Motor Authority - blog Tag: Batteries

We can't even count the number of performance-car owners and drivers who sneer at electric cars. Usually the phrase "golf carts" comes up.

Well, we guarantee that if you put each of them behind the wheel of a 2009 Tesla Roadster, they would emerge with their priorities radically re-sorted, starting to figure out where they can mount the recharging box in their garages. It's that kind of car.

Miracle torque

What causes this miraculous transformation? In a word, torque. Pure, seamless, unstoppable, rocket-to-the-moon torque.

No rev bands, no shift points, no heel-and-toeing. Just smooth and seemingly limitless power thrusting you forward,...

We can't even count the number of performance-car owners and drivers who sneer at electric cars. Usually the phrase "golf carts" comes up. Well, we guarantee that if you put each of them behind the wheel of a 2009 Tesla Roadster, they would emerge with their priorities radically re-sorted, starting to figure out where they can mount the recharging box in their garages. It's that kind of car. Miracle torque What causes this miraculous transformation? In a word, torque. Pure, seamless, unstoppable, rocket-to-the-moon torque. No rev bands, no shift points, no heel-and-toeing. Just smooth and seemingly limitless power thrusting you forward, again and again and again. Electric motors, remember, develop peak torque from 0 rpm. And the Tesla doesn't have a gearbox; the motor spins from 0 to 14,000 rpm to take the Roadster to its maximum speed of slightly above 100 miles per hour. All about acceleration And performance is really the whole point of the Tesla Roadster. Did we mention the 0-to-60-mph time of under 4 seconds? Even if the company doesn't survive, the 900 Roadsters they've delivered to date will stand as proof that electric power can not only be practical but also amazingly, wonderfully, laugh-out-loud fun to drive. (And, by the way, if you happen to live in Colorado, you can get a $42,000 tax credit against the Roadster's price of $109,000 if you complete the purchase before December 31 of this year. Shop now!) Pros and cons Acceleration, in fact, tops our list of things we like in TheCarConnection.com's review of the 2009 Tesla Roadster. The positives include: Acceleration that shames many so-called supercars Smooth and continuous rush of power at any speed Excellent roadholding Green credibility and awareness factor On the downside, the 2009 Roadster has more than a handful of issues: Range of much less than 200 miles if driven hard Amenities just as primitive as the Lotus, at twice the price Cockpit has essentially zero storage Deeply annoying: Recharge cord costs $600 to $3,000 extra Range: It depends The factory quotes a range of 240 miles, but the almost universal consensus is that if the car is driven to take advantage of that power, that number drops substantially. Earlier this year, we covered 58 road miles in three hours of hard driving up the twisty, hilly roads above Silicon Valley. The small information display, just above the driver's left knee, showed an indicated range that dropped from 202 miles to 110, so those 58 road miles used "92 miles" of projected range. Unlearning old habits Driving a Roadster most effectively requires unlearning some old habits. The first one is expecting engine noise: Switching on a 2009 Tesla—more accurately, powering up the car—lights up the instruments, silently. You know it's ready to roll when you hear a "bong" tone. The second is braking. Tesla's engineers have made the regenerative braking so natural that within about 10 minutes, you'll find you can drive it almost entirely on one pedal, modulating your liftoff to slow the car at greater or lesser rates. The Brembo brakes are only needed below 5 mph, when the (electronically simulated) "idle creep" kicks in. Point and squirt Finally, like any high-performance car, you need to make sure it's pointed just where you intend to go before you floor it. Otherwise, the Roadster straightens abruptly and accelerates right through the outside of your curve. It's that powerful. Contrary to popular wisdom, the car isn't silent. Behind the driver, the battery cooling system whirs. On acceleration, the motor hums like a "Star Wars" flying scooter. Wind noise drowns out those sounds above 30 mph, although stopped in traffic, you'll be amazed how loud the vehicles around you seem. It's NOT a Lotus! The Tesla communications folks get upset when journalists write that the Roadster is based on a Lotus Elise. While Lotus Engineering helped with the development, they prefer to say that the two cars may have a few items in common, but the Roadster has a larger cockpit (true) and performs better (true). It's also heavier, by the way, since the battery pack that houses 6,831 lithium-ion cell-phone batteries weighs 900 pounds all by itself. The Roadster is also at least partially assembled in the U.S., with the company adding U.S.-built lithium-ion battery packs to the non-running "gliders" it receives from the Lotus works in Hethel, England. Holding its own Tesla Motors sometimes seems to get as much press for management turmoil and startup drama as it does for its car, or rather car: The company now builds the Roadster, and a slightly hotter version, the Roadster Sport. And it has quite a ways to go before it can roll out its promised Model S midsize sports luxury sedan, currently slated for 2012. But the focus on the company's dramas is a shame, because the Roadster is fully capable of holding its own in performance with many far pricier two-seat sports cars from far more established brands. Just drive one. You'll see what we mean. Read More

A brand new electric car company has been established and plans to start selling its cars in the U.S. by the second half of next year. The new company is Coda Automotive, the latest brainchild of electric car entrepreneur Miles Rubin and based in Southern California. Coda’s first model will be a basic four-door midsized sedan packed with lithium-ion batteries and an electric motor driving the front wheels.

