How I think it will play out

[eric_tse]

Contrary to many opinions that the sky is falling, I think the future will not be so bleak. The rising gas prices are actually strengthening my opinion, because they already force people to change their lifestyles despite the fact that gas is still pretty cheap here. So here it goes:

1. As the prices rise, the public transportation will start to

Comments

[peristaltor]

When did you see the diesel bus with the folded poles? Metro stopped running them (the Italian-made Bredas) about three years ago. The poles were designed solely to power the bus through the downtown bus tunnel which used a different line voltage than the street wires. Those buses have since been modified to use the street voltage. Drivers now call them Frankenbredas.

$18K for a Miles?!? That is excessive. A neighbor has one. I've only glanced at it, but it did seem well put together. . . on the outside. Sadly, electric components are the pricey parts. That's where most electric vehicle makers skimp, choosing the flooded batteries and dc drive systems over safer tech. (I give the skinny on dc here). I'm at least glad the Miles uses ac.

Flooded batteries have high internal resistance and are really, really heavy, making it difficult to draw enough power from the batteries to overcome both the wind drag coefficient of the vehicle and any hills one might encounter at higher speeds. Pull too many amps from them and you just heat the electrolyte, bringing it to a boil if you're not careful.

Guys who have built conversions using floodies tell of pulling a long hill on the freeway, only to see the amps rise and the speed steadily drop.

[eric_tse]

Yes, I saw them in Bellevue about three years ago. Thanks for explaining! Regarding Miles car - the car itself is a Daihatsu, with electric engine. I believe they use gel batteries. The dealership is on Dearborn street, right off I90. Web site http://www.mcev.biz

[peristaltor]

Gel cells are an improvement in terms of internal resistance, but need to be watched for over charging and over draw. Boil that electrolyte and it just shoots out with no hope of replacement. That would explain why they're limited to under 40. Interesting.

[peristaltor]

I just checked the specs on the website. They use a "72V Advanced DC Series Wound" motor. That's a DC motor. No regen braking and a very good chance the thing will go runaway and require a Big Red Button.