The Thousand Dollar Challenge

[Casse]

Our thinking seems to be too narrow in the individual, vrs. mass transit, arena. Combining different types of engines, ie the hybrids, and different types of energy generators in one vehicle may make the most sense. One can include both wind turbines and solar cells in a vehicle to charge the batteries on the fly, and use either propane, natural, or methane gas to fuel the ICE. One ends up with a very clean, FE vehicle.

[R.I.D.E.]

The solution is already here.

At this point it is not batteries, and billions have been spent over the last half century to try to make the magic battery or capacitor. They have succeeded in the space program with flywheel batteries, but they are much too expensive as well as not practical for cars.

The capacitive storage of inertial variations in normal vehicle operation is the key to success. It has to be cheap and last at least 10 years.

Comparing the efficiency of powertrains without inertial recovery and reapplication to those with that ability, is like comparing the range of a pure electric vehicle to a Prius driven by Wayne Gerdes. Electric is not efficient enough for that purpose.

In fact, if you consider inertial peak leveling by short term high capacity storage with high efficiency, you have created the potential for a self hypermiling vehicle.

When you can show me a car that can climb the most severe grades and get 100 MPG, at 60 MPH, under normal circumstances as well as have a minumum of 500 miles range, then you have the winner. It must carry 5 passengers in comfort and require no extra driver imput compared to current cars.

At this point I don't care what you use for fuel as long as emissions are at current levels. The fuel issue is another topic.

regards
gary

[herm]

An interesting thread way back, 1 year before the Leaf and Volt started selling. The challenge translates to a battery cost of about $42 per kWh to $28/kWh.. depending if you use an EPA cycle or mild hypermiling to achieve that 100 mile range. It is a Leaf/Focus sized pack for $1000.

Back in 2009 batteries cost around $1000/kWh and today they are down to $400 for automotive quality (will last 10-15 years) cells.. so we have ways to go. I think its unlikely.