Electric vehicle

“Improving” Electric Cars–is it Fair?

Do you think it is fair? The government feels that requiring a minimum standard of noise on electric hybrid automobiles is essential to ensure the safety of all pedestrians where pedestrians and vehicles come in close proximity with one another?

Some in favor of “less government” feel they can add this to the list of government interference with personal owner’s responsibility. Although the cars are very quiet (their engines are silent in comparison with those of gasoline-powered cars), some express the strong opinion that it is the driver’s duty to ensure they are alert and aware of what is around them. This means eliminating the use of cell phones and other distractions. Drivers need to make their safety and the safety of others there top priority.

Others though, feel that a law will help ensure the sfaety of all for those moments when either driver or pedestrian are not fully aware of one another. For example, a blind mother carrying a child in a carrier will not pick up on the visual cues of seeing the car. She can not assume that the drivers will always be aware of her. If the electric car has a minimum sound standard, she will be able to utilize the noise to make personal judgement-calls to keep her and her child safe.

Still others agree that the “quiet” electric cars pose a challenge for pedestrians, but feel that added “noise-makers” on these cars, is not a satisfactory solution. They fear that the sounds will just blend in with other typical traffic noises. They also wonder if the noises will eventually be ignored due to commonality. They feel that maybe what will start out as a good intention may end up causing problems and may not solve anything after all.

Is it fair for the government to ensure personal safety or is that each individual’s responsibility? Will added noise to electric cars be helpful or not really fix the problem?

Filed Under: Auto Technology and Performance Tagged With: Automobile, Electric car, Electric vehicle, Energy, Government, Hybrid electric vehicle, Pedestrian, Technology

Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act

For most of us the sounds heard on the street are all too familiar. It is easy to recognize the screeching brakes of a school bus and the sounds of the door unfolding. We recognize the rumble of large trucks and semi-trucks. We hear the hum of a car engine waiting at a light. These sounds are so frequent and so familiar it is almost not worth mentioning.

Now though, these sounds are extremely noticeable in comparison with electric hybrid cars which are known for their “silent” engines which are extremely quiet. Up to this point, pedestrians have taken for granted the cues they take from the sounds of automobiles. Now though, individuals are speaking up about their near-hit experiences as they come into proximity of these electric hybrid cars. The group includes those on bicycles, younger children, joggers, and visually-impaired or blind individuals. Those who are not looking or are not able to, see, have no way of knowing an electric car is approaching. The typical audible cues are not there. This poses as a dangerous threat to pedestrians.

After consideration and research, both the United States House of Representatives and the Senate have passed the “Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act.” This legislation will require a minimum requirement of noise for hybrid cars. The goal is to ensure the safety of pedestrians and alert them to the whereabouts of an approaching car while still keeping the level of noise at a quiet minimum for those driving. Drivers appreciate the quiet engines, so do not want to completely reverse this attractive feature.

Although it is likely this legis lation will become law, many debate the issue. Some feel added “noise-makers” on a car will only blend in with surrounding traffic or feel it is not essential to cater to minority groups. On the other hand, those individuals who have actually experienced a close-call with an electric car can really appreciate the value of creating a minimum standard.

Filed Under: Auto Security Technology Tagged With: Electric car, Electric vehicle, Hybrid vehicle, John Kerry, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Pedestrian, United States House of Representatives, Visual impairment

The LEAF

Electric cars are making their debut one by one on the auto industry stage. Nissanâ€™s 2011 LEAF is no different. This trendy electric car features some of the following:

1. 100% electricâ€”no gasoline required
2. Seats 5 with 5 doors
3. Seats are upholstered from recycled plastic bottles
4. Can go up to 100 miles on one charge of the battery
5. Can go up to 90 mph
6. 24 kWh lithium-ion battery
7. zero tailpipe emissions

It is reported that one would never know that the LEAF is an electric car until noticing that there is no shift lever. Rather there is a panel on the tunnel that has a feature like a computer mouse which moves between park and driving functions.

The LEAF has some very convenient features to help owner’s better use the battery pack to its fullest advantage. For example, when the pack is running low on energy, a screen will specifically display how much energy is left and how many miles it is to the nearest station to recharge the battery. The system will then also offer a quick route to find the needed location to recharge.

