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Electric - too good to be true?

22 messages,  Last post on Aug 22, 2009 at 12:26 PM

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What is this discussion about? Concept Cars, Future Vehicle, Truck, SUV

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#15 of 22 Will BMW be the first with an EV in the USA? by gagrice Jul 12, 2008 (4:32 pm)
500 electric Minis coming to California Posted Jul 9th 2008 at 12:39PM by Jeremy Korzeniewski   Although there may be a very small number of BMW's Mini on American roads that have already been converted by individuals or aftermarket folks to run on electricity, now the factory is going to get in the game itself. Five-hundred Minis will come off the line in Oxford, England sans drivetrain. The powerless shells will be sent to Germany painted silver with contrasting yellow roofs... what, no green motif? Workers in Munich will convert the vehicles into battery electrics, and the cars will then be shipped to California where they will be offered for sale. Unofficially, that is, as BMW has yet to confirm these plans, though that just seems like a formality at this point. Therefore, we don't have any specifications or pricing information to share just yet.   BMW could be making more electric vehicle plans as we speak, as the German automakers claims it is considering a line of zero emissions vehicles. What's more, rumblings have been heard of an Isetta revival as well, and those rumors also indicate a possible electric version of the smart competitor.   http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/07/09/500-electric-minis-coming-to-california/- Replies to this message: tpe (Jul 22, 2008 3:44 pm) gagrice (Jul 23, 2008 8:14 am)
#16 of 22 Re: Will BMW be the first with an EV in the USA? [gagrice] by tpe Jul 22, 2008 (3:44 pm)
Replying to: gagrice (Jul 12, 2008 4:32 pm) I saw another article on cnnfn.com today stating the same thing in regards to BMW's desire to bring a Mini EV to the market in 2009. It's hard to ignore that there is currently an unprecedented movement amongst the auto manufacturers to produce EVs. Even if you aren't an EV advocate it will be interesting to see what these efforts produce. Replies to this message: gagrice (Jul 23, 2008 8:14 am)
#17 of 22 Re: Will BMW be the first with an EV in the USA? [tpe] by gagrice Jul 23, 2008 (8:14 am)
Replying to: tpe (Jul 22, 2008 3:44 pm) I would like an EV for running errands. Never having to go to a gas station would be great. Just plug that puppy in. That said my practical side always gets involved in my decisions. I do not do things to be green or blue or any other color. I spend money on something I like or need with my personal pleasure and comfort first and foremost. Well actually my wife's comfort. When they start tossing out numbers like $38k and up I start to lose interest real fast. I would have NEVER bought this Sequoia if it was not $5000 under invoice. I just do not waste my cash to be an early adopter.   Now that Mini EV may be an exception for me. Probably not though.
#18 of 22 Re: Um, 480 volts? [reddroverr] by nanookie Oct 05, 2008 (2:53 am)
Replying to: reddroverr (Jun 25, 2008 9:05 pm) Sorry, but it doesn't work that way. You can get 240 volts because you have two 120 volt legs that are 120 volts relative to neutral (which is usually at ground potential) and 180 degrees out of phase with each other.   You've only got those two legs; using more slots on the breaker box won't give you any more voltage. You'll need a step-up transformer or an electronic voltage multiplier to get voltages higher than 240 volts. Transformers at that power level are going to be heavy, bulky, and expensive, and a voltage multiplier with that current level would require some pretty hefty capacitors.   Other methods are possible such as chopping into high frequency AC, say 40 Khz or something, and then using a transformer operating at that higher frequency. The higher the frequency, the less copper is required, but then you start getting higher hysteresis losses in the core so it's a trade-off.
#19 of 22 Too good to be true? by pf_flyer HOST Nov 12, 2008 (6:00 pm)
Well, I think that EV proponents may tend to gloss over the infrastructure changes needed if we all of a sudden found most of our fleet being comprised of EV's   Not that it can't be done, but it's not going to be like flipping a switch! (pun intended)
#20 of 22 press request by kirstie_h HOST Nov 13, 2008 (3:15 am)
A reporter would like to speak with consumers who are considering BMW’s electric Mini Cooper lease. If you are interested in this vehicle or currently drive an electric car, please respond to jwahledmunds.com with your daytime contact information no later than Monday, November 17th.      Thanks, Jonathan Wahl Corporate Communications Edmunds Inc.
#21 of 22 Home built EV drag race car by gagrice Jan 31, 2009 (5:24 am)
This guy is having fun with his home built Datsun EV. Running the quarter in 11 seconds is not too shabby. Not sure the Tesla would beat him.   http://www.opb.org/programs/ofg/videos/view/56-Electric-Drag-Racing
#22 of 22 480 volts for Phoenix by akjbmw Aug 22, 2009 (12:26 pm)
Perhaps part of the problems the Phoenix has had is that they don't address the power options. As I recall, it was quite a while ago in response to my specific question, that the "show and tell" folks said that there was an "adaptor" that would allow using home power to recharge, it just took proportionately longer.   The ride was "sporty" in nature. I guessed in response to the heavier battery load on the suspension. My old bones like a softer ride. My '98 K1500 rode smoother. Perhaps a different spring-rate.   Still, a lot of dollars for the privilege to embarrass the hot-rodders like my '62 Comet with a 351 stuffed in it. That was a different time and a different topic...

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