Myth:Electric Cars are the Next Big Thing

Presented by:Royle Juusola

Electric Cars

• Pros– Inexpensive Refueling– Quiet– No emissions at point of use

• Cons– Recharge Rates– Battery Life– Energy Density– Mass– Battery Safety

Source: Mail Online

Batteries

• 2009 DOE Energy Storage Report– Cost– Abuse Tolerance– Life– Performance

Energy Density

Petrol

Diesel oil (DERV)

Ethanol

Coal

Firewood

Natural gas

Taco Bell Bean Burrito

Nickel-cadmium Battery

NiMH

Lead-Acid Battery

Lithium-Ion

Lithium-Ion-Polymer

0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000

Energy Density (Wh/kg)

Data Source: MacKay, Taco Bell

Questions

• What are some disadvantages to electric cars?– Batteries

• How does the energy density of a battery compare to hydrocarbon energy sources?– Very poorly to say the least

Works Cited

• Bryce, Robert Power Hungry: The Myths of ‘Green’ Energy and the Real Fuels of the Future, New York: Public Affairs. 2010

• MacKay, J.C. Sustainable Energy – without the hot air , Cambridge: UIT Cambridge Ltd. 2009, http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/sustainable/book/tex/cft.pdf 19-March-2011

• "Full Nutrition Information: All Items." Taco Bell Calories and Nutrition Information. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.

• "Jeremy Clarkson Sparks New BBC Row over Top Gear Electric Supercar Test 'failure'"Mail Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.