http://ebergen.net/wordpress/2008/08/16/solving-the-final-issue-with-electric-cars/ You will probably want some waders, a pickaxe, and one of those hats with a light on it before you go in here. Fri, 11 May 2012 07:02:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://ebergen.net/wordpress/2008/08/16/solving-the-final-issue-with-electric-cars/comment-page-1/#comment-224770 Swapping out rechargable batteries in electric cars… the future? « Entrepreneur Enclave Thu, 05 Mar 2009 21:46:51 +0000 http://ebergen.net/wordpress/?p=189#comment-224770 [...] I read an article from Eric Bergen a few months ago on replacing car batteries in electric cars instead of charging them, I thought it [...] [...] I read an article from Eric Bergen a few months ago on replacing car batteries in electric cars instead of charging them, I thought it [...]

]]> http://ebergen.net/wordpress/2008/08/16/solving-the-final-issue-with-electric-cars/comment-page-1/#comment-224194 Wakefield electrician Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:24:48 +0000 http://ebergen.net/wordpress/?p=189#comment-224194 You basically need hydrogen fule cells to advance more for this type of thing to become properly viable. It will happen, but not for a while yet... You basically need hydrogen fule cells to advance more for this type of thing to become properly viable. It will happen, but not for a while yet…

]]> http://ebergen.net/wordpress/2008/08/16/solving-the-final-issue-with-electric-cars/comment-page-1/#comment-175163 Chad Maynard Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:12:34 +0000 http://ebergen.net/wordpress/?p=189#comment-175163 I've always been interested in flywheel energy systems (FES for short). Basically they are dense rotating discs that are stored in a vacuum to facilitate as little friction as possible (the goal being perpetual motion). The rotational inertia of the disk can then be drawn upon and converted to electrical energy, which can be used to drive electric motors. Today's "gas stations" would actually be stations that reset the speed of the flywheel (since taking energy out of the flywheel means taking angular velocity from it). Also, when the vehicle is already in motion (gravity pulling the mass down an incline), the kinetic energy can be reintroduced into the flywheel (today's brakes dissipate mech energy to heat energy, a waste). Of course this type of setup would have its downsides... Any type of collision that destroys the housing of the flywheel could shatter the wheel creating thousands of bullet-like projectiles. Also, the angular momentum of the flywheel would make the vehicle difficult to turn. This could be offset by mounting the flywheel in a way that it is "free-floating." Also, in situations where a vehicle sits for a long amount of time, the flywheel is still losing small amounts of angular velocity due to whatever friction is in the system. I’ve always been interested in flywheel energy systems (FES for short). Basically they are dense rotating discs that are stored in a vacuum to facilitate as little friction as possible (the goal being perpetual motion). The rotational inertia of the disk can then be drawn upon and converted to electrical energy, which can be used to drive electric motors. Today’s “gas stations” would actually be stations that reset the speed of the flywheel (since taking energy out of the flywheel means taking angular velocity from it). Also, when the vehicle is already in motion (gravity pulling the mass down an incline), the kinetic energy can be reintroduced into the flywheel (today’s brakes dissipate mech energy to heat energy, a waste). Of course this type of setup would have its downsides… Any type of collision that destroys the housing of the flywheel could shatter the wheel creating thousands of bullet-like projectiles. Also, the angular momentum of the flywheel would make the vehicle difficult to turn. This could be offset by mounting the flywheel in a way that it is “free-floating.” Also, in situations where a vehicle sits for a long amount of time, the flywheel is still losing small amounts of angular velocity due to whatever friction is in the system.

]]> http://ebergen.net/wordpress/2008/08/16/solving-the-final-issue-with-electric-cars/comment-page-1/#comment-167720 Mark M Mon, 18 Aug 2008 22:29:20 +0000 http://ebergen.net/wordpress/?p=189#comment-167720 Eric, This is exactly the model proposed by Project Better Place. Instead of owning the battery pack you will lease it from PBB and you can plug-in around town or swap-out if you are going further. See: http://www.betterplace.com/ Eric,
This is exactly the model proposed by Project Better Place. Instead of owning the battery pack you will lease it from PBB and you can plug-in around town or swap-out if you are going further.
See: http://www.betterplace.com/

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