Since there are no currently active contests, we have switched Climate CoLab to read-only mode.
Learn more at https://climatecolab.org/page/readonly.
Skip navigation
Share via:

Pitch

Electric Cars use the energy stored in a battery for vehicle propulsion.


Description

Summary

Electric cars are a variety of electric vehicle (EV). Electric vehicle uses electric motors for propulsion, while "electric car" generally refers to highway-capable automobiles powered by electricity. electric car's power source is not explicitly an on-board battery, electric cars with motors powered by other energy sources are generally referred to by a different name: an electric car carrying solar panels to power it is a solar car, and an electric car powered by a gasoline generator is a form of hybrid car. Thus, an electric car that derives its power from an on-board battery pack is a form of battery electric vehicle (BEV).

Electric motors provide a clean and safe alternative to the internal combustion engine.


What actions do you propose?

Modifying a gasoline car into an electric car

It is very simple to convert an ordinary car into an electric car. First know some basics about a gasoline car like the exact position of the engine, gas tank, muffler and so on. Here is a simple description of making an electric car. For making an electric car the following components must be purchased.

  • AC electric motors
  • Electric controller
  • Battery tray
  • 12V Lead acid batteries
  • Battery Charger
  • Many motors for driving smaller parts

Working of an Electric Car

An electric car simply consists of three main components – Battery, controller and electric motor.

 

The base of any car is the battery. The battery used for this car is very expensive. By using lead acid batteries, the weight of the car increases a lot (>>1000 pounds). As the number of batteries range from 50 to more, they occupy a lot of space as well. After a long drive, they need at least ten hours to get recharged completely. Apart from the battery used for the car mechanism, there is also an additional 12 V battery on board. This is needed to provide power for other components like wipers, radio, and air conditioner and so on. But the extra expense comes when you have to recharge the battery. You will need a 300V Dc to 12V DC converter. This rating is converted to 240V AC and is sent to the motor with the help of the converter.  This can only be done using a set of transistors, which will convert the DC signal into sine waves rapidly. Thus when the accelerator is fully pressed, the controller produces almost 96 V to the motor. If the accelerator is released, the controller delivers 0V. Thus the controller stands as a buyer of power from the battery and giver of power to the motor. As the accelerator is pressed in different modes, the controller is supposed to give an output power accordingly. So, variable potentiometers are connected between the accelerator and the controller, so that variable, but proportional power can be delivered to the motor. But, if the potentiometer goes wrong the result can be fatal. So, as a safety measure, there are two potentiometers connected to the accelerator. If both show equal value, then the controller proceeds. If they are different, the controller stops working. The greatest disadvantage of this is that the whole car stops working if a single potentiometer goes wrong. In most of the cars, the controller is just a normal switch with an ON position while accelerating and an OFF position while decelerating. But, this is difficult for the driver as he will not get a flow. Thus the controller acts as a pulsator. It notices the value of potentiometer and rapidly switches the proportional power to the motor.

The motors used in electric cars can be AC or DC. Mostly DC motors are preferred than AC motors because they are simple to configure and are not at all expensive. For AC motors 3-phase motors have to be used, running at 240V AC. DC motors, on the other hand requires only (96-192)Volts. DC motors can also be overdriven for a short period of time.

Electric Car Statistics

Different parameters like mileage, speed, and life define the ability of a car. Here is an average reading of an electric car.

  • The car has a maximum speed of 80km.
  • The batteries have a life of almost three and a half to four years.
  • All the batteries included weighs almost 500 kilograms.
  • After a long drive, almost 12KW/h of electricity is needed to charge the car.

 

 

 


Who will take these actions?

Car companies and individual


Where will these actions be taken?

Worldwide


How much will emissions be reduced or sequestered vs. business as usual levels?

Electric cars are green cars, 100% emission-free.


What are other key benefits?

The key benefits are:

  • Compact
  • Convenient
  • Cost Effective
  • Durable
  • Gets better mileage than any other car on the road
  • Higher efficiency by as much as 400 to 600 percent over an internal combustion engine
  • Is extremely safe
  • Low Maintenance
  • No polluting byproducts because this car gets its power from batteries, the wind or the sun
  • Popularity
  • Quiet to drive
  • Three times as efficient as gas engines


What are the proposal’s costs?

Initial cost for an electric car will be very high. The batteries itself will cost up to $2000 and everything else $800. They will last for a minimum of 25,000 miles.


Time line

Within 1 month.


Related proposals


References

http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/Advantages_of_the_Electric_Car

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/transportation/electric-cars

http://www.circuitstoday.com/working-of-electric-cars

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-electric-cars.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_vehicle