One of the things that tends to bias me against electric cars is the fact that I maintain 22 inverters, of one manufacturer, along our right-of-way. These inverters contain 37, 12 volt, 10 year(yeah right), VRLA batteries. These inverters don't have to move, just sit there humming along. The batteries all share the same ambient conditions, with even a little heat provided beneath them. They are there to provide 10 minutes of battery backup at full rated load but also to provide seamless switching when traction power fails, over to the utility. Why is it that one or two batteries in the string will just crap out? For me it's no more seamless switching. For you, in a an electric car, it's a hole in your electric gas tank. One poster mentioned enough range for his daily commute. I guess you can probably count on that when you drive it out of the dealership. What about a year later? Remember how each new battery technology would come out and they would tell us, "These batteries do not have memory problems like NiCds."??? I've got a bunch of NiMHs that make liars out of them. LiPos are great for power output per weight but like to puff up and burst into flame. Most of the batteries I work with shouldn't be discharged below 1.75 VPC. Frequent deep discharging shortens battery life. Recharging at too high a rate isn't good for the plates and also shortens life. Do electric cars have any way to equalize the string during charging? Do you get to switch your car or charger for the choice between rapid charge or best battery life? Forgive me for not researching each of these issues with the electrics but I have no desire to place any trust in one. Let's face it, you won't likely be in much danger if your golf cart quits on you.
Joe
