The electric power concept for vehicles has been in existence since 1890, and was a competitor to steam and gasoline power technologies. It did not emerge as the power source in the dominant powertrain design for passenger vehicles, mainly because of the necessary capacity of the batteries and the associated weight. Infrastructure and supporting industries were developed around the gasoline powered vehicle. Because of concerns regarding emissions, non-sustainable energy resources, and foreign dependence on oil, the electric car has been revisited. It is anticipated that the Chevrolet Volt shall be available for sale in 2011.
Questions
What experiences from electric train technology can be utilized in the R&D of electric vehicle technology?
What experiences from gasoline-electric vehicle technology can be utilized in the R&D of electric vehicle technology?
Regarding the electric vehicle powertrain, what scale economies of components already exist?
Will electric vehicles be readily accepted by the public?
Regarding the electric vehicle powertrain, what unique infrastructure already exists, and what needs to be developed?