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By Mary Joyce Energy Information Administration |
On road vehicles such as automobiles, pickups, vans, buses, and trucks are all capable of being electric vehicles (EVs). Smaller vehicles, such as motorcycles, forklifts, and cargo tugs can also be designed as EVs.
Three types of EVs are in use today:
- battery powered,
- hybrid, and
- fuel cell.
A battery powered EV uses the electricity from onboard rechargeable batteries to run an electric motor which turns the vehicle's wheels. A hybrid electric vehicle has two sources of motive energy. For example, it may use a lean burn gasoline engine in combination with batteries. A fuel cell vehicle uses electricity from fuel cells instead of batteries. A fuel cell operates like a battery in that it converts chemical energy directly into electricity. A fuel cell combines oxygen from the air with hydrogen gas. Unlike a battery, a fuel cell does not run down or need recharging; it produces electricity as long as fuel, in the form of hydrogen, is supplied. Fuels other than pure hydrogen can be utilized by fuel cells if they are processed or reformed to provide a hydrogen rich mixture. Alternative fuels being considered for use in fuel cells include methanol, ethanol, natural gas, propane, and hydrogen.
Around the turn of the 20th century, on road electric vehicles outnumbered gasoline powered automobiles. During the early 1900s, 50,000 EVs traveled the roads and streets of the United States. Their popularity decreased, however, once less expensive methods of making gasoline were discovered and the electric starter replaced the crank for gasoline powered automobiles.
Electric vehicle and battery technology continues to improve and experience rapid growth, however, today's battery powered EV still does not offer the range of a gasoline powered vehicle. The typical driving range for these EVs is 50 to 130 miles depending upon the vehicle's weight, number and type of batteries, and engineering and design features. Weather extremes and use of accessories (such as heating and air conditioning) can also affect the range.
Battery pack replacement costs are high, so battery replacement is usually included in the price of leased vehicles. Well designed battery powered EVs can travel at the same speeds as conventional vehicles and provide the same safety and performance capabilities. But, with typical battery recharging times of 6 to 8 hours, most vehicles, especially fleet vehicles, must be recharged overnight.
Hybrid EVs have longer ranges than battery powered vehicles and don't require a charging infrastructure. Hybrid EVs have several advantages over traditional internal combustion engine vehicles including regenerative braking capability which helps minimize the energy lost when driving, reduced engine weight, increased fuel efficiency, and decreased emissions. Hybrid EVs can also be operated using alternative fuels. Therefore, they need not be dependent on fossil fuels. However, nearly all the hybrid vehicles currently in the marketplace are gasoline/battery combinations.
A fuel cell EV produces very little or no tailpipe emissions, like a battery powered EV, and it has the driving range and convenience of a conventional gasoline powered engine. Fuel cell vehicle technology is currently in the development stage. EVs cost more than gasoline powered vehicles. Initial commercial production EVs are priced in the $15,000 to $40,000 range. Many OEMs only offer EVs on a lease basis with lease prices at $349 per month or more. Tax incentives often help to defray costs.
More than 5,000 EVs were estimated to be in use in 1998 in the United States, with California leading all other States by a wide margin. In 1998 California was estimated to have more than 2,200 EVs in use followed by Michigan with 311, Arizona with 274, Colorado with 258, and New York with 231. Estimates show a 22 percent average annual growth for EVs in use between 1992 and 1998. Vehicle manufacturers continue to improve technology and produce more and more EVs. The number of EVs made available grew from a level of about 500 in 1996 to more than 1,800 in 1998. Although 99 percent of the electric vehicles made available were battery powered hybrid vehicles increased slightly.
Most of the battery powered vehicles in use have lead or advanced lead acid batteries. But real world use of battery technology is broadening and other battery types (including nickel metal hydride and nickel cadmium batteries) were used in 43 percent of the EVs supplied in 1998. Due to future requirements for zero emission vehicles in California, Massachusetts, and New York, OEMs are obligated to develop EVs. Production of battery powered EVs will probably continue at a moderate pace as improvements in battery technology help to increase ranges. The price of advanced batteries must decrease, and the performance of advanced batteries must improve in order to produce and market an EV that will be widely accepted by today's consumer.
