Before we start, do spend 5 minutes to read this article from TODAYOnline:
http://www.todayonline.com/
This article talks about Singapore Power and Renault doing some trials on the feasibility of running
electric cars in the relatively small Singapore City. Theoretically, it will seems to work as Singapore is not a big country and the range of 185km for a fully charged electric car seems to be more than sufficient for the average driver. With an average mileage of 18,000km per year, I suppose there are hardly too many people clocking more than 80km per day.
This article talks about Singapore Power and Renault doing some trials on the feasibility of running
electric cars in the relatively small Singapore City. Theoretically, it will seems to work as Singapore is not a big country and the range of 185km for a fully charged electric car seems to be more than sufficient for the average driver. With an average mileage of 18,000km per year, I suppose there are hardly too many people clocking more than 80km per day.
Unfortunately, that's really on paper and there are a few other issues in real life that we need to solve. Renault electric cars are powered purely by electricity. This works if you are living in a landed property with a slot to connect or they specifically build a charging point in your multi-storey carpark. Unfortunately that is not the case for most of us and hence I think unless they can achieve to the point it is as common as a car washing bay in multi storey carpark, it is not going to work. Even that, who is going to guarantee that nobody is going to fight with you to use the electricity slot?
Also, there is that fact that people doesn't like to re-fill, or in the case, recharge their car everyday. Refilling petrol once a week could still be acceptable, but talk about recharging everyday, people would want to avoid this hassle. Unless, of course, like I said early, you stay in a landed property.
There is a comment on the article in TODAYonline that electric cars will work only if it is able to charge itself. That sets me thinking of the different type of electric car (pure or hybrid) you can find in the market today.
Pure electricity-powered, just like what Renault is introducing with Singapore power.. I believe the general terms for it is called fuel-cell technology where charging the cells, essentially batteries, and the battery will power the electric motor which will drive the car.
Then there is those petrol-electric hybrid models available in today market where car is powered by both the electric motor and the petrol engine. The electric motor can usually run alone on low speeds and assists in conditions where power is necessary. This is still on the basis that the electric motor assist the petrol engine and petrol engine will take over at some point of time where the electric motor is no longer efficient. It still consume fuel just like a petrol engine but lesser than a conventional petrol engine.
However, many manufacturer seems to have overlook or find it not feasible to produce a different kind of hybrid where the electric motor drives the car only and petrol / diesel or even natural gas power the electric motor.
From what I understand, electricity in simple terms is generated by 'stroking' magnetic coils many rounds. The job of rotating the coil is a light load and does not need a lot of fuel to power it. Thus, the petrol engine can be designed to consume as little fuel as possible. The electric motor which drives the car will never be out of power as long as there is petrol engine drives it.
In this case, you could be perhaps topping petrol once a month or two. You will never find yourself stuck in a situation where you run out of electric and had to abandon the car. You will never run out of electric with the petrol generator working and if you are running low on petrol, there are plenty of petrol stations around for you to top up, just like conventional car. This process saving you time and money.
So you will get the benefit of an electric car quiet, smooth, torquey save fuel minus the drawbacks which mainly the need to find a place to charge and running the risk of running out of electric juice to power the car.
Isn't this the best of both world?
I believe that for one to switch to a car run by electricity, it must offer more convenience / comfort / cost savings or any benefits for the motivation to be there. Once people enjoying the comfort that the electric car is bringing to them, petrol engined conventional car will very well be a thing of the past.
There is a comment on the article in TODAYonline that electric cars will work only if it is able to charge itself. That sets me thinking of the different type of electric car (pure or hybrid) you can find in the market today.
Pure electricity-powered, just like what Renault is introducing with Singapore power.. I believe the general terms for it is called fuel-cell technology where charging the cells, essentially batteries, and the battery will power the electric motor which will drive the car.
Then there is those petrol-electric hybrid models available in today market where car is powered by both the electric motor and the petrol engine. The electric motor can usually run alone on low speeds and assists in conditions where power is necessary. This is still on the basis that the electric motor assist the petrol engine and petrol engine will take over at some point of time where the electric motor is no longer efficient. It still consume fuel just like a petrol engine but lesser than a conventional petrol engine.
However, many manufacturer seems to have overlook or find it not feasible to produce a different kind of hybrid where the electric motor drives the car only and petrol / diesel or even natural gas power the electric motor.
From what I understand, electricity in simple terms is generated by 'stroking' magnetic coils many rounds. The job of rotating the coil is a light load and does not need a lot of fuel to power it. Thus, the petrol engine can be designed to consume as little fuel as possible. The electric motor which drives the car will never be out of power as long as there is petrol engine drives it.
In this case, you could be perhaps topping petrol once a month or two. You will never find yourself stuck in a situation where you run out of electric and had to abandon the car. You will never run out of electric with the petrol generator working and if you are running low on petrol, there are plenty of petrol stations around for you to top up, just like conventional car. This process saving you time and money.
So you will get the benefit of an electric car quiet, smooth, torquey save fuel minus the drawbacks which mainly the need to find a place to charge and running the risk of running out of electric juice to power the car.
Isn't this the best of both world?
I believe that for one to switch to a car run by electricity, it must offer more convenience / comfort / cost savings or any benefits for the motivation to be there. Once people enjoying the comfort that the electric car is bringing to them, petrol engined conventional car will very well be a thing of the past.
Renault-Singapore Power Collaboration:
The new electric Kangoo
(Photo taken and modified from Sgcarmart website)
The influenza, emm... I mean Fluence ze
(Photo taken from Sgcarmart website)
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