Quote:
Originally Posted by shakran
And that's the problem. We've been capable of much higher than 23mpg for over 2 decades, and yet we still think 23mpg is pretty decent.
Then we wonder why there's an oil crisis.
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Am I to assume that you are one of those "conspiracy theroists" who think that GM and Ford are hiding the technology for these "uber" efficient vehicles you are talking about so they can hold hands with "Big Oil" for large amounts of money? We DO have vehicles out there that make much better than 23 MPG, but as I have stated, not everyone can fit their entire families inside one of them, and that was the point I was making, in that a SUV or Mini-van that gets 23 MPG is not so rediculous.
As far as the EV1, even though the concept behind the vehicle was sound, the biggest problem with that vehicle, which is the same with these "home grown" electric cares was safety and longevity. If you do the research, the government has DEMANDED that the electric car must pass certain requirements to be accepted as a vehicle that can be sold in the US. It must be efficient, meaning that the range of the electric portion must be above what it can get for its gasoline equivalent. With todays technology, GM is having a challenge finding the right battery.
Currently there are two battery manufacturers that have made it to the final testing phase, one from the USA, and the other from Europe. Both batteries are undergoing severe thermal, wear, and endurance testing to see which one gets used in the new Volt. And the first mandate is that the new battery packs must be warrantied for 10 years and 150k miles...thats a HUGE requirement considering the average life expectancy of a battery. The other major requirement is safety. Each battery MUST pass certain specifications in safety. You have to understand that a charged battery is in essence a bomb. think about it, you have a large amount of potential energy just waiting on an outlet. If not working within the mandated specs, any battery that is being used in the "home grown" vehicles has a SERIOUS potential for exploding. Something that obviously the car manufacturers can't have happen. So the battery must undergo extensive safety tests as well. Its not as easy as so many of you seem to think.
Personally I wouldnt get caught DEAD in one of these home-grown electric cars out there. they havent done the testing yet for safety. and the NIMh batteries used in most of these are quite volital! Personally I don't want to take the risk there, considering how large the battery packs are. Sure the manufacturers could slap together an electric car that gets you 60 miles on a single charge, and will cost you say 25k for the finished product, but then it might only last us 3 years, for current battery designs. I dont know about you, but I want my car to last longer than 3 years before I have to replace a $10k battery!
As far as charging the vehicles, I can't say specifics about anything other than the Volt, but It has a "smart charging" system that actually is capable of monitoring the grid system for excessive loads, and cuts down on it's charging demand durring those times. The system is even smart enough to send electric current back into the grid if needed. Hows THAT for a smart car? The load required is usually only made at night anyway, which is when MOST of these cars will be plugged in, when most people on the local grid are sleeping, and demand for electricity is lowest.
And just in case any of you are curious, Yes I do love the technology involved here and have been working with the engineers and field engineers on the Tahoe hybrid since early last year when the first Tahoe hybrids hit the showrooms. And I am really looking forward to the first Volts, as I am told I might get a change to use one for the field testing next year!