Unlike gasoline-powered vehicles, this car requires a little more effort from the driver to accelerate. Some gasoline-powered cars can receive the slightest press from the foot of the driver and accelerate quickly. In the LEAF though, a gentle push will result in gentle acceleration. This is to encourage drivers to be easier on the car which will also conserve more energy. The car is able to fully go from park to a full acceleration, but requires pushing the pedal all the way to the floor.

It also boasts another feature whaccessed through a smart phone. The cabin of the car can be pre-heated or pre-cooled through the phone while the battery is plugged in to save energy when the car is driving.

Filed Under: Auto Technology and Performance Tagged With: Automobile, Electric car, Electric vehicle, Energy, Kilowatt hour, Lithium-ion battery, Nissan Leaf, Nissan Motors

Are Green Cars Helping the Environment?

It only takes a glimpse at the evening news to take note of the increase in natural disasters around the globe. From hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico to flooding in Pakistan, world-wide, the public is becoming increasingly concerned. Many trace these natural disasters back to air pollution caused by the earth’s inhabitants. Whether its pollutants puffing out of assembly plants and factories or smoke trailing from a lit cigarette, there are many contributors to air pollution. Among these is gasoline-powered cars.

Gasoline-powered cars let out tailpipe emissions which pollute the air. The main pollutant they release is carbon dioxide. This gas is considered a green house gas which gets trapped in the earth’s atmosphere and can heat up the earth. This can lead to natural disasters around the planet.

With these environment problems facing society, the public as well as government leaders are encouraging auto-makers to turn to more green cars. This means to make cars that will benefit the environment through the use of electricity rather then just on gasoline. This description fits two categories of cars: the pure electric car (wholly powered by electric battery packs) and the hybrid electric car )uses electric battery pack to reduce the demand on the gasoline-powered engine). The philosophy seems to be that a decrease in the use of gasoline-powered cars will help the over-all well-being of our planet.

However, society needs to remember that electricity often is produced using fossil fuels. If electric cars are being charged by sources using natural means like wind mills or river dams, the public is still being environmentally-friendly. If though, the electricity is being produced at a coal plant that is puffing out the very pollutants society is trying to eliminate, the public is not solving any problems. If this latter scenario is the case then electric hybrid cars may not be so green after all.

Filed Under: Auto Fuel Technology Tagged With: Battery (electricity), Electric car, Electric vehicle, Gulf of Mexico, Hybrid electric vehicle, Hybrid vehicle, Pakistan, Plug-in hybrid

Are you Getting a Deal?

When it comes to purchasing a car, money always is a major factor in considering various choices. Consumers want the highest value for the lowest price.

Although many wouldn’t want to admit it, price still comes in to play when considering a more environmentally-friendly car, like an electric hybrid. The trend seems to suggest that it is in-vogue to be green and aware of our environment. Individuals recycle, save scraps to fertilize the yard or garden, and insist on using reusable cloth grocery totes over plastic bags at the grocery store.

It is easy to promote the environment-conscious image when only a few dollars come out of pocket. What happens though when thousands of dollars are on the line? It is impossible to place a specific dollar amount on the environmental benefits of using electric hybrid cars, so it can be hard to make a judgement call on whether purchasing an electric car saves money.

From a practical stand-point though, it doesn’t take too many brains to note the significantly higher price listed for the green cars in comparison with their gasoline-powered counter-parts. When it means a difference of $10,000, how does society as individuals feel about saving planet Earth? Many consumers and auto-makers realize that when push comes to shove, people are hesitant at best to fork over more money to preserve the atmosphere. This is why the government hopes to off-set costs by offering rebates to buyers of electric cars.

Also some may argue that though an electric car may be initially more pricey, owners will save on long-term gas fill ups. Research shows though that it would require the market to be such that gas cost $10 per gallon before the difference could be made up between the electric car’s overall price and that of a gasoline-powered car.

Filed Under: General Auto Tagged With: Chevrolet Volt, Electric and Gas Hybrids, Electric car, Electric vehicle, Energy, Nissan Leaf, Technology, Transportation

Lithium-ion Batteries in Electric Cars

Lithium-ion battery technology has commercially been in use since the early 1990′s. You may not realize it, but the very lap top that you are viewing this article on, uses a lithium-ion battery for energy. Basically any portable electric device (i.e. cameras, cell phones, power tools) utilize the technology of lithium-ion battery.

