09-12-2011, 12:32 AM
If you converted all of the vehicles in the USA to electric power, it's been said that you'd have to build a LOT more power plants (and their associated distribution systems) to make up for the energy provided by liquid fuels now. It wouldn't make a lot of sense, when gasoline is relatively cheap (compared to much of the world), diesel equally (and more efficient), and we are sitting on huge supplies of natural gas (not to mention coal, which can be converted to oil and gasoline).
That said, the main impediment to a practical electric car is battery range. Invent a better battery, and the world will come a-knockin'. I wonder sometimes about some kind of bio-technology, but probably what we need is to get more micro than chemistry. There's all that empty space between atoms, after all, to store electrons. . .
In the meantime, I'm still hoping for a Mustang GT convertible. . .
/Mr Lynn
That said, the main impediment to a practical electric car is battery range. Invent a better battery, and the world will come a-knockin'. I wonder sometimes about some kind of bio-technology, but probably what we need is to get more micro than chemistry. There's all that empty space between atoms, after all, to store electrons. . .
In the meantime, I'm still hoping for a Mustang GT convertible. . .
/Mr Lynn