Xref: sparky ca.environment:809 sci.engr.mech:209
Newsgroups: ca.environment,sci.engr.mech,rec.autos.mech
Path: sparky!uunet!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!nntp-server.caltech.edu!tylerh
From: tyl...@cco.caltech.edu (Tyler R. Holcomb)
Subject: GM electric vehicle Update pt 1
Message-ID: <1992Aug22.234919.17693@cco.caltech.edu>
Summary: Posting from GM about electric vehicls
Keywords: impact electric vehicl GM
Sender: ne...@cco.caltech.edu
Nntp-Posting-Host: sandman
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1992 23:49:19 GMT
Lines: 66
G M
Electric Vehicles
July 23, 1992
We're glad to see support for electric vehicles continue to grow. As we move
toward the introduction date, there are several issues we are addressing. Some
examples include:
* Charging at home
* Standard charging for all electric vehicles
* Safety during charging
* Convenient charging stations
As we address these issues, we'll keep you informed through periodic updates.
Vehicle range is also important. A lot of people we've talked to are concerned
that the range of an "EV" may preclude their owning one. So we've developed a
few questions to help people see if an "EV" would satisfy their driving needs.
* How often do they drive more than sixty miles one way?
* How often do they carry more than one passenger?
* How often do they spend less than two hours at any one location
during the day?
The answer to these questions is usually "almost never. " That means that most
people are candidates for a General Motors electric vehicle. We believe that
people will still own an internal combustion engine vehicle for long trips.
But, an electric vehicle will be a viable alternative for their second car.
Please tell us what questions and issues are important to you. Enclosed is a
questionnaire regarding zero-emissions and alternative-fuel vehicles. We would
appreciate it if you would complete it and return it to us. This will help us
better plan the information we provide in our communications with you.
In the meantime, if you have any questions about our program or electric
vehicle issues, feel free to call at (800) 25-ELECTRIC or (800) 253-5328.
Sincerely,
John R. Dabels
Director, Market Development
Enclosure
General Motors Electric Vehicles Resource Center
432 North Saginaw Street, Suite 801 Flint, MI 48502
1-800-25-ELECTRIC (1-800-253-5328)
--
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Tyler Holcomb * "Remember, one treats others with courtesy and repsect *
tylerh@juliet * not because they are gentlemen or gentlewomen, but *
caltech.edu * because you are." - paraphrased from Garth Henrichs *
--
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Tyler Holcomb * "Remember, one treats others with courtesy and repsect *
tylerh@juliet * not because they are gentlemen or gentlewomen, but *
caltech.edu * because you are." - paraphrased from Garth Henrichs *
Xref: sparky ca.environment:810 sci.engr.mech:210 rec.autos.tech:11591
Newsgroups: ca.environment,sci.engr.mech,rec.autos.tech
Path: sparky!uunet!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!nntp-server.caltech.edu!tylerh
From: tyl...@cco.caltech.edu (Tyler R. Holcomb)
Subject: GM electric vehicle update #2
Message-ID: < 1992Aug22.235011.17786@cco.caltech.edu>
Summary: news from GM about electric vehicles
Keywords: Impact electric vehicles
Sender: ne...@cco.caltech.edu
Nntp-Posting-Host: sandman
Organization: California Institute of Technology, Pasadena
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1992 23:50:11 GMT
Lines: 137
G M Summer 1992 If you'd like to be kept
Electric Vehicles Progress Report up to date on legislative
issues concerning
electric vehicles, call
our Resource Center
at 1-800-25-ELECTRIC
and we'll add your
name to our Legislative
mailing list.
How Far Do You Go On A Dollar?
32 miles --
Geo Storm-Manual: $1.13/gal: 36 mpg hwy
75 miles --
Impact-Day Charging: Normal Utility Rates: $0.12/kwh, 124m = 13.7kwh
113 miles --
Impact-Overnight Charging: Off-Peak Utility Rates: $0.08/kwh, 124m = 13.7kwh
United States Advanced Battery Consortium
Creating New Sources of Efficient Power
Formed in January of 1991, the United States Advanced Battery Consortium
(USABC) brings the Department of Energy together with the Big Three domestic
automakers to jointly fund scientific research. With a goal of giving the
United States a strategic edge in important new battery technology, the USABC's
first contract has been awarded to the Ovonic Battery Company of Troy, Michigan
to adapt nickel metal hydride batteries for use as the first "mid-term"
replacement for lead-acid batteries in electric vehicles.
