A battery-powered car has broken the UK land-speed record for electric vehicles at Elvington airfield near York.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19739882

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19740004

Congrats to them. I like the paint scheme they did, I'm sure the paint did not come like that when they bought the car off E-bay.

Ok, I want one!

It looks like a modified Lotus Elise or Exige.

As and when electric cars become common place, they'll have to make them sound like something or people wont hear them comming.

As a matter of fact, Snowy, it's an Exige. Great looking ride, but I like my girls to scream when I stroke them.

Lots of forum telling that EV is dead and asking "who killed electric cars"? Many believe that the EV is the best hope for a future less dependent on fossil fuels.   There have been pushes by many to popularize them.   But still, even with high gasoline prices, they just don't appear to be increasing in popularity in a significant way with the car purchasing public.   This week, with every little thing from denounced government incentives to lowered revenue forecasts, has been an especially tough one for the electric vehicle. 

Quote from: permyor on September 29, 2012, 11:41:40 AM
Lots of forum telling that EV is dead and asking "who killed electric cars"? Many believe that the EV is the best hope for a future less dependent on fossil fuels.   There have been pushes by many to popularize them.   But still, even with high gasoline prices, they just don't appear to be increasing in popularity in a significant way with the car purchasing public.   This week, with every little thing from denounced government incentives to lowered revenue forecasts, has been an especially tough one for the electric vehicle. 

Hi Permyor

It still seems a little early in terms of development of electric cars and the infrastructure that will be needed for charging, however I hope it happens sooner rather than later.

I know one thing for sure, I would like an electric car in my lifetime.

Thanks for the info and welcome to Datahopa. 

Welcome to Dathopa Permyor,

I think in about 4-6 years we will see a lot more electric, hydrogen, and other eco friendly powered cars available to the public from major car companies.

The process has been going slow for the car companies are a business and want to make money, so they have to create systems that are not easily reproduced and that they can patent.

OK people, there are five current issues which are having a profound impact on the developement of Electric Vehicles.

Firstly, as Data pointed out, infrastructure for charging, very big draw back that. Systems are in place to address this issue, but, it will take a time longer yet.

The next three can be summed up as follows, Cost, Weight and Longevity.

What do I mean by these ?.

All vehicle manufacturers are geared up to produce whatever they currently produce, the introduction of a new propulsion system means increased costs as they require production outside of the established format line with an unknown return on investment.

The weight of batteries as this time, produce pretty poor power to weight ratio's. Once the whole bulk of this storage medium has been addressed and the capacity has been improved, then I can see Electric Vehicles being far more popular.

Right, that has given an insight to 4 of the 5 issues, so what is the fifth ?. The fifth is the biggest reason that Electric Vehicles are still side lined.

Oil Companies and Governments.

Both will advertise that they are primarily concerned about the environment, lets get real here, both are concerned about revenue.

I would also like to bring their "green" credentials into question.

The best aspect is they move the pollution to power stations so keeping town pollution to a minimum. They are less green to build due to the batteries. Less green to run due to the weight you have to move around.
Hopefully hydrogen fuel cells will alleviate this but they're not a fully working tech yet and there are no hydrogen lakes. The hydrogen has to come from fossil fuel directly or indirectly (to create electricity for electrolosis or manufacture solar cells).

There is also the range issue. Generally about 50 miles, making hybrid car more practical. I just wish hybid cars were not as ugly as a Prius.

There are no easy fixes.

Here in the states there are more and more hybrids every day, and most are FAR more attractive than a Prius. However, my personal preference is for a Hydrogen fuel cell. A couple of companies are working on the idea of using solar power to supply the energy to fuel the electrolysis to provide the necessary hydrogen, but the biggest holdup lies in potential safety concerns for the Hydrogen tank. Since Hydrogen is one of the most explosive gasses on the planet, and since driving isn't exactly the safest of activities, a certain amount of thought needs to be put into the design of such a vessel (making sure it's not TOO BIG, for one thing). Personally, I like one of the experimental ideas I've seen that uses a tank that looks somewhat like a SCUBA tank, but is coated with a laminated carbon fiber/polycarbonate/kevlar shell, making it nearly impervious to destruction due to impact. Again, though, weight/volume factors come into play, mainly because such a tank would be pretty large on the outside, but prohibitively small on the inside. But there's hope.

I refer you back to reason five, until this situation can be addressed we stand little or no chance . Given that, currently, £0.80 in every £1 of fuel you buy in the UK is tax, alternative fuel systems stand little or no chance of developement.

Quote from: Snowcrash on September 30, 2012, 21:12:05 PM

Hopefully hydrogen fuel cells will alleviate this but they're not a fully working tech yet and there are no hydrogen lakes. The hydrogen has to come from fossil fuel directly or indirectly (to create electricity for electrolosis or manufacture solar cells).

And Hydrogen creates water vapour which in itself is also a greenhouse emission, although how much impact low level water vapour has is yet to be discovered.

As you said, snowy no quick fixes

Ok, people, that's just plain ridiculous! Since when is Water Vapour (e.g. clouds, fog, mist, rain, etc) a GREENHOUSE GAS?!?!?! DD, I love you dearly, but that's just plain beyond the pale! And for the record, Carbon Dioxide wouldn't be a bleedin' Greenhouse gas if we'd leave all the bloody trees alone! I'm firmly in favour of being "friendly to the planet", and I personally practice good stewardship, but some of these nut jobs who are spouting this garbage are just plain mental!

Sorry for the rant. I love you all.

Also, just to point out something that should be blatantly obvious, the "carbon footprint" of a solar cell, when amortized over it's productive lifetime, is almost negligible, compared to even hydro-electric energy production. Yes, the manufacture of a solar cell DOES produce pollutants, but nothing in this world is "carbon neutral"; not even raising crops. And bear in mind that Mankind STILL doesn't put out as many poisonous gasses (most days) as the planet itself does. Volcanoes still toss out more toxins than we do, on the average day.