2 litres per 100km

This page is a translation of the page "2 liters par 100km" made ​​by Francois Gagnon on February 27, 2008.

Overview

Informations

A plug-in hybrid While the hybrid vehicles on our roads require gas engines to function, my Chevrolet Cavaliers main source of energy is hydro electric power. When more range is required the gas generator can provide it.

Like more drivers, my daily commute averages 65km for a total of 20000km per year. The gas generator operates on the highway to provide additional power. In town or in heavy traffic only the batteries supply the power.

You can see my fuel consumption averages since 2004 in the tables follow. The detailed report is also available for more information.

In this modern age, plug in hybrids are still not available at car manufacturer dealerships, although the concept has existed for more than a hundred years.

Remember the 1994 CBC report on the Chrysler Intrepid with the electric wheel engine ? This concept, developed by the Couture Team from Hydro Québec is in my opinion the base concept for the car of the future. A high performance electric vehicle on wheel engine, getting power from batteries augmented by a generator fuelled by gasoline, hydrogen, biodiesel … M. Couture’s words in his December 1st 1994 press conference (published in Tome 2 of the book “Sur la route de l’électricité” by Pierre Langlois) ring true even today offering us a solution for our collective future.

Considering the international consensus on the need to act on Global Warming or Climate Change and considering that part of the solution is efficient energy consumption, we must push forward the development and use of these technologies.

The obstacles are not technological as M. Couture’s concept demonstrates, but rather political and financial. It is up to the people to demand action so our politicians enact legislation to facilitate the development and implementation of alternative propulsion technologies. Since we are not all mechanics and technicians, we cannot all build or modify our own “green” transportation. But the general awareness of the need to act give me hope.

Frequently asked questions

How far can one travel on battery power?

It is quite conceivable to travel long distances on battery power alone. If all car could commute through Montreal on battery power, urban smog would be eliminated. The common belief is that electric cars will be viable when batteries are developed to offer ranges comparable to gas powered vehicles .This falsehood is unfortunately perpetuated by uninformed media and automotive journalists that know and drive gas powered vehicles.

As creator and builder and driver of my own electric vehicle for more than 10 years, I want you to understand that if I was give and electric car with a range of 500kms, I’d cut it up and make three cars of 150km range. Add a generator and again see their range extend to 500kms. It is preferable to have less battery power to save weight, cost and increase performance. The increased range as required would be supplied by a generator recharging the batteries or directly supplying the electric motor.

To demonstrate this point, I traveled in my Chevrolet Cavalier to the James Bay in 2003. I unveiled my consumption figures (gas and electrical) based on my actual consumption These figures reflect what should be expected by anyone driving this type of concept vehicle were it available.

Of course the results vary greatly depending on daily mileage.

What is the cost of electricity?

The cost of electricity per km traveled is approximately 1/5th that of gasoline. The car is plugged in at night at home and during the day at work. The additional cost on my hydro bill is approximately 20$ per month, less than a pool filter or an ac unit would cost to run.

Doesn’t the electric car simply displace the source of pollution?

Indeed, in Quebec we are favoured by the fact that our energy is produced by hydro electric sources. Other regions can also benefit by developing solar and wind power stations. But considering that the electric engine is 5 times more efficient than the gas engine, the benefits are almost universal regardless of the manner in which the electrical power is produced. The persistence to use vehicles runningon a single energy source limits the evolution to cleaner transportation.

Innovation vs innertia

Since the beginning of the century, individuals, inventors have come up with engines and cars from which huge industries have emerged and evolved. These have evolved half-hazardly as innovations have arisen and needs changed. We have relied on industry and government to take us where we are today. But we are now faced with the need to radically change direction and the weight of regulations, the inertia of minds make it very difficult to address the issues that need be.

A good example of this is the case of the St-Hilaire family inventors of the Quasiturbine engine. A highly efficient high performance engine that is recognised internationally as superior to the traditional internal combustion engine. Government and industry are slow to react and delay the day when we will see this engine installed and functioning in a vehicle.

The same is true for the electric car. A large number of people and groups can build and deliver efficient high performance vehicles. Whereas governments and the automotive industry carry on with business as usual.