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To: NavVet
On the contrary, range is one of the big problems with electric vehicles. Compounding the range problem is the extreme variability due to driving style and environment.

Charge up an EV in a cold climate, let it sit for a couple of weeks, then drive it with all accessories and see what the range is. Even a gas guzzling SUV will go at least 300 miles. The core problem with EVs is that they are optimized for only a few performance parameters: conversion efficiency, and regenerative braking to name the biggest. Fossil fueled IC engines are a mix of many compromises that make them, over all, the best personal transportation solution.

31 posted on 04/09/2012 8:28:15 AM PDT by Jack of all Trades (Hold your face to the light, even though for the moment you do not see.)
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To: Jack of all Trades

Range is also a problem with CNG (though not as bad).
You can get about 1/3 of the equivalence of gasoline in the same large space.

IE, if you have a 15 gallon tank for your gasoline,
and replace it in the same space with CNG tanks,
you have the equivalent range/energy of 5 gals of gasoline.


34 posted on 04/09/2012 8:33:47 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter knows whom he's working for)
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To: Jack of all Trades

An EV that will go 300 miles on a charge and the ability to quick charge does not present a range problem. That’s about five hours driving non-stop. Just because a dual tank GMC can go even further on a tank doesn’t mean that 300 miles at a whack isn’t a long way. Yes, temperature / driving patterns can reduce range, and that is why the 100 mile Nissan Leaf causes range anxiety. However, if you start off with 300 miles of range, and even if you give up 100 miles due to extreme could, blasting the heater, you are still left with 200 miles of range, which would be more than adequate for most drives, even without factoring in the ability to fully recharge, while you grab a cup of coffee. The problem is the cost of electric vehicles that can drive 300 miles on a charge, and then another 250 after a 30 minute charge cost at least 70, 000. And Conversion efficiency and regenerative braking aren’t things that are “optimized for” that otherwise reduce range. Conversion efficiency and regeneration capability are simple characteristics of the electric motor and attached inverter / controller. The ability to have a long range battery is not in conflict with either conversion efficiency or regenerative braking.


91 posted on 04/10/2012 3:08:41 AM PDT by NavVet ("You Lie!")
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