RE: Who Killed the EV?

[OrionWorks]

From: John Coviello

...

> That miracle battery is on it's way finally! Lithium ion
> batteries have sufficient power densities to deliver 300
> mile per charge and can actually recharge in 5 to 10 minutes.
> You know what that means? People can pull in and recharge
> their EVs on the go, just like filling up the old gas tank.
> That day is coming and it will kill oil when people realize
> how cheap electricity is in comparisson.

While I also look forward to the day when EV or equivalent non-petroleum based vehicles dominate our hi-ways I seem to recall that pushing that much juice through electrical cable to recharge car batteries may turn out to be hazardous to one's health! I don't know how much actual concentrated amperage would be involved to charge a battery within 5 - 10 minutes, but I'm sure it's substantial. I'm sure there are a few EEs in this group who are more than capable of doing the math. I seem to recall Mike Carrell once warning the readership that there is the danger of "vaporizing" the battery or nearby components.

I can believe this. I purchased one of those 15 minute rechargers at a local battery store last year. It's a marvel. Works as advertised. Of course, you have to buy THEIR special brand of batteries in order to take advantage of the quick charge. Fortunately the device will recharge regular rechargeable batteries as well, but within a more traditional length of time: 4 - 6 hours. When the recharger is performing a 15 minute charge a very noisy fan turns on to keep the electronic components from melting down. Almost sounds like a mini-turbine turning on at full blast. Without a doubt, it's the loudest recharger I've ever heard. I'm surprised I don't smell ozone pouring out of the thing. And now, they can do this in less than 5 minutes? That means the amperage would have to be three times the volume than my already fast 15 minute charger. The device would be screaming!

Still, I love watching the contraption. Not sure I would say the same thing if I was attempting to recharge my EV with equivalent technology. You want ME to to connect the cable to that anode??? All the more reason to hope that Mark Goldes' room temperature superconductive cable may make it to market within the near future.

Otherwise, wear rubber boots. ...and stop sweating.

Regards,
Steven Vincent Johnson
www.OrionWorks.com