Eric, the reason people don't believe the CO2 hoax is because they don't have to understand the intricacies of computer models to decided. People are adept at seeing tells for flim flam. I don't need to be an ace in capacitors in cars, I just need to ask somebody who is a proponent and has got a bit of understanding of it, such as you [I realize your knowledge is only at an amateur level, but I guess you have read a bit and have a simple understanding of technology and simple physics].
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Where have you been the last few years? Supercaps are already being used in a couple pure electric cars and pure electric buses to recapture braking energy.>
When your response is "Oh look, there is already an experiment on capacitors for regenerative braking" I get a good understanding of the situation. That means there is no such thing as a car powered by a capacitor and won't be for a very long time.
When I designed my first electric cars nearly 30 years ago [you wet behind the ears Johny come latelies telling your grandmother how to suck eggs are amusing] I thought "I'll need regenerative braking to save all that energy from going to waste".
When I calculated the amount of energy coming from regenerative braking, it's so near zero it's irrelevant. When you think about it for a few seconds, it's obvious. Drag from pushing a car through air and rolling friction, and internal friction and losses are large and constant. Throw in an air conditioner and by comparison the energy back from braking is homeopathic.
In mountainous terrain regenerative braking is significant. But Peking, Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York, London and most cities are pretty much flat. Sensible people don't drive on their brakes. Brakes are barely necessary when driving. In fact, with my 1951 Hillman, my challenge was to go from parked to parked without any braking and without using the clutch. Parking on a hill was necessary [no starter motor]. I did have clutch but that was part of the fun to avoid using it. The handbrake worked. Start in second gear with the weight of the car turning the motor and starting it. Then change gears by getting the engine revs just right, going up and down the gears. To stop, change down and when slow enough, turn the key off.
Regenerative braking? What for? Joking aside, if you calculate the amount of energy available in a flat city or driving around the average human's journey, you'll find regenerative braking energy is insignificant. That's why engines have great big cooling systems and brakes don't. The energy losses from drag, rolling friction, air conditioning, and thermodynamic losses in the cooling system are enormous.
Elon Musk demonstrated 90 second battery swaps for Tesla. It's doable. Better Place were not so quick but again, demonstrated that it's doable. As with so many things, it's a matter of economics, and overall competitive position. With oil at $30 a barrel, the pressure is off.
Battery swaps have been done on an industrial scale in vehicles since the 19th century. It's a simple matter of nuts, bolts and economics. Actually, nuts and bolts are probably too old school. A clip is all that's needed to hold it in place.
Mqurice |
