ENVIRONMENT

13 May 2009

by François Charron

technoserv@sympatico.ca

Translated from French by Marc-Alain Nantel

The Electric Vehicle

Sooner than anticipated

With a cost per km next to nothing and zero polluting emissions, it’s only a matter of time before the EV (electric vehicle) leaves the workshop of the passionate solo researcher to mingle with the thermal-engined cars in showrooms.

There are already numerous alternative energy vehicles on the market, and we’re expecting a considerable increase in their numbers and models. During the next decade, buyers will be offered other choices than gas or diesel. New products will then be introduced on the market next to those of the current major car manufacturers.


Tesla Battery

Better quality batteries

To date, batteries have been the weak link in electric vehicles due to their unpracticality, the safety aspect and the high maintenance cost. Thanks to breakthroughs in energy supply sources and electronic technology in recent generations of hybrids, lithium batteries with new chemical components are now being tested on EV propulsion systems. While ‘plug-in’ electric vehicles (PHEV) are considered the future ecological solution, hybrids are limited to a driving range of 40-60 km, since the thermal engine/generator kicks in to reach our destination beyond that point, in order to recharge using an external power source.

Micro cars

There are presently two types of electric vehicles available on the market, one being low speed vehicles (LSV) which can reach a maximum of 40 km/hr. These micro cars are to be used mainly in urban areas, legal in most American States and in Europe, but not yet in Canada, even though one of the major manufacturers, ZENN Motors, has facilities in the latter.

Cars with greater driving ranges

Another type of emerging electric vehicle, whose performances are significant, reaching a driving range of 200-400 km, meets all road safety standards. Depending on the power source and type of batteries used, the recharge time for these vehicles can vary from just a few hours to a whole night. Intense replacement concepts for complete sets of batteries are currently being developed, allowing for total replacement in the same time span as refuelling. Also on the drafting table are concepts of battery-charging cells capable of recharging in minutes using a high performance power source.

Transport Canada getting involved

Even though EV research and development is mostly taking place in California, Europe and Asia, where electric vehicles are more popular on account of contraints caused by traffic problems and strict polluting emission standards, Transport Canada is currently testing two of these vehicles as part of its ecoTECHNOLOGY for vehicles (eTV) program.

Reduced maintenance

The arrival of EVs on the market will have a significant positive impact on maintenance service reduction/complexity. With the elimination of combustion engines and a simplified propulsion system, the number of components in a typical electric vehicle will be substantially reduced, lowering the time and frequence of maintenance periods, while normal wear will be limited mainly to tires, brakes and shock absorbers during the vehicle’s operating life. The future will reveal the batteries’ lifespan and power supply sources; however, most current design criteria allow us to predict a ten-year operating life.

Turning dreams into reality

With the arrival, in 2008, of the first high performance EVs from Tesla Motors and Phoenix Motorcars, and the involvement of industry giants in setting up hybrid vehicle R & D programs (some manufacturers opting directly for the electric vehicle), the EVs future has never been so bright.