Electric vehicles - are they really the future...?

Coxy · 30-01-12, 08:37 PM

With most major car companies having at least one electric vehicle in their range and some having 2 or 3 models, will Electric cars be the future of the roads in the UK and the and other EU countries?

An interesting fact but despite all the hype about electric vehicles, only 852 of them were sold in the UK in 2011, which is an exceedingly small number and probably equates to such a minuscule fraction of the car market that it almost seems pointless for car manufacturers to continue piling so much money in to developing something we don't really want.

The range issue will always be the main issue. When they crack that, I can see sales increasing tenfold although I'm sure the Government would soon find a way of taxing the "green" motorist.

missfire · 30-01-12, 08:38 PM

no. horses.

Coxy · 30-01-12, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by missfire

no. horses.

that's us sorted then, but what about the rest of ya!?!

missfire · 30-01-12, 08:43 PM

cows.

murran · 30-01-12, 08:47 PM

everything that works on batteries is rubbish.

Isimmo · 30-01-12, 08:47 PM

Battery technology is the limiting factor, regardless of the hype, it's not come on very much further than those used on a 1930's Milk Float... If they can overcome this, they'll be getting somewhere.

The electric motor is probably the future for cars, as it offers regenerative braking and high starting torque, but, in 2012, hybrid technology makes the benefits available without the 'flat battery' downside.

rich.r · 30-01-12, 09:01 PM

i expect car manufatrurers plough loads of money in because its not thier money its ours

just ask any woman if everything with batteries is rubbish

i can see hydrogen getting there once developers are funded correctly and allowed to get on with it but that would affect the top one percent of the rich so that wont happen

Minty · 30-01-12, 09:05 PM

They'll get there, and in our driving lifetimes for sure.

Look at the capabilities of a mobile phone battery in a 1987 brick and look at all the handheld stuff now. They'll crack it for cars in the same way, but perhaps with an interim phase of primary battery/electrical power but with on-the-move charging by a very small fossil fuel engine...

I find it hard to believe there will be the same driving fun we've all known though.

rich.r · 30-01-12, 09:28 PM

have a look at the ossa? trials bike electric with loads of torque just lacking in battery longevity

Isimmo · 30-01-12, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich.r

loads of torque just lacking in battery longevity

I know the feeling...

30-01-12, 08:47 PM	#6
Isimmo Super Moderator Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sissix-by-the-sea Posts: 15,218	Battery technology is the limiting factor, regardless of the hype, it's not come on very much further than those used on a 1930's Milk Float... If they can overcome this, they'll be getting somewhere. The electric motor is probably the future for cars, as it offers regenerative braking and high starting torque, but, in 2012, hybrid technology makes the benefits available without the 'flat battery' downside. __________________ 1985 WR quattro, 1985 20vT RallyRep, 1993 MTM ABY S2 Avant. 2010 S3 Sportback.

30-01-12, 08:38 PM	#2
missfire making wooden things Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: cow land Posts: 8,156	no. horses.

30-01-12, 08:43 PM	#4
missfire making wooden things Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: cow land Posts: 8,156	cows.

30-01-12, 08:47 PM	#5
murran Grown up member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 359	everything that works on batteries is rubbish.

30-01-12, 09:01 PM	#7
rich.r Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 1,832	i expect car manufatrurers plough loads of money in because its not thier money its ours just ask any woman if everything with batteries is rubbish i can see hydrogen getting there once developers are funded correctly and allowed to get on with it but that would affect the top one percent of the rich so that wont happen

30-01-12, 09:05 PM	#8
Minty Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,528	They'll get there, and in our driving lifetimes for sure. Look at the capabilities of a mobile phone battery in a 1987 brick and look at all the handheld stuff now. They'll crack it for cars in the same way, but perhaps with an interim phase of primary battery/electrical power but with on-the-move charging by a very small fossil fuel engine... I find it hard to believe there will be the same driving fun we've all known though.

30-01-12, 09:28 PM	#9
rich.r Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 1,832	have a look at the ossa? trials bike electric with loads of torque just lacking in battery longevity