By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
thranx on 26 April 2012
Edit Thread
theprof00 said:
thranx said:
HappySqurriel said:
thranx said:


As far as i know 25-30% of energy is lost when burning fuels to convert to electricty (in power plants, closer to 40-50% for home generators) and than even more when transferring that energy to where it is used. How much energy is lost when burning gas for kinectic energy?


When you look at what companies are doing with modern engine and transmission designs, plug-in electric cars don't come close to the efficiency of a gasoline based automobile ... The combination of inefficiencies in distribution of electricity and charging of batteries eliminates all theoritical gains from centralized power generation; and the only reasons it is less expensive to power an electric car than a gasonline car is the electric car has less power, gasoline (tends to be) heavily taxed, and electricity is (often) subsidized.

thats what i thought. I just couldn't find any info on it. I have recently done a lot of research into home solar and wind power and basically all the numbers i ran showed it as far to expensive(especially since i was trying to lower my bill).

"Thermal efficiency, the amount of energy from combustion converted to mechanical work, is only about 26%.' (a) in a typical engine."
http://www.gaiadiscovery.com/energy-carbon-trade/energy-efficiency-of-fossil-fuel-and-electricity-powered-car.html

That's a REGULAR engine. Electric cars and hybrid cars are far more efficient in converting energy to distance.

EDIT: Scratch that, it's actually around 15%
http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/transportation/consumer_tips/vehicle_energy_losses.html

from your first source which compares electric cars to combustion with energy loss.

 

"The idea of using electric motors that are 90% efficient may sound good, until the issue of generating electricity and distributing it is considered. In the UK, it’s estimated that by the time electricity arrives at your home, it is 33% efficient. In other words, 67% of the original fuel energy has been lost. So even if you assume battery charging is 90% efficient, and the electric motor is 90% efficient, the overall energy efficiency suddenly drops to 26.73%, only 0.73% better than internal combustion engines (see detailed explanation at end of article)."

 

So with that in mind would it not be better to foucs on making internal combustion engines more efficent so our oil supply lasts longer? Like Volkswagon has with some of their cars bringing the MPG up to 40+? Instead of forcing new technolgies on our economy that are not yet cost effective? Why not make better use of what we have. I think the only way electric cars will be viable is if the US suddenly decides to build Nucleuar Power PLants again. i don't see that happening anytime soon so we need to focus on getting more use out of our fossil fuels. Its my understanding that great strides have beeen made in coal burning powerplants. And what of the damage to enviroment from wind farms and mining for the materials to make solar cells? I really have tried to find ways in which solar and wind power are cost effective as I really wanted to lower my home electric bill, and right now they just aren't. I tried everywhich way I could think of. The only way I found I could possibly lower my bill wa by purchasing a propane powered generator but even than it would be barely worth it to do so. I honestly do care for the enviroment ( i dont care abnout global warming as i dont believe we are a mojor factor) I worry about all of the pollutants we put in the air that cause illnesses and cancer and the only solution I see that is viable and feasible right now is nuclear power. Maybe after a transition to nucleur power we can sart a transition to green energies.