The Electric Car...who killed it?

[Robster]

I came across a documentary film called "Who Killed the Electric Car?" recently, which was out in the cinema in August. I got hold of a copy and it made for very interesting watching.

From 1996 to about 2002 General Motors were producing a car called the EV1 which unlike every other electric car made actually looked quite nice. Pics

As well as looking good they had a range of 75-150 miles, 0-60 of 7 seconds, and a demonstrated top speed of 183mph (limited to 80mph on production model), and were charged using a charger that could be plugged into any mains outlet.

Most of the 1100 cars made were leased, and due to GM short sightedness, pressure and propoganda from the oil companies among other factors, the cars were recalled at the end of the 3 year lease period and eventually crushed. Only a few remain in motoring museums.

The next best hope for electric cars is a company called Tesla, who are making a Lotus inspired electric sports car with a 0-60 of 4 seconds and a top speed of 130mph, to be delivered to those who have pre-ordered them next year. They are also planning a mass market saloon due to start shipping in 2008. Link

Some interesting facts:
The amount of electricity needed to create hydrogen from water to power a hydrogen fuel cell car, is about 4 times the amount required to power an electric car to go the same distance.

Electric cars create about 80-90% less CO2 in the production of the electricity they use, than petrol cars produce (including exhaust fumes, and the energy used to mine and refine the oil)

[punky]

GM are on the verge of going backrupt. Again. I am sure if they could make a few bob by helping to solve the world's energy crisis, they would.

[injuneer]

Originally Posted by Robster

I came across a documentary film called "Who Killed the Electric Car?" recently, which was out in the cinema in August. I got hold of a copy and it made for very interesting watching.

From 1996 to about 2002 General Motors were producing a car called the EV1 which unlike every other electric car made actually looked quite nice. Pics

As well as looking good they had a range of 75-150 miles, 0-60 of 7 seconds, and a demonstrated top speed of 183mph (limited to 80mph on production model), and were charged using a charger that could be plugged into any mains outlet.

Most of the 1100 cars made were leased, and due to GM short sightedness, pressure and propoganda from the oil companies among other factors, the cars were recalled at the end of the 3 year lease period and eventually crushed. Only a few remain in motoring museums.

The next best hope for electric cars is a company called Tesla, who are making a Lotus inspired electric sports car with a 0-60 of 4 seconds and a top speed of 130mph, to be delivered to those who have pre-ordered them next year. They are also planning a mass market saloon due to start shipping in 2008. Link

Some interesting facts:
The amount of electricity needed to create hydrogen from water to power a hydrogen fuel cell car, is about 4 times the amount required to power an electric car to go the same distance.

Electric cars create about 80-90% less CO2 in the production of the electricity they use, than petrol cars produce (including exhaust fumes, and the energy used to mine and refine the oil)

I always thought the thing that limited electric cars was the size & weight of the battery required? Battery technology has come on a bit since then so it should be even better now! Vested interests and lack of willpower to blame.

[altis]

How weird!

Only yesterday I passed a bright yellow blancmange of a car with 'Electric Vehicle' plastered down the site.

They have (or at least had in the past) some electric buses at Birkenhead.

[Xaccers]

Range of 75-150 miles?

I'd have to fill up every day!

Lets see, SVO gives me 600 miles on a tank, one of those electric cars 150 miles...

[Robster]

Originally Posted by punky

GM are on the verge of going backrupt. Again. I am sure if they could make a few bob by helping to solve the world's energy crisis, they would.

Well you would think so wouldn't you, but according to the woman on the film who was involved in the EV1 project they had a waiting list of 4,000 people who wanted an EV1 but still claimed there was no demand. I think they basically didn't want to annoy the oil companies.

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Range of 75-150 miles?

I'd have to fill up every day!

Lets see, SVO gives me 600 miles on a tank, one of those electric cars 150 miles...

Well charging up every day wouldn't really be a problem as you can plug in to any mains socket, so you can just plug in at home or wherever you may be over night, or even stopped for a few hours. Out of interest, what's your occupation/circumstances that means you do a lot of mileage, if you don't mind me asking.

[Escapee]

I seem to remember some people were able to keeo some of the electric cars on lease from either GM or Toyota? I seem to recall there being a website with info about them.

I understand the G-Wiz, not sure of spelling is selling in small numbers in London.

Here

http://www.goingreen.co.uk/store/content/gwiz

I understand a company called something like "Nice" ??? is selling or planning to sell an electric car based on the Aixam, I'm not sure if it was the complete Aixam car but I'm sure they were going to use the variable drive system from it.

I recently had a look at a 1970's Enfield Electric car, unfortunately the guy just wanted too much money for it and it was a bit rough, but did have a new set of batteries. I only travel 6 miles to work now, but there is a very steep hill. I would think about an Aixam diesel just for back and fore work if I didn't have the steep hill, instead I use the Lomax 602cc Kit Car with no roof and should be picking up my Trabant this weekend.

The idea of an electric car really appeals to me, and if my area was flat instead of hills its certainly the way I would go. I think the hill is a bit steep for my old Sinclair C5.....

[budwieser]

What about the one we sell?
http://www.honda.co.uk/car/ Choose the Civic `Hybrid`

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Robster

Well charging up every day wouldn't really be a problem as you can plug in to any mains socket, so you can just plug in at home or wherever you may be over night, or even stopped for a few hours. Out of interest, what's your occupation/circumstances that means you do a lot of mileage, if you don't mind me asking.

I can't afford to live closer to work, I live near Milton Keynes, and unfortunately, work in Staines.
I'd get a job closer to home, but they don't pay enough, and the hours I work suits me (being shift).
I've got nothing against using public transport, best way to get around london for instance, but to get to work, I'd have to get the 1:30am train, in order to get to work for 8am for a 12 hour shift and not get home until nearly midnight (last time I checked) and it costs an absolute fortune.
So, instead, I take a relatively pleasant and stress free drive (actually quite relaxing) for an hour and a half on weekday mornings, and 45 minutes in the evenings and weekends.

On an environmental side of things, with SVO being CO2 neutral, and mains electricity not being CO2 neutral, I'd also be doing more of my bit to help slow the increase in CO2.