1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Rolls Royce EV Test Drive

Discussion in 'EV (Electric Vehicle) Discussion' started by GrumpyCabbie, Apr 1, 2011.

  1. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    6,722
    2,121
    45
    Location:
    North Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    First test drive of the Rolls Royce EV prototype.

    BBC News - Driving the electric Rolls-Royce

    I like the idea of induction charging - why hasn't it been taken up by other manufacturers? I understand even the GM EV1 had it. I also note from the article that the Rolls Royce EV has the largest battery pack in any EV. Does this mean that we're going from Gas Guzzlers to Electric Eaters or something similar?
     
    #1 GrumpyCabbie, Apr 1, 2011
  2. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2006
    7,028
    1,116
    0
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    How is "largest battery pack" measured? The BBC did not report any specs. Tesla's Model S pack appears to be most of the length & width of the car. It certainly is too large to fit under the bonnet.
     
    #2 JimN, Apr 1, 2011
  3. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2010
    1,297
    213
    0
    Location:
    Midlands - UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The EV1 had an inductive paddle, which doubled as both a safety and convenience thing. I don't particularly want to waste 8% of the power going into the car (the charger itself will already be wasting that much or more), however, i can see a future for inductive charging at shopping centres, cinemas etc when you want to opportunity charge.
     
    #3 Flaninacupboard, Apr 2, 2011
  4. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    6,722
    2,121
    45
    Location:
    North Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Now that's an idea. I wonder if there's an easy way to have the normal 'plug in' chargers with the car but an additional inductive charging system for when you park at the supermarket etc?

    That way you get the benefit of a full, efficient charge at home but the convenience of the inductive charging when out and about? Who wants to mess around with plugs when you've just filled up your car with shopping/groceries? In a supermarket you'd also have the possibility of someone unplugging your charger (inadvertantly or not).

    Is an additional inductive charger an expensive additional cost?
     
    #4 GrumpyCabbie, Apr 2, 2011
  5. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2010
    1,297
    213
    0
    Location:
    Midlands - UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    One which can transfer the amount of energy needed to chagre a car, yes. The Roller actually has both options.
     
    #5 Flaninacupboard, Apr 2, 2011
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,904
    16,128
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    That would be a good idea, although it may mean one has to park head first if the charger is placed inside the parking space, close to the wall.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Apr 2, 2011
  7. UsedToLoveCars

    UsedToLoveCars Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2009
    448
    102
    1
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    make the roadways one big inductive charger.

    range problem solved

    despite being absurd, it would probably cost a fraction of what we've spent on our oil wars.
     
    #7 UsedToLoveCars, Apr 6, 2011
  8. UsedToLoveCars

    UsedToLoveCars Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2009
    448
    102
    1
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    Model:
    N/A
    #8 UsedToLoveCars, Apr 6, 2011
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)