Electric Vehicles Interest Group of the New River Valley, Virginia
Introduction
Even major auto companies are stating that the future for automobiles is electric propulsion. It is not easy for those who want to drive electric now to learn about electric vehicles. Every locality needs an electric vehicle club or interest group to help citizens make electric decisions.
Electric Vehicles Links
Books
- Batteries in a Portable World: A Handbook on Rechargeable Batteries for Non-Engineers.
- Convert It!
- The Zero-Carbon Car: Building the Car the Auto Industry Can't Get Right
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Necessities for Batteries' Monitoring
Every lead-acid-battery vehicle should have:
PakTrakr 800 (small display + 1 remote for 8 batteries: $170; extra remote: $90) is also available for lithium, NiCd and NiMh batteries.
Necessities for Batteries' Equalizing
Batteries in a pack that are charged from a single charger need to have an equalizer to guard against over and under charging. For a 6-pack: BattEq 6-channel $299. For a 4-pack: BattEq 4-channel $199. Here is a technical paper about the BattEq switched-capacitor method for battery equalization.
Lead-acid batteries need to have a desulfator: Battery Life Saver $119.95 for 12/24, 37, 48 & 72 volts packs.
Conversion of Gasoline Vehicles to Electric Vehicles
Mazda Miata Conversions
- Mazda's electric Miata MX-5
- Miata with NiCd batteries
- 1990 Miata
- Another 1990 Miata
- 1991 Miata
- 1996 Miata
- 2000 Miata
- From http://www.evmiata.com/: So why choose a Miata to convert to electric? Here are some of my thoughts:
- They’re light which means less mass for an electric motor to move around
- They are aerodynamic, which helps at freeway speed
- Most have manual transmissions, which is required for an electric conversion
- Being a convertible, in most climates they don’t need air-conditioning. Air conditioning can be a big drain on your battery pack which effects your range
- Most are well cared for - they were an "IT" car that some people gladly paid a premium for
- Parts are easily available, including body kits, low profile headlights, even kit cars
- You can find them in good shape inexpensively
- Their styling is classic, some say iconic
- They are a blast to drive!
Volkswagen Conversions
Pickup Conversions
What Electric Vehicles are Available Now or Soon?
- Travel less than 15/20 miles per charge (mcp) at 40-45 mph on level or moderately hilly terrain: ZAP Xebra SD or PK.
- It is better to convert from 72 volts (6 batteries) to 84 volts (7 batteries) if there are many hills.
- You can drive twice that far in a day if you do opportunity charging between drives less than 20 miles; e.g., drive 10 miles in early morning, charge for several hours, drive 15 miles around noon, charge for several hours, then drive 15 miles in the evening. order now $11,000-$17,000.
- Not good for steep hills/mountains.
- Travel less than 35 mpc on level or moderately hilly terrain as electric car and much farther with a hybrid system:
- Travel less than 45 mpc on level or moderately hilly terrain as electric car and much farther with a hybrid system: Tesla WhiteStar range-extended vehicle (REV) c2009/2010 ~$50,000
- Travel 150 mpc on level ground: Tesla WhiteStar c2009/2010 ~$60,000
- Travel 250 mpc on level ground: Tesla sports car order now ~$100,000
- Travel up mountains: The current best choice for an "electric vehicle" that can travel up mountains is a Prius with the A123 Systems/Hymotion plug-in conversion.
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Dave Roper, roperld@vt.edu