Scheduled for delivery in the fall of 2010 in California, the five-seater Coda sedan will be available for $45,000 (mid-$30,000s after including a $7,500 Federal tax credit and additional state incentives).

Powered by a 333V... A brand new electric car company has been established and plans to start selling its cars in the U.S. by the second half of next year. The new company is Coda Automotive, the latest brainchild of electric car entrepreneur Miles Rubin and based in Southern California. Coda’s first model will be a basic four-door midsized sedan packed with lithium-ion batteries and an electric motor driving the front wheels. Scheduled for delivery in the fall of 2010 in California, the five-seater Coda sedan will be available for $45,000 (mid-$30,000s after including a $7,500 Federal tax credit and additional state incentives). Powered by a 333V lithium-ion battery with a real-world range of 90 to 120 miles depending on individual driving habits, the Coda sedan travels far enough between charges to satisfy 94% of daily driving routines, according to its makers. The onboard charger plugs into any 110 or 220V standard outlet and completes a full charge in less than six hours at a 220V service. Charging the battery for a 40-mile commute can be completed in two hours. The battery system is the chief enabling technology for electric cars and Coda has established its strategic position in the development and commercialization of automotive grade battery systems through the joint venture with China’s Lishen. Lishen is one of the world's largest manufacturers of lithium-ion cells and a key supplier to Apple, Motorola, Samsung and Vodafone, among others. Together with Lishen, Coda eventually hopes to eventually start producing the advanced batteries in the U.S. as well. Featuring a fraction of the moving parts of a gas-powered vehicle, the Coda sedan is less susceptible to wear-and-tear and never requires an oil change. The company estimates that it will cost less than $3, on average, to drive 100 miles. A comparable petrol-powered sedan that gets 20mpg costs about $17 per 100 miles. Driving a Coda equates to over $2,000 in operation and maintenance savings per year at normal driving rates, which equates to $20,000 in savings over a ten year period. Currently, Coda has only announced sale plans for the Californian market but if successful expect to see the new sedan plus future models sold across the country.Coda Automotive electric sedan Read More

Solving the problem of storing enough energy in a dense enough package without undue cost, weight or danger is the primary hurdle facing hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) today. Toshiba has already developed a battery technology that could make significant strides toward solving that problem, and late last year it announced plans to build up to 3 million of the high-tech cells per month starting in 2010. Today the company revealed that it has sped up charging times to just 90 seconds.

Jumping into the automotive world of battery production is a major step for Toshiba. Ramping up to 3 million cells per month would mean a 2000% increase in... Solving the problem of storing enough energy in a dense enough package without undue cost, weight or danger is the primary hurdle facing hybrids and electric vehicles (EVs) today. Toshiba has already developed a battery technology that could make significant strides toward solving that problem, and late last year it announced plans to build up to 3 million of the high-tech cells per month starting in 2010. Today the company revealed that it has sped up charging times to just 90 seconds. Jumping into the automotive world of battery production is a major step for Toshiba. Ramping up to 3 million cells per month would mean a 2000% increase in production over previous levels - the company made about 150,000 cells per month last year, primarily for electric bicycles. The SCiB lithium batteries, as Toshiba calls its advanced lithium-ion cells, are impressive in their statistics. Just a few months ago the batteries were charging up to 90% in just 5 minutes, with a 10-year lifespan and a broad range of operating temperatures. Now the company has revealed it has figured out how to push that time back to just 90 seconds, reports Business Green - quicker than a fuel fill-up. Due to their robust nature, the batteries are ideally suited to the automotive application. A five-minute stop to 'fill up' with electrons would equate to a typical fuel stop for a gasoline-powered car, and the long-lasting, temperature-independent nature suits them to the hard use a typical vehicle sees over its life. Another benefit to the SCiB technology is that it reduces the likelihood of spontaneous combustion common to typical lithium-ion cells, made famous (or infamous) by overheating laptop batteries. The super-quick charge times are also homing in on the capabilities of so-called super-capacitors, though it's not yet been revealed if the SCiB batteries can discharge as quickly as they charge, making high-power-output applications possible as well. To achieve its high production goals, Toshiba will be investing over $194 million into its production facilities. For more on the battery technology, and its implications for the automotive world, read our original coverage here or Toshiba's plans to work with Volkswagen on EVs. Read More

It's not often that major automakers push production dates ahead in time rather than back, especially with the current economic conditions, but Nissan might be doing just that with its electric vehicle program. While earlier Nissan was claiming that its first mass-produced electric vehicle would not be reaching dealerships in the U.S. before 2012, the company now states that this date could come as early as 2010.