More use of hybrid EVs is expected in the future. Toyota has been selling its hybrid Prius in Japan and introduced the vehicle to the U.S. market in 2000. Honda started selling its hybrid, Insight, in the United States at the end of 1999. On the user side, Tempe, Arizona, has been using 31 hybrid electric buses that use LNG as their power source since 2001. The introduction of fuel cell EVs is also expected in the future. Although fuel cell applications for buses have been implemented, special emphasis is placed on development for light duty vehicles since these vehicles offer the greatest potential in energy and environmental benefits. The international divisions of OEMs and organizational partnerships seem to be spearheading the research, development, and market testing of fuel cell vehicles as evidenced by an extensive listing of global fuel cell activity from the Fuel Cells 2000/Breakthrough Technologies Institute (BTI). The California Fuel Cell Partnership, a unique collaboration of auto manufacturers, fuel providers, a fuel cell developer, and government agencies, placed about 50 fuel cell passenger cars and fuel cell buses on California roads for demonstration purposes between 2000 and 2003. Some OEMs made fuel cell EVs commercially available in 2004.
In Spring 1999, DaimlerChrysler made public its first fuel cell vehicle called NECAR 4 (short for New Electric Car), which is based on a Mercedes Benz compact car. DaimlerChrysler also developed NECAR 5 and a concept vehicle based on the Jeep Commander that utilizes a methanol hybrid fuel cell system. DaimlerChrysler has said that for fleet applications emphasis will be placed on using pure hydrogen fuel; for vehicles sold to the public, hydrogen reformed from methanol will be emphasized. Ford Motor Company produced a concept fuel cell vehicle called the P2000 Prodigy which operates using on board stored hydrogen and performs with the same efficiency as Ford's Taurus. Ford and Toyota have both designed a concept fuel cell Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). The goal of the OEMs is to ensure that safety, performance, and reliability of fuel cell vehicles meets the expectations of the driving public.
The extended range electric vehicle that is redefining the automotive world is no longer just a rumor. In fact, its propulsion system is so revolutionary it's unlike any other vehicle or electric car that's ever been introduced. And we're making this remarkable vision a reality so that one day you'll have the freedom to drive gas free. Chevy Volt is designed to move more than 75 percent of America's daily commuters without a single drop of gas:
(1) That means for someone who drives less than 40 miles a day Chevy Volt will use zero gasoline and produce zero emissions.
(2) Unlike traditional electric cars, Chevy Volt has a revolutionary propulsion system that takes you beyond the power of the battery. It will use a lithium-ion battery with a variety of range extending onboard power sources, including gas and, in some vehicles, E85 ethanol
(3) to recharge the battery while you drive beyond the 40 mile battery range. And when it comes to being plugged in Chevy Volt will be designed to use a common household plug.
1. Source Vol. 3, Issue 4, Oct. 2003 Omnistats - U.S. Dept. of Transportation, Bureau of Transportation Statistics.
2. Assumes fully charged battery. Actual range may vary depending on driving habits and conditions. Vehicle features and performance capabilities subject to change without notice.
3. E85 ethanol is 85% ethanol,2015% gasoline.
WHAT IS THE VOLT?:
The Volt is radically different than any on the road today. Although agreement about definitions vary, GM does not consider it a hybrid. Current hybrids cars, such as the Prius, are defined as parallel hybrids, meaning they have a small electric motor that moves the car when it is going slowly, but when speed or acceleration increases a gasoline motor kicks in. The Volt, however, is considered an extended range electric vehicle (E-REV). It has a very powerful all electric 161-horsepower 45KW (100 KW peak) motor that is the only engine to power the car at all times. This engine should be capable of moving the car from 0 to 60 in 8.5 seconds, and have a top speed of at least 100 mph.
The electric engine gets its power from a very powerful high voltage battery pack that can store enough energy to drive the car up to 40 miles in standard driving conditions. That battery pack is recharged by plugging the car into your home 110 (or 220) volt wall outlet just like you do your iPod or cell phone. The full charge cycle should take about 6 hours (3 hours at 220). Yes, this will increase your electric bill, but you will charge the car overnight when rates are lower. Much more importantly, you will need NO GASOLINE for drives up to 40 miles. So, if gas prices continue to go through the roof you really won't care. In most areas, your electricity costs should amount to a gas equivalent price of 50 cents per gallon. Studies suggest that 78% of drivers drive less than 40 miles per day.
Another very important feature of the Volt, and the reason some people (not GM) still consider it a hybrid, is that it will still have an on board gasoline/E85 combustion engine. Only in the Volt, this engine is the smaller one, and has only one task: it charges the battery pack when the stored power gets low. The motor is not connected to the wheels, it is only a generator. The brilliance of this feature is that you will have an overall driving range of 400 miles. The efficiency of this motor amounts to about 50 mpg for each gallon you use to charge the batteries. The old EV-1 did not have this function.
