Breakthroughs in lithium ion battery technology give Phoenix Motorcars' new SUT a range of more than 200 km and a top speed of 152 km/h.
Credit: Phoenix Motorcars
The EPA definition is worth big money to carmakers. Under the terms of the California Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, each all-electric, fast-rechargeable, zero emission vehicle ('type 3' vehicle) qualifies for 40 ZEV credits. As Gotcher explained it to me, beginning in 2005 the carmakers that sell the most cars in California are under obligation to sell so many ZEVs each. If they don't, they are penalised for every missing ZEV credit. Each credit is worth US$5,000 (about AU$6,500), so a type 3 vehicle is worth US$200,000 (about AU$260,000) in California. Carmakers either have to build their own type 3 vehicles or buy them from another manufacturer - such as Phoenix Motorcars, which plans to sell the SUT initially for around US$45,000 (AU$58,000).
But aren't the big carmakers meeting their California ZEV obligations with their hydrogen fuel cell vehicle programs? According to a Toyota executive I spoke with, they are for now, but in the not too distant future the number of fuel cell vehicles they would have to build is daunting.
Toyota has some nine fuel cell cars in California at the moment, each of which cost about US$1 million to produce. While Toyota is in a better position in California than other carmakers because of its RAV4 (a small 4WD) EV fleet, the carmaker would still have to produce 150 fuel cell cars to meet its ZEV obligations. This constitutes an outlay it simply doesn't want to make, now that the company realises that the technology is at least 10 to 15 years away from commercialisation.
On the other hand, the executive told me that General Motors would have to build 1,500 fuel cell vehicles if the terms of the mandate remain unchanged. You can do the maths on that one.
So, at US$45,000 a vehicle, Phoenix's battery-powered SUT would be an incredible bargain for carmakers who decided to bet on hydrogen fuel cell technology instead of batteries way back in 1998.
Now I understand the twinkle I saw in Gotcher's eye. With his battery in an attractive, capable ute that will start deliveries in 2007, he must feel he's got the world by the exhaust-pipe. But he's not the only one. In fact, 2007 is likely to go down in history as the year the electric car battery finally became a reality.
Secretive Austin, Texas-based EEStor is expected to unveil their battery in early 2007, which is thought to offer a quantum leap forward in cycle life. It too is likely to have a high power to weight ratio and rapid recharge time, but since the company has been playing its cards very close to its chest, we'll have to wait and see what actually materialises.
Computer and lithium ion battery maker Electrovaya, based in Toronto, Canada, continues to pursue various electric vehicle projects, the most recent being an all-electric delivery van. Also in California, Tesla Motors has booked 250 pre-orders for its all-electric, lithium-ion powered Roadster, and it's now talking about selling its battery packs to other car makers.
And, of course, there are other U.S. players such as Valence, Cobasys, Electro Energy, Firefly, the Johnson Controls-SAFT alliance, as well as a bevy of Asian manufacturers from Hong Kong to Tokyo to Seoul, any of which could play a significant role in the emerging hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric car markets.
Yes, 2007 is looking very promising, indeed.
William Moore is editor of EV World, in which this article first appeared.
EEStor 2007?
You mentioned that the EEStor energy storage device is expected to be unveiled in 2006; do you have a real source for that information? If the EEStor device actually works, it will have a profound effect on the car industry, and on Toronto based Zenn cars (formerly Feel Good Cars corp.) in particular.
EEStor
The EEStor energy storage device is a bank of an improved type of multilayer ceramic capacitors. For high energy density they need to be charged to 3500 volts. To make a competitive system, special charging systems must be designed and made available. A special regulator to control discharge and use of the stored energy at a much lower voltage. For details, read US Pat. 7,033,406 and the other patents referenced in that one.
Electric car hype is absurd
As both an electric car proponent (a PRACTICAL car, not a car only a treehugger could live with) as well as a stockowner of Altair, I would love to see a practical battery. Altair's battery truly is the first battery that possesses fast recharge and long lifespan capabilities that are essential if an electric car is to be a viable replacement of gasoline powered vehicles. Right now the batteries have too high an initial price to be have a large influence in the auto marketplace. They are wisely being installed in commercial fleet targetted vehicles, since the utilities and other companies that purchase them are in a position to not worry about the initial costs and will use them for the many years required to make them financially practical. The Big Three have recommended that Congress appropriate $500 million for a battery research effort to match the Japanese, who are ahead of the U.S. in battery development, contrary to the implied claims of this article. Whether a cheaper battery that can equal the Altair batteries can be developed is unknown, although many knowledgeable people in the field seem to believe one can. If not, I would recommend that batteries be financed via 15 years mortgage rather than by auto loan in order to make the high initial price of the batteries surmountable by lower income buyers. The gas savings will allow the batteries to pay for themselves.
Kent Beuchert
Tampa, FL
2007 is year of electric car
As batteries develop, companies should benefit. Motors are also developing at a rapid pace, but the key is going to be cost. Companies that can make electric vehicles at a reasonable cost will be the ultimate winners.
Kent Beuchert is a fake name used by the oil and gas lobby.
Kent Beuchert is an insider for the oil / gas companies who has posted hundreds of daily postings to negate every positive article on electric car achievements. Please "google" his name under "news" to see the hundreds of other postings he has quickly replied to with negative incorrect information. I am writing a story to expose his true identity. Please forward any information you may have on him so we can remove him from future postings. Regards - David Lassiter
Regarding Kent Beuchert
David:
Based on what he wrote here, seems that he is an electric car proponent, though. What makes you think he's a shill?
Kent is a paid lobbyist for the Petroleum industry
Hi Kent. You are NOT an electric car proponent. You are a paid lobbyist. Look it up everybody.
Even more excess..
Why aim for such high performance, speed and range figures? The average car gets driven less than 50Km per day in city traffic at less than 80 Km/H. When consumers understand that their daily needs are easily achieved with low cost battery systems and vehicles then the electric car will come of age..
Why performance?
Look at the EV Smart Car in England.
Look at ZAP EV's in the U.S.
GEM has EVs. I am sure there are others that are inexpensive and underpowered. IMO
They are not taking the mass market by storm.
When Telsa introduced an EV that out performs almost any sports car made, people pay attention.
When Phoenix begins selling an SUT and SUV that performs in speed and acceleration as well as an comperable sized ICE .. this should start to change public perception that EV's are not just oversize golf carts or exotic sport cars. Hopefully with the correct marketing, with seeing a Phoenix SUT actually hauling 5 pasangers and a bed load of stuff, the pubic may change their perception of EVs to one that EVs can be used for main stream public uses.
Emission Credits Mandate Highway Ready Vehicles
I believe this info is in the article.
While it may make sense to reduce the range (and hence the number of batteries), the power must remain. The real questions are: How much does it cost to manufacture 10,000 of these battery packs? How fast can that cost be driven down?
Joe Farah