Electric cars: solutions to the ‘refueling’ dilemma?
One of the main ‘problems’ or turn-offs about owning an electric car for many consumers is their range of distance. Most car drivers are used to a single fill-up at the pump lasting several days, and since gas or petrol stations are pretty much everywhere – at least in highly populated, developed areas – refueling standard, fossil fuel-powered cars is generally quick and easy. Electric cars have a reputation for being decidedly less convenient, which is not entirely unjustified, as recharging takes longer than filling up with gas/petrol and a charge doesn’t provide as much mileage as a fill-up – about one third the distance at best. Some of this inconvenience is offset by plug-in electric and hybrid technology, which allows drivers to charge their cars at home or from any available, appropriate electric power source. Plug-in technology is especially handy for city drivers and commuters as it allows them to charge their electric cars overnight and without visits to fuel or charging stations.
Renault Fluence concept car (photo copyright LSDSL)
In the next couple of years mid-priced, plug-in electric cars, like the Nissan LEAF and Volvo C30 Electric will have ranges of around 150-160 km or 90-100 miles on a single charge. Less expensive and more compact, Indian electric carmaker REVA has recently unveiled its NXR and NXG vehicles. The NXR has a similar range, albeit a lower top speed of 65 mph or 104 km/h when compared to the LEAF’s 90 mph or 145 km/h and the C30’s 80 mph or 130 km/h. A normal full charge of a REVA NXR is 8 hours (or 90 minutes if you have a rapid charger). A ‘quick charge’ of 15 minutes with the rapid charger will get you 40 km or 25 miles in a pinch. Read more about REVA’s NXR and NXG models with additional specifics on worldcarfans.com.
Battery Swap
Another important key towards the success and increased convenience of the electric car is the development of infrastructures that better facilitate their use. Palo Alto, California-based company Better Place is leading this area of technology with their innovative battery swap system. 100,000 Renault electric cars featuring Better Place’s battery swap technology have already been ordered for Israel and Denmark’s markets. Japan will launch the world’s first battery swap station in Tokyo’s Roppongi district in January, where the system will be tried out on taxis. Networks of battery swap stations are also planned for California, Hawaii and Australia.
CNN interview with Better Place founder Shai Agassi: Making electric cars smarter
Battery Swap Station for Electric Cars
By Graham Land
Additional resources:
Wired – Better Place Unveils an Electric Car Battery Swap Station
Videos from Better Place
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Tags: battery swap, better place, charge, electric car, plug-in, renewa, REVA
Electric cars are useful in small doses, and can be beneficial for the environment. However, they cannot, and should not, be used to replace cars on the mass scale. We need more efficient long distance transportation systems for cargo and passengers, such as electrified rail.
http://www.selfdestructivebastards.com/2009/10/electric-cars-in-small-doses.html