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

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SUMMARY

The EV1, produced in 1996, achieved a range of 75 to 150 miles per charge using NiMH batteries rated at 77 amp-hours (26.4 kWh) at 343 volts, significantly outperforming the 2010 Chevrolet Volt, which offers a maximum of 40 miles on electric power alone. The EV1's superior range is attributed to its larger battery pack, optimized aerodynamics with a coefficient of drag of 0.19, and a lightweight design. In contrast, the Volt's smaller 16 kWh battery is designed for hybrid functionality, prioritizing practicality and battery longevity over maximum electric range. Future advancements in battery technology, such as IBM's Lithium-Air project aiming for a 500-mile range, could revolutionize electric vehicles.

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  • Understanding of electric vehicle battery technologies, specifically NiMH and Lithium-Ion.
  • Familiarity with vehicle aerodynamics and its impact on performance.
  • Knowledge of hybrid vehicle systems and their operational differences compared to pure electric vehicles.
  • Awareness of current trends in battery research and development, including Lithium-Air technology.
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  • Investigate the environmental impacts of electric vehicles compared to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
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  • #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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