Future of Personal Transport: Electric Vehicles

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In summary, the conversation discusses the limitations of internal combustion engines in terms of speed, fuel efficiency, and reliability, and how electric vehicles are still in development. The future of personal transportation lies in public transportation, such as buses and bullet trains, as the logistics of individual transport become more difficult in large cities. The idea of giving every person a personal transporter is not practical, as seen in the example of a city like Los Angeles. The Scientific American podcast also touches on this topic.
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wolram
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The IC engine has evolved all most to its limits of mph, mpg reliability, electric vehicles are still on the horizon, where is the future in PT?
 
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wolram said:
The IC engine has evolved all most to its limits of mph, mpg reliability, electric vehicles are still on the horizon, where is the future in PT?

The future isn't in personal transport at all, it is in PUBLIC transportation. the fact is that an "inefficient" bus carrying 50 people is far more efficient than one person driving in a hybrid.

And then what about bullet trains that carry 100 or 200 people to neighboring cities at 200 MPH? Or above/below ground inner city rail.

It just isn't a practical idea to give every single person a personal transporter. The fact is that as the population of a city gets larger, the logistics of each person personally transporting themselves becomes geometrically more daunting.

What if L.A. gad all public transport instead of 85% road surface for the car each person has? it wouldn't be so sprawling, that's for sure.
 
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In Episode 11 of the Scientific American pod-cast they talked about just that problem.

http://www.sciam.com/podcast/index.cfm?ref=rss
 

1. How do electric vehicles work?

Electric vehicles are powered by an electric motor and a battery pack. The motor converts electricity from the battery into mechanical energy to power the vehicle's wheels. The battery is typically charged by plugging the vehicle into an electrical outlet or specialized charging station.

2. What are the benefits of using electric vehicles?

Electric vehicles have several benefits, including lower operating costs, reduced emissions, and improved energy efficiency. They also typically require less maintenance than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

3. How far can electric vehicles travel on a single charge?

This depends on the specific model of the electric vehicle and the capacity of its battery. On average, most electric vehicles can travel between 100-250 miles on a single charge. However, some newer models have a range of over 300 miles.

4. Are there enough charging stations for electric vehicles?

The number of charging stations for electric vehicles is steadily increasing as the demand for electric vehicles grows. Many public places, such as shopping centers and rest stops, now have charging stations available for use. Additionally, many electric vehicle owners also have access to charging stations at their homes or workplaces.

5. What is the future outlook for electric vehicles?

The future of electric vehicles looks promising as more and more countries and companies are investing in their development and infrastructure. With advancements in battery technology and increasing global concern for the environment, it is likely that electric vehicles will become more prevalent in the coming years.

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