Discussion on:

Is 2011 the year of electric vehicles?

I like to share my invention.
http://www.thekpv.com
The Hybrid Electric Kinetic Photovoltaic Vehicle

I hand-built this vehicle all myself. through trial and error over the past 2-3 years. It actually works.

This summer I plan to finish version 2.0
10-20lbs lighter weight, with more solar power generation.

I doubt it, unless the government buys them. I wouldn't want one in this cold weather and deep snow. How are the batteries at holding up at 10 degrees out?

Last year, when it was 10 below O. My Diesel would'nt start, My Buick would'nt start so I drove my Electric Car to Coffee.
Sparky

We have 2 diesel tractors and 2 diesel trucks at home and they start. Block heaters are a great thing; probably powered by coal plants, just like the electric cars.

Why can't I watch this video on my IPad?

Electric cars are a good idea,except they are not fully functional.Plug in cars and hi-breds are inefficient.They need to develope a self charger system ,like an alternator with the compacity to handle a full recharge of electric cells.

I have had an idea for the last twenty five year for an electric engine that selfrecharges with a built in generator and an offset altenator with a bank of voltage regulators to keep it running while idling to recharge the fuel cell or batteries.

The video extolling the virtues of Electric Cars seems to have
used the sounds of IC engined cars when showing Electrics in
motion. Why?

The point being made here is not trivial.The Electric Car will be
virtually soundless, particularly at lower speeds and as with all
characteristics there are benefits and dis-benefits.

The noiseless car will solve many environmental noise problems
but will also be a potential hazard to pedestrians crossing a road
i.e. no warning of presence or direction.

An interesting solution might be a requirement to generate an
artificial sound in all locations except perhaps the
Interstate/Motorway/Autobahn etc., here, this sound can be
switched off, leaving just aerodynamic noises to pollute the ether. Noise Level will indicate aerodynamic efficiency, the lower the
better.

As to the specifications of the "Artificial Noise", I am sure there will
be interesting discussions in National and International forums as
to necessary spectrum and amplitude.

Did you notice the spike in gas pump prices this winter? Neccesity is the mother of invention - let's go with the electric car now!

these are good Ideas for a car The problem is they don't go very far without having to be recharged. an option would be to have exercise machines to keep the batteries charged longer I wonder if this idea has been tried