Plug-in Cars are a Farce!!!

DarthDubious's picture

I keep reading in different publications about the development of new electric vehicles; how great they are going to be, how fast they are from 0-60 mph, and that they take only 2.5 hours top recharge their big lithium-ion batteries.

Sorry folks, but I have a problem with this plug-in concept. I am not a licensed electrician, but I have worked off and on in the industry for over 15 years. You cannot convince me that it is necessary to plug a car into a 120 volt receptacle to recharge it. Here’s why: if a wheel is turning at the rates a car travels down the road, it should be able to use that energy to operate a generator, or alternator at the same time to recharge the batteries without the inconvenient EXPENSE of plugging it into the power grid, thus increasing the home electric bill!

Maybe there’s something I’m missing. I’m not a math wizard, but I KNOW how electricity works. The only reason that I can see for this plug-in car concept is to keep putting money into the pockets of oil companies through power plants, since gasoline would eventually be phased out.

I know at this time there are more important things to blog about, but this really sticks in my craw.

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Electric Motors are only...
Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Wed, 01/14/2009 - 8:31pm.

80 to 90% efficient. Add in running lights, A/C, radio and accessories and eventually there is an energy deficit that requires a plug to replenish.
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LIVE WIRE Cyclist
Submitted by mysteryman on Wed, 01/14/2009 - 8:51pm.

Even if all vehicles were converted to electric we still would rely on fossil fuels to slake our thirst for society as we know it. Most people living in suburbia are to far out of range from there jobs to make this a viable solution anyway, and as you stated they still have to be plugged in at the end of the day, hence can you imagine a $1000 dollar a month powerbill at your house to juice up the car. I mean people are struggling now just to pay he bills and keep the lights and heat on... Wake up people it has to come from somewhere E=mc 2..Look it up. Or as my friend Cyclist would suggest.....Rent DR STRANGELOVE, next time your at Blockbuster and enlighten yourself, as Slim Pickens did..GOD BLESS...

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You are absolutely right!
Gamma Sherri's picture
Submitted by Gamma Sherri on Wed, 01/14/2009 - 2:18pm.

This concept already works with Toyota's use of the brakes to transfer energy to rebuild the batteries in their cars. The problem, as I understand it, is in the batteries themselves. They cannot hold enough of the energy, so much is wasted and all the energy created cannot be used toward moving the vehicle. Bigger batteries are not the answer because of their weight. I understand that lots of scientists are working on the problem now.

The "electric" car is not going to solve that problem at all -- they will be using the same battery, they'll just be using wasteful energy to charge it -- via the electric company! I'm with you, it's all a farce.

PLUS, did you see the price of the electric car? Over $40K! WHAT?!? Why would anyone want to buy a Volt (a small car) for $40K, when they can buy a Toyota Hybrid Highlander (a SUV 7 seater) for the same price? Plus, Toyota's hybrid cars have been on the road now for years and are debugged.

If the Volt is a result of our "superior" American Engineering, gawd help us.

I've been looking at the Toyota Highlander for a few years now, since the grandbabies have "showed up." My aging Pontiac will need to be replaced, but I just don't want to have a car payment, so I'm trying to save up for the Highlander. But my Pontiac just keeps moving along, so as long as it is moving, I'm keeping it. What better recycling than to use something until it is all used up! Smiling

Make a difference for your grandchildren - recycle!


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FORD PINTO
Submitted by mysteryman on Wed, 01/14/2009 - 8:12pm.

Bring back the pinto, it got 30 miles a gallon and had none of the ignorant systems the big three have masterminded today. Oh yeah it did not have fuel injection for if it had it would have probably got 50 miles a gallon, we could also mount a solar array on the factory roof rack as well. And replace all the body panel that were steel with plastic. so that it would still cost $3995, just like the focus should,being it is nothing more than a garbage can with and engine. Get real no bailout for the big three, the other day they proposed to Washington to raise the gasoline taxes to be more in line with Europe. So that people will be encouraged to buy their small cars that they have supposedly invested so much money in. Nonsense Toyota and Nissan have been selling small cars here in the U.S. since 1969 and have just about put the big three out of bussiness. The only this that has prevented this from happening already is the fact that the U.S. government will not let foriegn automakers bring 3/4 ton and 1 ton vehicles into the U.S. for if the did the big three would have been out of bussiness long ago... GOD BLESS...

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Or just ride a....
Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Wed, 01/14/2009 - 8:17pm.

bicycle. Eye-wink
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.


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