K, we have a $26K car.

Is the battery going to cost more than $15K?

By: Phil

Phil — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:22:56 +0000

Quick charging platforms (probably usually located at gas stations) and ALTI batteries (if they can get the price down) would solve many of the problems and could result in a very desirable car. Until then, the promise of the Volt looks like the best immediate alternative … except for price.