Electric Cars: Why They are the Best Alternatives

Electric cars, as the name indicates, are vehicles that work on electricity and whose only source of power is electricity. They are also known as battery electric vehicles. The most advantageous feature of electric cars is that they are zero emission vehicles and so, do not pollute the atmosphere.

The number of parts in an electric car is also less as against other hybrid cars or cars that run on gas. The noise from electric cars is almost negligible. Basically, an electric car is made up of a simple frame, wheels, an electric motor, car battery and an electric on and off switch. The engine of the electric car is made up of a series of batteries that are attached to an on and off switch and it is in turn, attached to a motor that is electrically operated. Obviously, the electric motor drives the wheels and sets the car in motion.

The amount of electricity that goes into the motor is controlled to drive the vehicle in a controlled manner. There are solar cars available that convert solar energy into electricity. The electricity that is stored within the battery of an electric car can be generated from any source, apart from solar, like nuclear, natural gas, coal and petroleum.?

Since electric cars have a low center of gravity, the initial acceleration is quite rapid and can be handled quite easily. But, the fact of the matter is, that the lithium ion batteries used in cars are very expensive making the overall price of the car expensive and these batteries have to be replaced once in three or four years. In addition, the charging of the battery takes almost three or four hours to fully recharge and therefore needs prior planning, if the electric car is to be used for longer distances.

This also means that the batteries can be charged only from the initial point of journey because there may not be too many charging stations on the way. People also feel that the electric cars are not most suitable for driving long distances and can be nightmarish, if the car runs out of battery or in the midst of busy traffic.

Normally, an electric car offers the equivalent of twenty miles per gallon and the cost to run a mile is nearly three cents. Further more; there is no expenditure on tune ups, oil changes and the like in an electric car. So, people who are environment friendly and want to paint a greener world can opt for an electric car.

The choice would not only be appreciated by others but it would also fill the pocket of the owner because it saves a lot of fuel in the long run. Even though man affords to purchase oil what with soaring oil prices, oil is a depleting natural resource and it is our duty to save this resource for our future generations.

Solar Powered Cars

Environmental concerns are leading to new trends in the automotive market. Some of these changing trends are currently under study and being put into practice. Solar powered cars are not new ideas but the changing technology and evolution of the idea is. Solar power can be used for energy in many things and cars is just another of them. Though many people feel that solar power is a great solution for the current fossil fuel problems, there are disadvantages to using it. Like with any energy source, it will have both positive and negative points.

Currently, it is not all that simple for science to discover a way to effectively draw and use solar energy. Solar panels are often required, similar to the ones found on a calculator. However, it is not really all that realistic to line the outside of your car with solar panels. It is not efficient and most drivers would laugh at the idea. Switching away from fossil fuels should be easier than that if it is to appeal to drivers in mass amounts. If it is difficult then people will not be likely to make the switch.

Solar cars would also need to be fully equipped with special gauges that measure the amount of energy, how much is being consumed by the car and how much is remaining. Drivers would have to be able to understand these gauges and utilize them. It could be possible to have a solar powered car that does not have many gauges but that would require an entirely different set up. The solar cars that are currently in production have only three wheels which is not something that is going to be acceptable on the current cars of today.

Science is currently testing many types of solar powered cars by racing them. This is a great way to test the limits and functionality of using solar power. Solar powered bicycles are already being produced and used. Perhaps this is a better place to start since cars do not seem ready to become solar powered machines. Though it is a great idea, it is not yet ready for the North American public. Solar cars that are currently in production are very small and can usually only hold one person, which is the driver. This type of car would not be approved in the United States based on the current safety standards required.

It is quite obvious that one negative aspect of solar energy is being able to use it when the sun is not shining or during an overcast day. Many improvements need to be made for this to be a viable alternative to fossil fuels. Having solar cells on the vehicle will not be all that convenient for drivers either. Having a solar powered vehicle would be a great option if it was ready to be released in mass quantities. However, at this stage in the development it just is not a conceivable idea. Solar energy is a fantastic natural resource. With further study, hopefully it can soon be a realistic petroleum alternative.

Top 7 Myths About Environmentally Friendly Cars

One can never believe every word in online or newspaper articles by 100 percent because there are always misconceptions and false information. When it comes to green cars, which include electric, cell-powered, hybrid and solar cars, we discover several myths about them as well. Some of them are just useful for car manufacturers; the others come as a result of common misunderstanding. Nevertheless one should think those facts over if one considers buying a green car.

Myth #1 – Greenest Cars Are Very Expensive

Most people believe that environmentally friendly cars are sold at a high price and are not affordable for people with low income. However there are some electric cars that cost as much as average gasoline vehicles.

