WILL BETTER BATTERIES GET THE ELECTRIC CAR MOVING?

Petrol has a much greater energy density than the battery; adding extra batteries to an electric vehicle will not greatly improve its acceleration because of the increase in weight. More than 30 different types of battery are being investigated, some offering considerable improvement in energy density over the lead-acid system. Present lead-acid batteries store only one-quarter of their theoretical capacity. Research into the electro-chemical processes within the battery is outlined. The development of the flinders electric car, using a printed circuit DC shunt motor is described. A light current demand enables a less dense acid to be used with a consequent increase in the life of the cell. Although the sodium-sulphur battery offers the energy density needed by cars, its high operating temperature is likely to restrict its use to commercial vehicles. Lithium-organic electrolyte batteries have great potential and can be operated at ambient temperatures. It is not anticipated that the electric car will replace most "first" cars but would be an ideal second car for urban areas. However, low operating and maintenance costs should make commercial fleet operations the first to use electric vehicles. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03114546
• Corporate Authors:

  Csiro

  314 Albert Street
  East Melbourne, Victoria 3002,   Australia 
• Authors:
  • Rand, D
  • Frazer, E
• Publication Date: 1979-5

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 17-24
• Serial:
  • Ecos
  • Publisher: Csiro
  • ISSN: 0311-4546

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Commercial vehicles; Direct current; Durability; Electric automobiles; Electric batteries; Electric vehicles; Electrochemistry; Electrolytes; Improvements; Maintenance management; Operating costs
• Uncontrolled Terms: Maintenance costs
• ITRD Terms: 1315: Battery; 5910: Durability; 1282: Electric vehicle; 9108: Improvement
• Subject Areas: Energy; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00325125
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 15 1981 12:00AM