This gas motor will not need gears or transmission, and only has to run at a single rpm. It could also be considered an emergency generator. If you have to drive more than 40 miles you needn't worry because the generator will allow you to continue to drive. The electric motor also can generate a lot of instantaneous torque, and should be extremely responsive and not require gears either.
All the technology for the car is here today except for the battery pack. It will use lithium-ion (li-ion) technology.
Current hybrids use nickel-metal hydride (NiMh) which carry much less energy per unit weight. The li-ion cell technology exists but putting it into tested and safe packs is what will take some time. There are companies working with GM and trying to get these Li-ion batteries and their packs ready for automotive use.
- The car was first announced by General Motors (GM) in January 2007 as a concept car. This site, GM volt.com was created on the same date to help make sure the car would arrive.
- On June 3rd, 2008, GM CEO Rick Wagoner announced that the board of GM approved moving the Volt to production.
- On September 16th 2008, GM unveiled the production version Chevy Volt to the world. The anticipated launch date is November 2010.
In a major step forward towards production of the Chevy Volt, GM CEO Rick Wagoner announced that GM will move ahead to open a new engine factory in Flint, Michigan investing $370 million to do so. This 552,000 square factory will be tooled to assemble the special 4 cylinder 1.4 L combustion engine that will turn the Chevy Volt's generator. The plant will also produce the 1.4 L turbo version that will power the upcoming Cruze expected to achieve over 40 mpg. To help encourage GM to choose this location the state of Michigan had granted GM $132 million in tax incentives. GM has also requested further $136 million tax abatement from Detroit over 25 years in order for them to retool the Hamtramck plant to assemble the Volt.
Continental begins world's first mass production of Lithium-ion automotive battery packs on September 24th, 2008, Continental Automotive, one of the two Chevy Volt pack making team partners announced the opening of a new factory in Germany. The plant is being billed as the first in the world to mass manufacture lithium-ion battery packs for automotive use. The plant has the capacity to produce 15,000 packs per year which could be doubled at short notice. The 25 kg packs are actually for the Mercedes S400 Blue Hybrid which is slated to launch in mid 2009. These are non-plugin hybrid packs with a peak power of 19 kw. The packs include a battery management system to keep the cells in an optimum working environment from a charge and temperature perspective. This event is a very significant milestone in the global drive towards electrification of the automobile.
The House approved $25 Billion Loan for Chrysler, Ford, and GM September 24th, 2008. As times are getting tough all around this has been true for US automakers in particular. GM has been working hard to shore up liquidity to ride the economic downturn with the hopes of a 2010 recovery and the dawn of the Chevy Volt. On September 24th the US government gave them a boost. The House of Representatives approved a measure which was part of a larger spending bill that included the $7.5 billion in appropriations required to allow a $25 billion loan for Detroit.
The low interest loan was authorized to assist automakers in retooling their plants to make more fuel efficient vehicles. They could get the money early next year when at the same time a similar sized additional $25 billion dollar loan package is expected to be proposed. How and to whom the loan will be doled out won't be decided until next year. It is expected to pass the Senate and be signed by the President. GM spokesperson Renee Rashid-Merem told GM-Volt.com: "Although the Senate still needs to vote, we are pleased that it is likely the Congress has appropriated full funding for The Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program. Congress clearly recognizes the need to move forward at this critical time to make available this source of capital for automakers and suppliers. Authorized nearly a year ago, these direct, federal loans will support advanced technology development and implementation and will help speed the transition to cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles." Source (Forbes) (Reuters) (USA Today)
CHRYSLER GOES ELECTRIC
As you might have heard by now, Chrysler announced that they have three electric vehicles in running prototype form. These include the Dodge EV sportscar, the Jeep EV range extended electric vehicle, and the Chrysler EV range extended minivan. Chrysler indicates that these vehicles are "production intent" and that one of them will be produced for the North American market in 2010. Two years ago, Chrysler formed an internal organization for the development of electric vehicles called ENVI.The Dodge EV sports car has a 200 kw motor producing a 0 to 60 of less than 5 seconds, and a 150-200 mile range making it competitive with the Tesla roadster. The Jeep EV has a 200 kw motor, electric range of 40 miles and overall range of 400 miles. The Chrysler EV has a 190 kw motor, 40 mile EV range, and 400 mile total range. Chrysler says it will be working with GE, who is a major investor in A123, on battery development. It is unknown which of the 3 vehicles will be produced, and there is no word on price except to say "competitive." In an obvious stab at GM, Chrysler copresident Jim Press said "We are well ahead of where people think we are. Perhaps that's because we haven't tooted our horn up till now."
