GM used to be better. In 1996
GM used to be better.
In 1996 in the NESEA American Tour de Sol, the Solectria Sunrise got 375 miles per charge,Ford’s Ecostar got 227 miles per charge, GM's EV-1 got 125 miles.
Nearly 20 years later they've actually regressed!?! ! Why? It would
be easy to make an EV that is coated with thin-film PV so it is always charging
the batteries and ultracapacitors anytime any light is present, (Aleo Solar
thinfilm PV works equally well on indirect light because it operates off of
infrared, it pays back for itself in 2-3 years and lasts 17 years and the
active elements are fully recoverable/recyclable.) This EV would also have
generators placed in certain wheels that didn't have the motors (even extra wheels could be added for a total of six wheels) so electricity is also
produced and fed back into the power source anytime the wheels move, (the free
moving wheels containing generators are piggybacking onto the already large
moving mass of the vehicle which is already being moved as a means of
transport); regenerative braking would also recapture energy and also
feed electricity back into the onboard recharging system; the power saving
system used in the Solectria Sunrise and light weight could be used and power
saving ultracapacitors i.e., Maxwell Technologies', would also be employed
during acceleration greatly extending the battery charge up to 15 times
and of course further extending the range. You could also use the Altairnano
Nanosafe batteries which already provide 240 miles per charge, charge in 10
minutes, operate in extreme temperatures, do not overheat and last over 15,000
recharges. This EV would rarely need recharging by an outlet because
it is almost always trickle recharging through other means esp. the PV. Think of the world-wide market for such a vehicle replacing most existing vehicles and the
money and wealth it would put into the hands of consumers and the worldwide
economy because they are not paying for gas or much electricity. And, of
course, the effect it would have on reducing climate change and air pollution. Think of all the jobs it would create. Better than a 40 mile per charge Volt.