Myth #2 ? With a Green Car There Are No High Maintenance Expenses

Even though a green car may seem to be a reliable mechanism made of durable parts, driving and using such a car has some hidden maintenance expenses. Since electric cars run on rechargeable batteries they need to be recharged quite often which might be rather costly considering the price for electricity nowadays. Moreover sooner or later rechargeable batteries will have to be replaced with new ones which are quite expensive as well.

Myth #3 ? Greenest Cars Are The Most Environmentally Friendly

It?s true that green cars help to reduce pollution and produce less exhaust fumes than most conventional gasoline vehicles but as a matter of fact greenest cars are not that green. Even though some hybrid cars run on electric power or hydrogen at low speeds combined with usage of a gasoline engine only at higher speeds, they still use a lot of gas and do pollute the atmosphere. Some specialists believe that buying a small economy car is more environmentally friendly than buying a powerful hybrid car.

Myth #4 ? Greenest Cars Are Widely-Spread

With all the big talk and spirited debates about green cars one may come to a conclusion that these cars are best-selling, widely-distributed and they start ?driving? gasoline cars out of the car market. However the production of green cars makes only 1.8 percent of the whole US car market and it will take quite a long time before they start playing any considerable part in it.

Myth #5 ? All Green Cars Are Absolutely Safe

Driving some types of environmentally friendly cars such as most cell-powered and some hybrid cars with hydrogen engines makes them extremely dangerous on the road. In case of any collision the explosion of hydrogen accompanied by oxygen which is also used in such engines might cover vast areas.

Myth #6 ? Most Green Cars Are Small and Uncomfortable Inside

This statement might be fair only if we talk about such a representative of green cars as a Smart car. However the majority of environmentally friendly cars is as spacious as conventional vehicles and has a rather big storage space.

Myth #7 ? Electric Cars Can Operate Long Hours without Recharging

In fact most electric cars can be driven only 35 miles. After that the batteries need to be recharged. Thus if you travel long distances by car an electric vehicle is not what you need.

Environmentally Friendly Cars

Environmentally friendly cars are supposed to be the vehicles of future? generations. Nevertheless such cars exist now and are becoming more popular in the modern car market than conventional vehicles which work on fossil fuels. The advantages of such cars are not only in their lower harmfulness for the environment and people?s health but also in the lower fuel costs. However their production is rather expensive, so it is a moot point both for the customers and the automobile manufacturers. So they are more expensive to buy but they pay for themselves in a period of about 5 years because they consume less expensive fuels.

Here are the common types of environmentally friendly cars:

- Electric cars;

- Fuel-cell-powered cars (hydrogen and oxygen cars);

- Hybrid cars;

- Solar cars.

Electric cars operate on rechargeable batteries which are the most expensive parts of this type of vehicles. Most electric cars look like conventional vehicles and one usually cannot tell them apart. Electric cars are very quiet and produce no exhaust fumes at all. The interior of the cars is stuffed with wiring harness.

Fuel-cell-powered cars operate on chemical reactions between different fuel cells (like hydrogen and oxygen) which merge to turn into a new matter. As a matter of fact fuel-cell-powered cars are similar to electric cars because they work on electricity which comes as a result of such chemical reactions. They are also as quiet and ecological as electric ones, plus fuel-cell-powered cars almost don?t need any maintenance or repairs because there is almost no friction between the car parts of such vehicles. All in all this kind of environmentally friendly cars is supposed to be very economical and ecological and could be the champion among green cars but for one essential aspect ? hydrogen is a very flammable gas and when it comes with oxygen a car accident can be very destructive.

Hybrid cars are something in between electric cars, fuel-cell-powered cars or gasoline cars. They are very ecological and produce almost no exhaust fumes. Hybrid cars are more widespread than other environmentally friendly cars.

Solar cars operate on the solar energy which they accumulate with the help of built-in solar panels. Solar cars have a very peculiar shape which most likely resembles spaceships from Star Wars. They are more uncommon and are not produced on regular basis. They can be driven at high speeds for a long time powered only by the energy of the sun.

Environmentally friendly cars have become the choice of many people who decided to reduce the influence of burning fossil fuels on the nature.

Solar Cars – from dream to reality

For years, the idea that a car could be powered directly by sunlight has been suggested as a future possibility.? Universities have built solar powered racers ? small, ultra-lightweight and cramped vehicles built with bicycle parts, but a practical car has remained a myth.? Until now.

In France, Venturi ? a specialist sports car manufacturer ? have been developing a brand new three seater city car that can be purely powered by sunlight.? Meanwhile, in India, electric car manufacturer Reva have been demonstrating a solar powered version of their four seat city car.

Venturi say they will have their car in production and available for sale by the end of 2009.

