4 minute read
Eco cars
Eco cars evolved
Advertisement
See how modern electric cars are stepping up a gear…
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have been around for longer than you would expect. The first examples of cars powered by electricity were in the early-19th century, and were commonplace until the internal combustion engine took over. The first examples were very basic and couldn’t be recharged. However, the modern-day BEV has evolved a lot since back then and has overcome technical difficulties that made them previously unsuitable for our roads.
Charging time has always been a big issue among the motoring community where BEVs are concerned. Previous examples of BEVs have usually had charging times of around 8-12 hours from UK sockets. This time has been dramatically reduced by new technologies explored by manufacturers like Nissan with the Leaf. Indeed, the Leaf can be charged from flat to 80 per cent capacity in around 30 minutes from a special charging port.
Nissan has also applied some very creative theories to improve the overall efficiency of the Leaf. For example, the front LED lights are designed to deflect airflow away from the wing mirrors. This reduces aerodynamic drag acting on the car, so that less power is needed to propel the vehicle forwards.
Whereas existing BEVs have had issues with large battery packs taking up cabin space, the Nissan engineers have developed theirs to free up space. This is achieved by having the thin 24-kilowatt-hour battery pack underneath the floor. This also has the added benefits of improving handling and structural rigidity.
Modern BEVs are becoming increasingly technologically advanced, with the Leaf having a dedicated app for smartphones. This can be used to start a charging session, activate climate control and to check estimated driving range information without leaving your sofa.
Inside the new Nissan Leaf
Take a look at the cutting-edge technology powering the 2013 Nissan Leaf electric car
Battery cells
A total of 192 cells that are similar to your mobile phone batteries give a range of up to 200km (124mi).
Eco car timeline
We track the rise of electric-powered vehicles from their conception to today
1830s
First electric carriage
Scotsman Robert Anderson builds and drives a basic (non-rechargeable) electric carriage.
1897
Electric cabs
The Pope Manufacturing Company becomes the first large-scale electric car maker, filling the NYC streets with electric taxis.
1899
Speed record
The French-built ‘La Jamais Contente’ becomes the first electric car to reach 100km/h (62mph).
Battery pack
The battery pack and controller unit weighs 300kg (660lb), so is positioned as low as possible to improve handling.
Regenerative brakes
The electric motor can absorb the energy usually lost as heat in braking and put it back into the batteries.
1920s
Internal combustion engine
By the end of the Twenties, the electric car is surpassed by combustion engines.
RECORD BREAKERS GREEN MACHINES 328.6 ELECTRIC CAR LAND SPEED RECORD In June 2013, former science minister Lord Drayson set the electric land speed record for an electric car at 328.604 kilometres (204.185 miles) per hour at Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire, UK.
DID YOU KNOW?
The first US speeding ticket was given to an electric car ‘hurtling’ at 19km/h (12mph) in a 13km/h (8mph) zone
Power plant
The ‘engine’ is a 80kW (110hp), 280Nm (210ft lb) electric motor with a top speed of 150km/h (93mph).
Charging up with Quimera RR
Quimera Responsible Racing is a company that produces spectacular all-electric race cars. Its AEGT, which stands for All Electric Gran Turismo, is considered a masterpiece of space-age technology.
It has not one but three electric motors, which propel the AEGT from 0-60mph in three seconds. The battery pack and motors produce 522 kilowatts (700 horsepower) of power, and 1,000 Newton-metres (738 foot pounds) of torque, which can be applied instantly. These battery packs are positioned as low as possible to ensure that the handling of the car is kept sharp and manoeuvring is nippy.
In many ways the AEGT is a rolling laboratory, where the innovations and developments can be tested for implementing into road-going electric cars for the future.
Advanced aerodynamics
The front LED lights are designed to deflect air away from the wing mirrors. This reduces aerodynamic drag, increasing efficiency.
Charging port
The car can be charged from 0-80 per cent capacity from the front of the vehicle in 30 minutes.
1966
GM Electrovan
This has been credited as being the first-ever hydrogen fuel cell car produced.
2004
Electric sports car
Tesla Motors begins development of the Roadster, which has been sold in over 31 countries to date.
2010
Mass production
The Mitsubishi i-MiEV becomes the first EV to sell more than 10,000 units.
Drivetrain
Due to instant torque from the motor, there is no need for gears and clutches.
2013+
The future
Eco cars are primed to compete with combustion engine cars, with extended ranges and faster charging times.
