BoatBanter.com - The right wing anti-technology types won't like this!!!

"Boating All Out" wrote in message
...

In article ,
says...

"BAR" wrote in message
. ..

A battery is an energy storage device.

------------------------------------

Exactly. It took some other form of energy to create the charge
in
the battery. Hocus Pocus.

Yeah, don't those fools who use flashlights know that they aren't
going
to work? And that car battery that starts the car, who would be so
foolish as to depend on that?

The ignorance is kind of funny. No concept of the advantage of
electric
power plant efficiency vs internal combustion engine efficiency.
Basically just knees jerking all over the place.
Expect that from BAR, but somewhat surprised that Richard wasn't more
thoughtful before saying what he did.
Kool-Aid has strange effects.

---------------------------------------------

I obviously speak an unknown foreign language when trying to discuss
anything with Iboaterer, so I'll try to do better with you.

All I was pointing out was that the energy contained in a battery
powered automobile was created somewhere outside of that battery.
It may have come from fossil fuels, including natural gas, hydro,
wind, solar nuclear or whatever. I think everyone realizes that. I
agree that the electric motor is far more efficient than a gasoline or
diesel powered engine in terms of converting stored energy into
something that produces useful work. No debate from me there.

My reasoning for being less than optimistic about battery powered
autos is not because I don't embrace new technology. Hell, I made a
decent living for almost 30 years living and breathing new technology.

My reasoning is more related to the public's likely acceptance of
battery power anytime in the near future due to it's current
limitations. If it isn't accepted (or mandated) the development of
better batteries and battery powered autos will suffer and be slow in
coming. Some companies have already gone belly up and the few that
show promise have been living off of federal subsidies. A major
shift to natural gas powered cars or maybe even a breakthrough in fuel
cell technology will put these strictly battery powered cars in the
archives of history.

The American culture includes freedom of movement. People travel and
often drive long distances. Battery powered vehicles just aren't up
to the task of seamlessly replacing conventional fossil fuel engines
without a major change in our driving habits, desires and overall love
affair with travel by car. Don't see that changing in the near term.

Most of the tiny, roller-skate-on-wheels electric cars being marketed
today are good for about 80 miles before recharge. A full recharge
takes 4-8 hours.
Not very comfortable and unrealistic for a 400 mile trip. They are
probably ideal for local, run to the store use, or short commuting
to work but the average family is going to need something more
substantial for longer trips. How many people are going to spend big
bucks for a battery powered, local commuter car in addition to the
standard, family sedan?

Some, like the Tesla Model S, claims a 265 mile range. Much better
but it requires a special type of charger designed specifically for
it's type of batteries and still takes an hour or so to recharge.
Nice car and all but at $80K for a "look at me, I'm Green" with still
limited range, it isn't going to do it for most.

One thing about lithium-ion batteries that has been known for years is
their poor performance at temperatures below freezing and more
importantly it's inability to be safely charged at temperatures at or
below freezing. There are many sources containing warnings about
this with regard to leaving your cell phone charging in your car and
the potential damage it can produce in the colder climates but I
haven't heard a thing about charging lithium ion car batteries at
below freezing temperatures. Has that problem been fixed? I haven't
heard boo.