A SPARK OF LIFE? DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES

Although electric traction for road vehicles has been used for many years, present use is mainly confined to short range stop/start vehicle operation. While this type of vehicle is non-polluting in itself, the problem of pollution is simply being transferred to a power station generating source. The development of electric cars is being held back by the problem of energy density where they are at a disadvantage compared with petrol-engined vehicles. Current research work is centered on sodium-sulphur cells, iron-air batteries and further development of the lead-acid cell. Although another possible development is that of the hybrid vehicle, in which a petrol engine recharges a battery, or other form of energy storage, it is shown that apart from cost and weight penalties, the hybrid vehicle is only economical in town conditions. Finally, a number of electric-vehicle projects being developed world-wide are briefly mentioned. /TRRL/

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00137782
• Corporate Authors:

  Design Council

  29 Haymarket
  London SW14 4SU,   England 
• Authors:
  • BENNISON, R
• Publication Date: 1975-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 815-818
• Serial:
  • ENGINEERING
  • Volume: 215
  • Issue Number: 10
  • Publisher: GILLARD WELCH LIMITED
  • ISSN: 0013-7782

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Buses; Development; Economic efficiency; Electric automobiles; Electric batteries; Electric vehicles; Energy; Fuel consumption; Hybrid vehicles; Operating costs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Efficiency
• ITRD Terms: 1315: Battery; 9013: Development; 5911: Efficiency; 213: Energy; 232: Fuel consumption; 221: Operating costs
• Subject Areas: Economics; Energy; Highways; Public Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00134073
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Sep 16 1976 12:00AM