The goal is to build on Ovonic's experience in producing nickel metal
hydride batteries for low-power consumer products like laptops and cellular
phones, and adapt that leading-edge technology to the large capacities needed
to power electric vehicles. Like lead-acid batteries, nickel metal hydride
batteries will be 100 percent recyclable. Also like several other battery
types, they will have the potential of being "quick-charged" in as little as 15
minutes. Within this decade, important new battery technologies like this
should help give electric vehicles both performance and operating costs that
are even more competitive with today's gasoline-powered cars.
G M Summer 1992 When GMs electric
Electric Vehicles Progress Report vehicle hits the streets
in the mid-nineties,
it will showcase some of
the industry's most
efficient technologies--
some well known
standards, and some
brand new.
New Technology + Proven Technology = Maximum Efficiency
The Lead-Acid Battery Pack -- Proven Standard of Performance
Look under the hood of any production car today and you'll find this
tried-and-true technology. Lead-acid batteries are inexpensive to manufacture,
safe, efficient and recyclable. Everything in a lead-acid battery, except the
electricity, is continuously recyclable. And today, as many as 95 percent of all
lead-acid batteries are recycled, making them an environmentally
sound choice for GM's electric vehicle.
Regenerative Braking-Recycling Energy
The efficient conservation of energy is at the heart of any successful electric
vehicle. Converting the moving vehicle's kinetic energy back into electrical
power helps give drivers the range, acceleration and convenience they demand.
Accelerating
When the driver accelerates, the battery's direct current (DC) is converted into
three separate alternating current (AC) sources with distinct frequencies. By
utilizing innovative "electrical switching" technology ,the AC frequencies can
be varied, allowing the vehicle's electric motors to operate efficiently,
accurately and reliably.
Braking
In most situations when the vehicle is moving but not accelerating, the Impact
prototype's motors actually become generators, converting the energy used to
slow the car back into electricity. This current is then used to recharge the
batteries while the vehicle in operation. As much as 15 percent of the
vehicle's stored energy can be recycled in this manner.
In the Works ---- Key Manufacturing Sites
March 1991 ------ The Craft Centre at Michigan, is chosen as the assembly plant
for electric vehicle production.
August 1991 ----- GM's Delco Remy Division announces it will produce the
batteries at its Muncie, Indiana, plant.
September 1991 -- Delco Remy announces plans for propulsion motor production at
its Anderson, Indiana, plant.
October 1991 ---- GM's Hughes Aircraft Company opens a facility in Torrance,
California, to manufacture power electronics and charging
systems.
The Latest on Range and Charging
Range
The Impact prototype has discharged highway range of 120 miles. To maximize
battery life, a comfortable driving range of 60 to 80 miles is ideal. The
average daily driving range in the United States is 30 miles a day.
Charging
>From a complete discharge, the Impact prototype will charge fully in two to
three hours, using the same 220-volt power most electric stoves and dryers use.
Night charging will help spread the demand for electricity and reduce the burden
on power plants. In fact, by charging at night with sophisticated charging
systems, the current power supply in Southern California can support over 2.5
million electric vehicles like our Impact prototype.
Establishing a Public Infrastructure
GM is currently working with other auto manufacturers to establish industry
standards for the safe and convenient charging of electric vehicles.
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tyler Holcomb * "Remember, one treats others with courtesy and repsect *
tylerh@juliet * not because they are gentlemen or gentlewomen, but *
caltech.edu * because you are." - paraphrased from Garth Henrichs *
--
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tyler Holcomb * "Remember, one treats others with courtesy and repsect *
tylerh@juliet * not because they are gentlemen or gentlewomen, but *
caltech.edu * because you are." - paraphrased from Garth Henrichs *