The news comes from Nissan's director of product planning and strategy, Mark Perry, who explained to Automotive News that "if a market is ready for it" the company is open to the possibility of moving in earlier with its electric... It's not often that major automakers push production dates ahead in time rather than back, especially with the current economic conditions, but Nissan might be doing just that with its electric vehicle program. While earlier Nissan was claiming that its first mass-produced electric vehicle would not be reaching dealerships in the U.S. before 2012, the company now states that this date could come as early as 2010. The news comes from Nissan's director of product planning and strategy, Mark Perry, who explained to Automotive News that "if a market is ready for it" the company is open to the possibility of moving in earlier with its electric vehicle program. Previously, Nissan had announced that it would begin electric vehicle sales in 2010 but only for commercial users and fleet purposes. The latest change in heart may come from a greater interest in electric vehicles following last year’s fuel price spike, as well as increased environmental consciousness and Nissan’s own need to keep up with its rivals. In related news, Nissan is working with California's San Diego Gas & Electric in a partnership to determine the best ways to implement recharging facilities for electric vehicles in that city. This will include recharging facilities for the home, as well as for a larger recharging infrastructure for the city. Nissan already has similar partnerships with utilities in the state of Tennessee, Oregon and Tucson.Nissan next-generation electric and hybrid prototypes Read More

As the traditional car industry struggles against a lack of consumer credit, economic instability and its own growing pains, several of the major players are forging ahead with next-generation vehicle programs, including all-electric zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs). Nissan has been at the forefront of the field, alongside corporate partner Renault, for some time, and today it plans to kick of a U.S. tour with its newest ZEVs, starting in San Diego.

A ride-and-drive program with San Diego Gas & Electric hosting the community leaders and fleet operators will expose people to the potential for EVs and ZEVs with Nissan's lithium-ion battery pack... As the traditional car industry struggles against a lack of consumer credit, economic instability and its own growing pains, several of the major players are forging ahead with next-generation vehicle programs, including all-electric zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs). Nissan has been at the forefront of the field, alongside corporate partner Renault, for some time, and today it plans to kick of a U.S. tour with its newest ZEVs, starting in San Diego. A ride-and-drive program with San Diego Gas & Electric hosting the community leaders and fleet operators will expose people to the potential for EVs and ZEVs with Nissan's lithium-ion battery pack and electric drivetrain. Nissan has lately been working on a number of electric-drive concepts and fleet test vehicles, including the EV-02 prototype, the NV2500 commercial van, the Denki Cube concept EV, and a number of previous concepts. Earlier this month the company announced a new ZEV partnership program in Tucson, Arizona, and a production EV with a leased battery pack is expected to hit the streets by 2010. The event is presently underway, with a press conference scheduled for later in the day. Nissan hasn't announced when or where the next leg of the coast-to-coast tour will be, but with a start in San Diego, expect some movement up the Pacific coastline before the journey east begins.Nissan next-generation electric and hybrid prototypes Read More

With figures that equal the proposed Chevrolet Volt without the wait and with the familiarity of the highly successful Toyota Prius platform, California outfit Jungle Motors may have a winner on their hands with their plug-in hybrid conversion kit. The company has been in the business of converting all sorts of cars to pure-electric vehicles and building lead-acid Prius plug-in hybrids for some time.

The new Prius plug-ins feature lithium-ion phosphate, or 'LifePO4' batteries, which promise greater power density and expanded range in comparison to the lead-acid models. In fact, Jungle Motors claims an all-electric driving range of over 40mi... With figures that equal the proposed Chevrolet Volt without the wait and with the familiarity of the highly successful Toyota Prius platform, California outfit Jungle Motors may have a winner on their hands with their plug-in hybrid conversion kit. The company has been in the business of converting all sorts of cars to pure-electric vehicles and building lead-acid Prius plug-in hybrids for some time. The new Prius plug-ins feature lithium-ion phosphate, or 'LifePO4' batteries, which promise greater power density and expanded range in comparison to the lead-acid models. In fact, Jungle Motors claims an all-electric driving range of over 40mi (64km) and an average fuel efficiency of 100mpg in a combination of 'battery only' and 'enhanced' hybrid mode, reports Gas2.0. Cost isn't a major issue, especially compared to the projected $40,000 price tag of the Volt. For $4,995 the company will sell a DIY Prius conversion kit for 2004-2009 models, or for $6,499 will install it for you. Sales of the new kit are planned to start in February, 2009. Toyota has plans to release its own plug-in hybrid version of the Prius, expected to arrive shortly before the Chevy Volt, which is expected to be its main competitor, but neither car is expected to arrive before 2010, putting Jungle Motors' conversion in a prime position for the near future.Toyota plug-in hybrid Prius in UK Read More