Electric and 150 MPH

[MartyA]

Tax rebate coming? Buy this:

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2009/02/mission-motors.html

[randy]

Looks cool, sounds cool.

Reading further in the web site, I see all the major mfgs are developing "e-bikes" I don't get it. Is there really a need?

And I am developing a hatred for the "Green Goblins", those that preach "e"-guilt and offer "e"-sensible alternatives at an astronomical price tag. $69K? no thanks, I'll go get 7 motorcycles and beat the crap out of all the SUV's in mileage, maintenance, etc.

Oh, damn. Now I've gone and made this into a political thread. Sorry. (ducking for cover).

[CatatonicBug]

I am a techno-geek myself, and, being born and raised in SoCal, tend to lean toward the environmentally friendly side of things. I like cool-looking techno toys, and in my book, this passes as one. I have always admired Tesla, and the company named after him. I would imagine that the people running this new company have got a lot of knowledge to make a nice vehicle, but there is that sticker shock thing too...

There is always the practical side too. Where in the heck do you mount the saddle bags and sissy bar/luggage rack on this thing??

[MartyA]

I am guessing it is not a long distance tourer. Besides, if you can afford this thing you can have your limo follow behind with all the luggage.

I believe we need to start now developing the 'electric' infrastructure, so that 40 years from now we can still power certain types of vehicles. I think that is more economic and less political. The "green" effort will keep this rolling.

This bike uses an induction motor which seems odd based on the fact that is is using battery power. It is probably a brushless DC motor or switched reluctance brushless DC. I was in a magnet company years ago that developed some of the first commercial applications of brushless DC motor technology in GM fuel pumps.

What "brushless" means - take the regular electric motor - it has copper windings inside a shell and copper windings around a rotor. The rotor has brushes that contact it and makes it spin when you apply current. That spins and creates power. DC motors can substitute either the windings or the rotor with permanent magnets. If you replace the rotor with a magnet assembly it becomes 'brushless.' Dyson in England have some that are able to spin up to 100,000 RPM.


That is about all I know about it.

[Crazcnuk]

Stupid part is that Electric is not 'clean'.

Electric vehicles just move the pollution to a different area, ie: the power generation stations.

Unless the powere in your area comes from a clean source, charging your electric bike or car isn't clean.

Same thing with hybrids. They still take just as much power to move around, they just offset the charging pollution to wherever the power station is.

[madmax-im]

This isnt just about being environmentally friendly...but also energy independant...Tesla was a brilliant man...he was way ahead of his time...Quite obviously this is cost prohibitive to the avg.Joe but it nonetheless is prolly where things will head. If we have sources of energy production that are green then regenerating electric cars will become feasible and more e-friendly

[Crazcnuk]

But if electricity becomes plentiful enough and clean enough, then Hydrogen is THE fuel of the universe.

H is the most abundant atom in the unverse. It's in the water that covers 2/3 of our planet, and it does not hurt to break it down, then reconnect it over and over.

It has no by-products and it's co-element is oxygen, another eco freindly one.

Hydrogen can be burnt in internal combustion engines to keep our vehicles independant of the power cord and longer ranged.

They have been trying to make electric cars viable for over 100 years.

We just have to get over the fear of the future so we can leave the past.

[3Phase]

But if electricity becomes plentiful enough and clean enough, then Hydrogen is THE fuel of the universe.
[...]
We just have to get over the fear of the future so we can leave the past.

"Oh the humanity!"


Regards,

Scott

[Pat Kelly]

Bikes with pedals are "green"

[Crazcnuk]

Not really. To use one you have to use a lot of muscle power, which, in turn, causes you to need more food, which starts a whole chain of events to create.

Food takes tremendous amounts of machinery, labour and fuel to grow, process and ship.

Why do you think the powers that be are far more interested in making people exercise, instead of just eating less?

[cywelchjr]

Not really. To use one you have to use a lot of muscle power, which, in turn, causes you to need more food, which starts a whole chain of events to create.

Food takes tremendous amounts of machinery, labour and fuel to grow, process and ship.

Why do you think the powers that be are far more interested in making people exercise, instead of just eating less?

Just eating less turns you into a 90lb weakling, while working out turns you into Arnold Swartzenegger.

[Crazcnuk]

Only 1 in 5,000,000 wants to be Arny, while, according to stats, about 2/3 want to be thinner.