2011 370z, 400 hp..... hybrid?

Mergnthwirker

I hate hybrids and hope to avoid them as long as possible. They only represent a stop-gap solution in my book, but one that can be sold to the public since they don't require major changes in behavior to use them.

I work for several automakers as a supplier, and I do not see any of them "dragging their feet" on all-electric design. The limitations of current battery tech are very real. Did you happen to see the Business Week article on problems with li-on battery packs catching fire? It only takes a single bad cell to start a chain reaction and the best batteries today use hundreds of them.

Power grid issues are pretty significant as well. Today's all-electric prototype cars require at least 230VAC service, and would benefit from even higher voltage to shorten charge times to under 4 hours. But in many parts of the U.S. the power grid is struggling to satisfy domestic and industrial demand. Here in the Northeast we are constantly challenged with brownouts and power blips. Adding a few million all-electric cars to this equation will cause many of these systems to fail catastrophically.

There are great strides being taken on developing electric motors with better characteristics for automotive use, higher efficiency, better long-term reliability, etc. But until the battery and grid issues are solved, I think we're a ways from being able to take advantage of the technology.

Just my $.02

HJM

FricFrac

The Business Weekly article must be caught in the '80's because battery technology for vehicles isn't LiIon batteries from your laptop battery. Those batteries are capable of 1C output (eg a 1 amp hour battery can source one amp). Even LiMn which are have been available to consumers for the last two or three years are capable of 20C constant discharge and they can be pierced, crushed, etc without risk of fire. I've even dead shorted one and while there was a lot of soot, there was no danger of fire or explosion. I built a custom battery pack about 1/4 the size of a car battery that would source 600A continuous at about 34V. Thats 20KW and that's old technology. There is now LiPo/LiMn technology as well as LiFe, etc, etc, etc. LiIon is ancient and the Tesla car that uses all those LiIon cells would be the same as you soldering 1400 watch batteries to make a car battery instead of your lead acid battery - its all but insane. I'd like to see the article but it sounds like they are out to lunch.... I'm not saying we've arrived at the perfect battery but we are way further ahead than what is/has been implemented.

I would be shocked (no pun intended) if you don't have 240VAC in your house. Regardless its not the voltage that will reduce charge times - any voltage can be converted to whatever the battery arrangement is. Higher voltage makes more sense because smaller wires are required to carry the same power. As for the power grid there is so much energy on earth that is untapped.... but that's another long debate. Lets harness some of the wind power, etc. Its a matter of capital investment, etc and until the demand is there the investments won't be made. If we told you 20 years ago our power demands would be what they are today everyone would say impossible yet here we are....

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