Both cars are electric cars designed for inner city use.? The solar panels fitted on the roof charge the batteries and provide a solar-only charge of up to 5 miles (8 km) a day.? The range can be increased by plugging the car into an electrical mains socket if necessary.

Whilst the solar range may not seem much, there are many drivers who only ever use their cars for short journeys and who only use their cars once or twice a week.? For these people, a solar car now has the potential to provide these people with transport entirely powered by the sun.

For obvious reasons, these solar cars are best suited to sunny climates.? However, even in colder climates, solar powered cars may have a future: the batteries in an electric car benefit from being constantly trickle charged when not in use in order to maintain their internal temperature ? so even in winter, solar power has the potential to significantly increase the range of an electric car by maintaining the temperature of the batteries when the car is not in use.

With the ongoing development of electric cars and the advancement of solar panels with better capacities and lower costs, it may not be that long before solar electric cars can become a common sight on our roads.

Solar Cars: The Oldest Energy Around

With zero emissions, solar cars present a sunny solution to eco-friendly car buyers. It also makes good sense to develop a green car technology that doesn’t call for a complicated infrastructure or any type of fueling station. What could be easier than using an already existing energy source like the Sun, right? After all it was around since the beginning of the solar system, well before fossil fuel. If it were only that simple, we’d probably already have done it. In spite of universities and corporations building solar cars every year for the past 20 years for the annual Australian World Solar Challenge solar car race, we’re not quite there yet.

How do they work?

A solar car is really an electric vehicle powered by solar energy. Photovoltaic (PV) cells in the form of solar panels convert sunlight into electrical energy. The process generates heat, which is converted into electrical energy and stored in an on-board battery. The battery serves the same basic purpose as a gas tank on an internal combustion car.?

In spite of the great bounty of sunshine there for the taking, solar car technology is elusive. The solar electric power source needs a lot of PV cells, which are expensive, and the efficiency level of PVs is estimated to be only 10% to 15%. These are daunting challenges facing engineers, and it’s more likely a hybrid solar with another fuel source is the only viable option in the near future, yet the concept is intriguing enough for engineers inside and outside universities to take a pure solar car prototype into a more advanced development stage.

Are there any solar cars out there?

French manufacturer Venturi says their solar electric AstroLab hybrid concept car yields an improved PV cell efficiency level of 21%. It’s not exactly a family car with its 2-seat tandem cockpit configuration, but it’s one possibility. The Hungarian manufacturer Antro has designed a solar gas-electric hybrid other wise known as a tribrid scheduled for production in 2012, and Tesla Motors has an electric car that can be recharged with solar power with 2009 models available in the U.S. and Europe. These are only the first advances in solar car technology. As time goes on more and more manufacturers will be developing and incorporating some type of solar technology into preexisting propulsion systems. This will create a new sort of hybrid, disconnected from fossil fuels, yet still not fully reliant on the Sun’s energy

Perhaps with the recent high intensity photvoltaic cells designed by a company in Israel, many of the energy efficiency problems will be taken care of. It is not clear though if they can be designed for cars.

Conclusion

Solar energy and more specifically solar cars would be an amazing advancement in future car technology. They would allow for free travel and nearly unlimited accessibility. Time will tell if all the problems associated with harnessing the world’s oldest energy source can be dealt with. If the hurdles can be passed then for sure solar cars will be the wave of the future.

Industrial 12-Volt w/ Lighter Plug, Model 735X125 – Solar-powered system designed for heavily-used or stored vehicles and equipment such as cars, trucks, vans, RVs, construction and agricultural equipment. Eliminates sulphur from lead plates and trickle charges all 6- and 12-volt lead-acid batteries. Includes a plug that fits into the vehicle cigarette lighter socket.

• Prevents dead batteries by keeping batteries in like-new condition all the time
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• Renews dead batteries suffering from sulfation buildup and helps bring them back to life
• Increases battery life span up to three times longer
• Prevents the normal loss of battery power on stored vehicles no matter how long they sit unused

Product Description
Solargizer is a proven, solar-powered electronic device that uses our revolutionary ReNew-IT Pulse Technology? to safely prevent the main cause of battery problems and failure: sulfation buildup on lead-acid battery plates. Used extensively by consumers and the U.S. Military worldwide for almost ten years, this technology has been scientifically proven by two major universities to make batteries work harder and last longer than you ever thought possible…. More >>

Industrial 12-Volt w/ Lighter Plug, Model 735X125 – Solar-powered system designed for heavily-used or stored vehicles and equipment such as cars, trucks, vans, RVs, construction and agricultural equipment. Eliminates sulphur from lead plates and trickle charges all 6- and 12-volt lead-acid batteries. Includes a plug that fits into the vehicle cigarette lighter socket.

