Brief History of Electric Vehicle (Automobile)

Electrical Vehicles and Alternate Fuelled Vehicles

The fast depletion of crude oil reserves, frequent price hikes of crude oil and the high atmospheric and noise pollution have created a world wide need to reduce petrol and diesel oil consumption particularly in the automobile industry. The introduction of electric vehicle (battery vehicle) and alternate fuelled vehicles can save substantial amounts in foreign exchange and reduce the dependence on crude oil imports especially for a country like India, besides eliminating high atmospheric and noise pollution.
The chapter describes technological progress, performance, and applications of the electric vehicle. Battery being the only source of power for the electric vehicle, it is a critical component and hence receives equal importance in the chapter. The last part of the chapter deals with compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquid petroleum gas (LPG) operated vehicles.
34.1.

Brief History of Electric Vehicle

The electric vehicle (EV) and the conventional automobile have shared a past; indeed, gas-fuelled and electrically-propelled cars were created during the same period, at the end of the last century. Belgian engineer Camille Jenatzy introduced one of the very first electric vehicles, the surprisingly-designed “Jamais Contente” in 1899. This pioneer vehicle travelled the start-stop kilometre in 47.4 seconds and the launched kilometre was 34. It was the first time an automobile went faster than 100 km/hr. Gas-fuelled cars predominated during the first half of the 20th century. The oil shortage of the 1940s, however, led to renewed interest in the electric vehicle. Performance and electric propulsion are far from mutually exclusive, even in the extreme conditions of automobile competition. For manufacturers as well as equipment sup­pliers, these rallies present a formidable technical challenge, as well as a test laboratory for solutions, which will enhance the mass-produced electric vehicle. Today, the EV is once again in the public eye ; this time, as a viable means of preserving the quality of our urban environments. The “Jamais Contente 2″, piloted by Bruno Bonhuil, broke the world speed record on an electric motor cycle on June 25,1996, with 206 km/h on 1200 meters and 28.2 seconds for the start-stop kilometre. The motorcycle is equipped with a 35 kW Ni-Cd battery. Manufacturers are working on the next generation of vehicles, which will be designed specially for electric power.
An electric vehicle (Fig. 34.1) is a simple mechanical system consisting of a battery to supply energy, a drive motor to transmit it to the wheels and electronic controls to regulate the whole system. It has a limited number of components, which require no tuning and very little maintenance. Consequently, electric cars offer very high operating reliability. Electric vehicles are constantly evolving.
An electric vehicle.
Fig. 34.1. An electric vehicle.
Electric vehicles are an emerging promising technology, which could help solve pollution problems in urban areas. They could also limit traffic congestion because they are small in size, thus they require limited space for parking and are technically suitable for urban traffic. Energy savings are also possible depending on the characteristics of the power generation system.
Despite of lack of real market, the potential of EVs is ample in terms of technology and performance. Recent governmental initiatives in various countries like France, Italy and USA have promoted these systems, opening new and more real perspectives for wider applications. Concerns still remain about the need for a large infrastructure system to carry out the recharging of batteries and the maintenance of the vehicles.


The analysis of the mission requirements of present car parks in Europe demonstrates that market niches are currently accessible by the technical performance of commercially available EVs. The market niches have been long investigated by means of demonstration activities, which have high-lighted technical and also economical benefits of the introduction of EVs. EVs have been introduced and accepted in (i) transport companies,
(«) utility fleets,
(iii) goods delivery fleets,
(iv) innovative individual transport systems (example rent an EV), and
(v) governmental fleets.
Case studies have sampled advantages and constraints related to the use of EVs. The proven applications have also the further advantages of launching an initial market, which could have a positive impact on (a) cost of production (6) the social acceptance, (c) the driving habits of the potential users, and (d) technology (more reliable components and higher performance).
Contribution of EVs towards environmental pollution.
Fig. 34.2. Contribution of EVs towards environmental pollution.

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