This specific battery’s superior status is due to the fact that lithium is a very light-weight metal. This allows for light-weight portability. The lithium-ion battery is complex and requires close management. It is also expensive to mine which means higher-prices upfront for items utilizing the battery. Despite these drawbacks though, this battery is really the way of the future.

Auto-makers know this and are using this high-powered resource to benefit the electric car industry. For example both GMâ€™s 2011 Chevy Volt and Nissan’s 2011 Leaf make use of the lithium-ion battery technology. These new trendy, environmentally-friendly cars are taking advantage of the many benefits lithium-ion batteries have to offer.

So what is it specifically that draws electric car manufacturers to this new technology development in batteries? What are the advantages of a lithium-ion battery compared to other battery technology?
1. high-energy density
2. less likely to lose charge when not in use
3. light in weight
4. considered low maintenance
All of these impressive characteristics can drive the electric car industry forward. With a longer charge capacity, a lithium-ion battery allows an electric car to go faster and run longer between charges. Its light-weight also does not unduly weigh the car down and benefits speed and range capabilities too. With this top-of-the-line energy resource, auto-makers will be able to create more effective electric cars. Whereas previously gasoline-powered cars swept the industry, in the future, electric vehicles may be more than a passing trend. They will be the general standard.

Filed Under: Auto Engine Technology Tagged With: Battery (electricity), Chevrolet Volt, Electric car, Electric vehicle, Energy density, Lithium-ion battery, Nissan Leaf, Technology

Electric Car Battery

Before jumping on the electric-car band wagon, itâ€™s probably best to get some straight facts about how electric cars work. With society trends as they are, more than likely, the electric car will become a common sight in our neighborhoods, highways, and urban areas.

While many individuals may not know the detailed ins and outs of internal-combustion engines, they have a basic knowledge of how to maintain their cars. Itâ€™s common knowledge that gasoline-powered cars do contain a battery as well as an engine.

However though, these batteries are unlike the batteries contained in electric cars. In gasoline-powered vehicles, the battery is only used to start-up particular features. For example, the battery only starts up the engine and is not responsible for keeping the engine running while the car is driving. This is often referred to as â€œturning over the engine.â€ The battery also powers the car radio, power-locks, windows, air-conditioning, and other electrical features on the vehicle.

In an electric car, the battery does not merely used as a catalyst, rather it carries the full responsibility for powering all features of the car. It serves as the cars CEO and really runs everything. The battery powers a control which in turn powers the electric motor which provides energy for the car to run. It also runs all the features listed above run by the battery in a gasoline-powered vehicle. Since this puts a heavy responsibility on a battery, electric cars demand high-powered and rechargeable batteries. Typical Double A Batteries are disposable. They have only one-use capacity. Car batteries though in electric cars need to be rechargeable. This means that the chemical energy which creates electric energy must be able to react again and again to recharge the electric capacities. As car manufacturers discover more powerful batteries, this will only enhance the electric carâ€™s performance and abilities.

Filed Under: Auto Engine Technology Tagged With: battery, Electric car, Electric motor, Electric vehicle, Energy, Internal combustion engine, Petrol engine, Technology

Electric Cars Spell Extinction for gas Stations

: Image via Wikipedia

Now may be the time to buy them flowers or a nice card. Tell them how much you’ve appreciated their service all the times you ran into the convenience store to grab a few snacks while your car was filling up with gasoline. Or if you’re from an older generation, express your gratitude for filling it up, and wiping down the windows, for you. No matter how you do it, say goodbye to your local gas station attendant. Why? Because with the proliferation of the electric car there is no longer going to be a need for gasoline, and in turn, no longer a need for gas stations. In the near future, gas stations will be replaced by electric car charging stations.

Electric car charging stations have already started to make a presence in some major cities across the globe, from Los Angeles to Tel Aviv. Unlike the large space taken up by gas facilities, electric car charging stations are small, free standing devices much like a light pole or street sign, with an extension cord. They line the sidewalks or street corners. Drivers can pull right up and plug right in. Since the technology hasn’t significantly lowered the charging times for vehicles, yet, many are located along parking spaces for electric car drivers to park and refuel as they go about their business.

