The Truth About Ethanol

[PingSpike]

I don't really understand what the big draw is for electric cars. Why not skip a step and just make a coal powered car?

 

[desy]

OK starter motor then, is still way larger than your RC motor and half the price and thats a RETAIL price. Once motors get built in the millions they will be way cheaper than a gasoline engine, there is like 1/100 the number of parts in one.

Now they are putting thin film solar cells on the roof of electric cars and extending the range that way as well. Some are suggesting skipping batteries and going with ultra-capactiors. Many producs coming over the next decade.

Yes as a two car family, I'd get a short range electric with the gas burner for long stuff.

 

[imported_Truenofan]

thing is, a starter is only designed for a quick use, its not meant for prolonged use, a rc car motor, is. a starter is used for exerting force, and of course it does it quite well, but if you've ever looked at the gear on it, and then think, it connects to the flywheel. very very high gear ratio. same thing on a larger scale, except its going to spin multiple times faster than that starter to get it up to even near regular car speed.

 

[CADsortaGUY]

Originally posted by: Truenofan
thing is, a starter is only designed for a quick use, its not meant for prolonged use, a rc car motor, is. a starter is used for exerting force, and of course it does it quite well, but if you've ever looked at the gear on it, and then think, it connects to the flywheel. very very high gear ratio. same thing on a larger scale, except its going to spin multiple times faster than that starter to get it up to even near regular car speed.

I don't think you understand what he is saying. Yes, a starter motor isn't designed for constant use but the forces exerted on it relative to an RC motor are huge. Now I'd also like to point out that you can purchase electric motors for electric car conversions and they run about the same price as a gas engine(or less). Now think if there was actually more than just a hobbiest(enthusiest) demand for these types of motors?

Anyway, I don't think your RC car works well in this debate because it's a hobby item and the market isn't exactly huge. However just like EVs - if the market for them exploded - the price of the motors would eventually come down as manufacturing ramped up.



As to the OP and ethanol - I see there are still some misconceptions about ethanol - I'll come back and address some of them later....maybe.

 

[desy]

Thank gawd somebody derailed the one train thought.

I think the biggest misconception is the return on energy invested. Its positive especially the new plants. I know around here they use the waste stover and straw to supply the heat needed using more of the plant for energy conversion but it still isn't an order of magnitude better something like 20-30% better where Sugar cane is like 700% better