How Did the EV1 Achieve Greater Range Than the Volt Despite Older Technology?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the comparison of the electric vehicle EV1 and the hybrid Volt, specifically exploring why the EV1 achieved a greater range despite being produced earlier and utilizing older technology. The conversation touches on aspects of vehicle design, battery technology, and the implications of energy infrastructure on electric vehicle performance.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that the EV1 is a pure electric car, while the Volt is a hybrid, which is not designed to run exclusively on electric power.
  • Others mention that the EV1 had a larger battery pack compared to the Volt, which has a smaller battery designed for longevity.
  • It is pointed out that the EV1 was highly optimized for aerodynamics, having a very low coefficient of drag, while the Volt is designed to be more practical and larger.
  • Some participants argue that the combined range of the Volt is significantly higher due to its hybrid nature, allowing for quick refueling compared to the EV1's longer charging time.
  • Concerns are raised about the environmental impact of electric vehicles, particularly regarding the energy sources used for electricity generation, with some arguing that the benefits of EVs can vary by region.
  • There is discussion about future battery technologies, such as Lithium-Air, which could potentially revolutionize electric vehicle range, though challenges remain regarding power density and specific power compared to current technologies.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the reliance on coal for electricity generation and advocate for alternative energy sources, including nuclear and natural gas.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the factors contributing to the differences in range between the EV1 and Volt, with no consensus reached on the primary reasons. There is also disagreement regarding the environmental implications of electric vehicles and the future of battery technology.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations in current battery technologies and the dependence on regional energy infrastructures, which may affect the overall performance and environmental impact of electric vehicles.

  • #31
rewebster said:
its too bad they can't make a cheap (<$5k) electric car with a range of about 60 miles-

--I can see a lot of people buying a second or a third car just for local driving as most people's trips are only about 25-30 miles in cars.
India's gasoline Tata Nano is $2500
http://jalopnik.com/343003/the-2500-tata-nano-unveiled-in-india
I expect they could get together with some of the neighborhood EV people and do it for $5k ($3k batteries=60 miles)
 
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  • #32
mheslep said:
The topic of this thread is Electric Car Range. Those post are discussing TBI, etc. I wander off myself all the time, never the less the rules are

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=5374"

The safety and feasability of producing energy to power electric cars is essential to reasonable discussion of their range. One of the newest high yield plants 'blowing up' seems relevant given that the discussion has ranged (rimshot) to the means of producing power to charge batteries.

I agree that a page or two dedicated to the issue of the plant explosion would be too much, but we're talking about 3 posts. Then also, this thread had been dead for 8 days without your input, so why bring it back to life, JUST to complain about a forum technicality?

This thread will probably be locked now, instead of just dying naturally. So sad. :cry:
 
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  • #33
Frame Dragger said:
The safety and feasability of producing energy to power electric cars is essential to reasonable discussion of their range. One of the newest high yield plants 'blowing up' seems relevant given that the discussion has ranged (rimshot) to the means of producing power to charge batteries.
Ok, sure.

I agree that a page or two dedicated to the issue of the plant explosion would be too much, but we're talking about 3 posts. Then also, this thread had been dead for 8 days without your input, so why bring it back to life, JUST to complain about a forum technicality?
Because I hoped to improve things for future threads FD, and give this thread a chance of continuing a pace.
 

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