ELECTRIC CARS: AGAINST THE CURRENT?

The Impact is the result of a joint effort by General Motors and AeroEnvironment, and is considered by many to be the first practical electric car, as well as a model whose design advances may be adapted to other more conventionally powered vehicles. Fast, comfortable and energy-efficient, the Impact displays such developments as a low drag coefficient, easily rechargeable batteries, an induction motor, high horse power, low loss of energy to heat and friction, "dynamic braking" which regenerates electricity to charge batteries, and specially designed wheels which nearly halve normal rolling resistance. Other technologically innovative vehicles designed by Toyota, Volvo, Mercedes and BMW are described; none, however, are commercially available, a condition many attribute to low fuel costs and lack of federal incentive.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/3041176
• Corporate Authors:

  National Parking Association

  1112 16th Street, N.W., Suite 300
  Washington, DC  United States  20036
• Authors:
  • Moore, C A
• Publication Date: 1990-12

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: p. 25-29
• Serial:
  • Parking: the magazine of the parking industry
  • Volume: 29
  • Issue Number: 8
  • Publisher: National Parking Association
  • ISSN: 0031-2193

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Electric automobiles; Environmental impacts; Vehicle design
• Identifier Terms: General Motors Corporation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Energy efficiency
• Old TRIS Terms: Design vehicle
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Highways; Vehicles and Equipment; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00604327
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 28 1991 12:00AM