Electric Car uses new battery technology

[beckpm]

Just saw an interesting article on how a new battery technology is being used in an electric version of the Chrysler Smart Car that has been going great guns in the UK and other parts of Europe - and is rummored to be coming to the US next year.

I wonder if this would work in the HT?

Check out this link for more info:

http://www.ntnu.no/gemini/2003-06e/9.htm


http://www.segwaychat.com/photos/beckpm/NYHET_ELBIL.jpg


Peter Beck
Arlington, Virginia

[Ground Loop]

This sounds like common "Zinc-Air" battery technology -- the same technology used in little hearing-aid button cells for decades!

Any battery with a pull-tab that you peel off to expose the air-holes -- those are zinc-air. They're good for things that you never turn off, since the deplete in air whether you use them or not. Some pager-watches use them.

What was surprising to me is that they can be "easily recharged". I thought they were mostly throw-away plates.

Even the ones that were 'tested on cell-phones' were one-time-use disposable batteries. They lasted much longer than Li-Ion cells, but you couldn't recharge them. They were also a bit bulky and required good airflow to make a lot of current.

They were marketed to business travellers who would value a battery that runs for two to four weeks without needing a charge. Users who could afford to throw away a $40 battery pack instead of charge it.

If they're putting it in a car, they must have made some real strides in the recharging cycle. Excellent!

[GlideMaster]

I need one of those little bugs here in Chicago. Gas around here is $2.22 and they say $3.00 by the summer.

<center>http://www.segwaychat.com/forum/avatars/glidemaster.gif</center>

[dhugger]

If they're planning to more than double the range of the car, that's VERY impressive. I'd be nice if they could do that for the Seg too ;)

-Derek Hugger-

[beckpm]

Here is some more info on that slick SMART electric car. I don't know if this version is using the fuel cell or traditional bateries - sounds like batteries? I wonder if you could put one of those segtrey gadgets on it to head off down the sidewalk once you executed a nose or tail in parking maneuver into a parallel parking slot?

Goto:

http://www.emotionmobility.com


Peter Beck
Arlington, Virginia

[pdantic]

Who needs a parking spot with a SmartCar?

http://www.pdantic.com/joyofsegs/smartpark.jpg

I took this picture in Naples, Italy in '02 - the owner just drove it up onto the sidewalk and parked it there! [:P]

I'm frankly hoping they DO start importing these to the States - they're a wonderful little urban car, although they'd be competition to the Segway.

Steve
The Joy of Segs: http://www.joyofsegs.com

[KonaSegway]

I'll even take a gas powered smart, 60 miles per gallon baby :-)
I talked to an importer in Florida who says they may be doing U.S. street legal conversions of Smart cars for import in a few months. Can't wait.

Aloha,
Sam


http://www.konasegway.com

[beckpm]

quote:Originally posted by pdantic



I'm frankly hoping they DO start importing these to the States - they're a wonderful little urban car, although they'd be competition to the Segway.

Steve
The Joy of Segs: http://www.joyofsegs.com


Why would this be "competition to the Segway?" A car is essential in most cities to transport the Segway to a location of interest for gliding. Until sidewalks go everywhere and batteries last a lot longer, cars will be in the picture - but maybe a smaller picture!

Peter Beck
Arlington, Virginia