Electric car charging stations tap right into the city’s electric grid. Hence, there is no need to store energy like gas stations that need to store their gasoline on site in large containers. In addition, electric car charging stations can even be placed in someone’s home. The same electricity that is supplied to city streets is generated by the same companies that supply it to residential areas. It only makes sense to have electric car owners charge up at home. As an electric car owner, you could make the case that you are now your very own gas station attendant.

Filed Under: Auto Fuel Technology Tagged With: Automobile, Charging station, Electric car, Electric vehicle, Electrical grid, Filling station, Los Angeles, Tel Aviv

Celebrities Popularize Driving Electric Cars

: Image via Wikipedia

The U.S. government has been doing a lot to increase the ownership of electric vehicles in America’s driving population. They have offered rebates and tax credits such as the very popular Cash for Clunkers program that was implemented to spur people to purchase more fuel-efficient vehicles. New electric cars like the Chevy Volt come with these incentives much like those offered for kitchen appliances like energy-efficient refrigerators and washing machines. While it has sent many buyers to the auto dealer, the U.S. government still doesn’t have the publicity power that celebrities do. As of late, celebrities have shown their environmentally-friendly sides by being spotted riding electric cars. And people have started to take notice.

The days of celebrities in gas-guzzling SUVs like Hummers seem to be waning. Instead the hot ride of celebrities today is the electric car. Just ask the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, George Clooney, Cameron Diaz and Will Ferrell. In Hollywood, using your star power to care for the environment is now the norm. And since celebrities are photographed nearly every single day, even while doing the most mundane of tasks, why not make a statement doing those things by driving an electric car. The pages of magazines like People and Us are now littered with photographs of celebrities making their way to the grocery store and even the red carpet in electric cars.

It could be argued that consumers are starting to follow suit. The hybrid Toyota Prius, which a lot of celebrities also drive, is one of the hottest selling cars in the U.S. This makes celebrities great ambassadors for the future of the electric car. They have the means to acquire the most futuristic automotive advances and bring them to the general public. Everyone at one time wanted to own the same shoes Michael Jordan wore, and they are now starting to want to own the same electric car that Tom Hanks drives.

Filed Under: Auto Technology and Performance Tagged With: Cameron Diaz, Chevy Volt, Electric car, Electric vehicle, Energy, George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Toyota Prius

With Electric Vehicles U.S. Army can Fight Wars and Global Warming

: Image via Wikipedia

Plenty of political brass have made the case that weening the United States off of foreign oil is actually a matter of national security. As oil rich areas continue to become rife with conflict, it’s hard to deny. The U.S. Army–who knows a little something about those conflicts–seems to be considering this argument and has started to look at solutions in electric vehicles, especially since it relies on fleets upon fleets of different machines.

Attesting to its dedication to energy efficiency, the U.S. Army is employing four electric vehicles from the Canadian company Rapid Electric Vehicles. The vehicles run on lithium-ion batteries with a 120 mile range on a full charge and a capability of going 90 mph. These electric vehicles aren’t in the form of a little Prius seen on the street either, but designed after popular SUV and truck models.

However, the zero emissions aspect of these electric vehicles isn’t the only thing that piques the interest of the U.S. Army. What really makes these electric vehicles so special, and quite different from those you can find on the road, is their storage capability. They can emit power to a domestic 120V outlet turning them into four-wheeled power stations. In addition, they also boast smart-grid features such as GPS and wireless access. These advantages can really shine in various combat operations where power is scarce or in the many disaster areas that U.S. military is called into around the world.

Additionally, the lack of a need for fuel in electric vehicles also has its own logistical advantage for the U.S. Army. Getting tanks, Humvees and tucks moving in the battlefield requires a lot of fuel, which in turn needs to be shipped and stored throughout the conflict zone causing a lot headaches. With electric vehicles, the military will not have to concern itself with such a large supply operation and can spend more time concentrating of fighting the bad guys instead.

Filed Under: Auto Safety Technology Tagged With: Electric car, Electric vehicle, Lithium-ion battery, Power station, Toyota Prius, U.S. Army, United States, United States Army