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An interesting take why the Auto Makers haven't moved to Electric Cars

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Texmaster brings up some interesting points and it provides an glimpse at the workings behind the big 3. But in the statement that the complexity of gasoline powered engine chokes competition, it seems strange that companies such as nissan, honda, and toyota are competitive because they make gasoline-powered engines that run smoother, produce more power, and are fuel-efficient...as compared to American manufacturers.

In fact, general motors has long been behind its relatively "simple" technology with its 3.8l 6, instead of more complex dohc designs seen on imports. Its seen the consequences of this in some models such as the Olds Intrigue, in which import buyers demanded a dohc solution similar to the other manufacturers.

Frankly as pointed out by many individuals here, electric technology in its present state (whether or not constrained by the big 3) is not an acceptable solution. In that end, whatever justification general motors provides, its irrelevent towards the future of automotive technology. As an economist, its quite obvious that automotive technology will follow whatever course the price of its fuel dictates. These alternative fuels/technologies are in place to ease the transition away from gasoline, not to replace them entirely.
 


<< Take a 200 hp gas, and 200hp electric, and the electric will win off the line and in the long run. The electric will have 200hp there no matter what RPM. >>


I believe you have that backward. The horsepower increases linearly with RPM, but the torque stays constant throughout the rev range. If you check out Shantanu's first link, you'll see the HP peaks at the 7,000 RPM redline, while the torque stays constant.

See the specs here.
 


<<

<< Take a 200 hp gas, and 200hp electric, and the electric will win off the line and in the long run. The electric will have 200hp there no matter what RPM. >>


I believe you have that backward. The horsepower increases linearly with RPM, but the torque stays constant throughout the rev range. If you check out Shantanu's first link, you'll see the HP peaks at the 7,000 RPM redline, while the torque stays constant.

See the specs here. >>



doh. Well if its torque that stays constant and not horsepower, than that electric motor is sucky then and WOULD need gears or a CVT to stay in its peak range. Damn... well I am pretty sure I've heard of motors out there that will give you close to their max output HP at nearly any RPM range (which would make for a kickass motor, electric or gas).
 


<< doh. Well if its torque that stays constant and not horsepower, than that electric motor is sucky then and WOULD need gears or a CVT to stay in its peak range. Damn... well I am pretty sure I've heard of motors out there that will give you close to their max output HP at nearly any RPM range (which would make for a kickass motor, electric or gas). >>


Hmmm, I'm not sure I agree with you there. You want a flat torque curve. Peak torque available anywhere in the rev range is great for driveability.

Aside from the fact that motors take a fair amount of juice to power, they are the ideal "engine" for a car (well moreso than traditional gas engines). Linear HP curve and flat torque curve. You know the old saying: Horsepower sells cars. Torque moves cars.

Well, something like that. 🙂
 
Interesting but I'm missing something here:

Big three don't want to do electric because others can come in and easily compete right? SO, why don't other people come in right now? If it's so easy why doesn't somebody get a billion bucks behind them and start up a car company based around electrics?
 


<< Big three don't want to do electric because others can come in and easily compete right? SO, why don't other people come in right now? If it's so easy why doesn't somebody get a billion bucks behind them and start up a car company based around electrics? >>


I agree. I think it's probably because they don't want to spend the money on the R & D and take the hit on the bottom line. I still say the automakers and the oil companies are being very short-sighted. BTW if anyone is interested in really amazing battery developments do a search on Japanese and German diesel-electric submarine technology. I know the scale is all wrong but remember the first computers filled entire buildings.
 
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