A spare battery is not manageable, infrastructure seems to be the key, lets hope the pressure on the Governments to cut down emissions will lead to increased investments in charging points.
I like the concept of a new electric "gas" station where you roll in and a robotic system built into the ground quickly removes your drained battery from below your car and replaces it with a fully charged one. In theory this could be done if the cars were designed this way and the infrastructure put in place. What does everyone else think?
Thanks for the link. You are right, a spare battery is not an option. I hope improvement in technology down the line can yield smaller sized powerful batteries
A spare battery isn't a viable option. Here's a picture of the LEAF's battery; http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/05/nissan_leaf_battery_a.jpg it's large and heavy. There is a company called Better Place that has a system to swap batteries in EV's. It's being used in some places but the LEAF doesn't work with that system. Range is not that big of an issue for me. I go beyond the range often but there are charging stations available. It is a lifestyle change but the trade-off is worth it to me. There is a lot of talk about what EV's cannot do but the only real issue is infrastructure. If every petro-station had a DC quick charger, the conversation would shift to the limitations and high cost of ICE vehicles.
The battery is the main Achilles heel of the electric vehicle. It's so massive it can't be easily replaced and a replacement can't just be stocked at home by a buyer. It's also the most expensive part in the vehicle, which means the idea of a consumer simply walking into a store and purchasing one is hardly a good option.
How I wish that solar cars are designed for continuous charging of the vehicle not only when we park the car. It does not neccessarily mean that it has to be sunshine before we can get solar energy. It is always there but when we have sunshine, we get more of the solar energy. As some people preferred electric cars which I will consider not cost effective. Developing countries where electricity is not stable will not find it fascinating whereas solar type may be the best tool for them. Our world is full of varieties: isn't it?
Good to know of great features of Electric Vehicles, what about the charging disadvantage, assuming the owner lives in an apartment with no garage or park on the street. The car need to be charged at night and if there is no area to plug it in then will either simply not work or be too cumbersome to do, for instance, dragging an extension cord across the sidewalk and having your neighbor trip over it, this could be a limitation.
The solar source of power is a good idea, but does it mean the car must be in the sun at nearly all times to be effective, if you're driving in a tunnel, a covered parking garage or even if it's cloudy? I dont see solar-powered being very practical.
Given the importance of the battery to an electric car, you might wonder what will happen as that battery grows older. How long will it be able to power the car? And when it finally dies, can it be replaced or is it simply more economical to buy a new car?
The features of Electric Vehicles hold great promise. While it has simpler mechanics than fuel injection engine, when things go wrong as they are inevitably will, hope the repair is as easy available as fuel injection.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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