Solar Cars

The “Almost” Forgotten Energy

Absoprtion of solar energy by atmospheric convection, evaporation and condensation of water vapor powers the worldwide water cycles and determines and drives wind streams. Solar energy converted into chemical energy via photosynthesis produces food, wood and the biomass from which fossil fuels are derived. Solar radiation and sunlight, with the addition of a variety of solar resources, accounts for 99.9% of the renewable energy on Earth! The available stores of solar energy accessible in the natural environment way beyond sufficient in comparison to current human energy needs.

Solar energy technologies and other technologies that use sunlight and secondary solar resources are critical to the current green/cleantech revolution.

Technologies using solar energy, such as photovoltaics and water heaters increase the supply of energy while technologies including passive design and shading devices reduce the need for alternate resources and may be characterized as demand side. Enhancing the performance of solar technologies have become massive projects for governments and alternative energy companies who have established niche markets for products, services, and expertise. These solar technologies are currently being developed in conjuction with automobile manufacturers to revolutionize the resorces available for personal and mass transportation.

The Technology

Solar power technologies convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaics, solar thermal devices, or a plethora of experimental technologies. A solar cell, or PV cell, is a device that converts light into direct current to generate power for small and medium-sized devices. For example, the calculator is powered by a single solar cell, but massive increases in demands for alternative energy sources are revealing trends worlwide toward the construction of larger photovoltaic power stations.

The History

The high cost of solar cells limited development and production in the early stages of this emerging technology. Recent applications of solar energy have proven very successful. Energy shortages such as the 1973 Oil Crisis and the current rise in price of oil have shifted government resources to pursue solar energy as a legitimate alternative energy source. Over the past decade the United States, Japan and Germany have provided the infusion of funding and support for research and development of solar power. France, Italy, and South Korea have followed with programs and critical funding for solar energy research.

Rays of Sun versus “Liquid Gold”

A solar vehicle is an electric vehicle powered by solar energy obtained from solar panels on the surface of the vehicle. At present, solar powered vehicles are not practical for day-to-day transportation.The creation of a viable everyday solar powered automobile has been an engineering challenge for several decades.The center of this development is the World Solar Challenge, a biannual solar-powered car race in which teams from universities and enterprises compete over 3,021 kilometers, or1,877 miles, across central Australia.

The research and development of solar cars has resulted in technology and engineering utilized from industries including, but not limited to aerospace, bicycle, alternative energy, and automotive technology. At present the design of a solar vehicle is severely limited by accessibility and storage of the energy, via solar panels and solar energy, needed to power such a vehicle.To date, solar cars are still in developmental stages and though they contain many of the features available to drivers of traditional vehicles often contain space for only a driver and one passenger.

The Systems

In the solar car the battery pack plays the identical role of a petrol tank in a normal car. The battery pack stores power, or fuel, for future use. Solar cars use a range of batteries including lead-acid batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries (NiMH), Nickel-Cadmium batteries (NiCd), Lithium ion batteries and Lithium polymer batteries.

The mechanical systems of a solar car are specially designed and manufacturered to keep friction and gross weight to a minimum while maximizing strength and durability. Designers predominantly use titanium and composite materials to ensure a good strength-to-weight ratio.

The “Real World”

The Venturi AstroLab has been highly regarded as the world’s first commercial solar hybrid car due for release in January 2008. In May 2007 Canadian-based Hymotion altered a Toyota Prius to use solar cells to generate up to 240 watts of electrical power in full sunshine.

Practical applications for solar powered vehicles currently includes golf carts and a variety of single passenger vehicles for elderly and handicapped. One independent entreprenuer and inventor from Michigan has built a street legal, licensed and insured, solar charged electric scooter. The scooter designed for single occupancy has a top speed controlled at just over 30 miles per hour, and uses several fold-out solar panels to charge the batteries while parked.

A Swiss project called Solartxi, seeks to build a dependable everyday use solar car with a trailer, carrying a 6 m? sized solar array. The Solartaxi is equipped with Zebra batteries, enabling the vehicle with a range of 400 km without recharging. The car is also able to run for 200 km without the trailer and maximum speed just exceeds 90 km/h. The car weighs 500 kg and the trailer weighs 200 kg. Reportedly, in mass production, the car can be produced for 6000 Euro.

Auto manufacturers and leading designers and engineers are refining leading prototypes for road-worthy automobiles by 2012.

SE-170 Solar Battery Charger for Cars

Sunsei SE-170 Solar Battery Charger for Cars, Boats and other Small Vehicles – There’s nothing more frustrating than returning from holiday only to discover that your car won’t start! Solar power puts an end to the practice of plugging in your car. Now you can maintain your car battery using the light of day with this solar trickle charger. Simply place a Sunsei Solar Battery Charger SE 170 on your car’s dashboard (or attach it to the window using included suction cups) and keep th (more…)