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I've always wondered if it wouldn't be easier to use the grid to power cars instead of thousands of tank trucks on a daily basis to fill our gas stations which

I've always wondered if it wouldn't be easier to use the grid to power cars instead of thousands of tank trucks on a daily basis to fill our gas stations which at the same time consume more gasoline. From the practical point of view, we should use the oil to generate electricity, not to run our cars. Until we find a way to replace oil with nuclear, fision or whatever, then the grid remains intact we only change the source. And cars remain electric without any change. See? blame BigOil for stomping his boot on the head of progress...

smhinsey 17y ago
I'm sure you are aware of this, but just in case, there are good reasons why this hasn't taken place and most of them have to do with battery technology. The basic problem is that the current crop of batteries take too long to charge on residential current and don't hold charge long enough. Their weight is also a big issue.
Xichekolas 17y ago
We are just now at the point where battery technology makes this possible. It's not like 'BigOil' has been preventing this... liquid petroleum based fuels have so far offered the most practical solution for powering a vehicle, and this is only now starting to change.
coryrc 17y ago
Filling your gas tank is equivalent to ~0.5megawatts; your house is 50kilowatts (usually a 240V 200A service), so we can't use electric cars in the same way we use gasoline cars. They're only useful for trips around town, which is what, 90% of miles driven?
- harshavr 17y ago
  "gas tank is equivalent to ~0.5megawatts", just to be more clear, could you say how many hours of driving are you assuming the gas fill will last, since your measurement is in terms of power?
  - pkulak 17y ago
    I think he's saying that gas gets into a tank at the electricity equivelent rate of about half a megawatt.
jasonkester 17y ago
Somehow, the combination of "grid", "tracks" and "electricity" popped out to make me think you were calling for a National Slot Car Network. Electric cars running on little slots in the road, with every car having a rigid steel rod fit into it and two metal pads on springs that ride on electrified rails embedded in the pavement. I'm down, so long as we get to install those cool handheld trigger things in the cars.

smhinsey 17y ago

I'm sure you are aware of this, but just in case, there are good reasons why this hasn't taken place and most of them have to do with battery technology. The basic problem is that the current crop of batteries take too long to charge on residential current and don't hold charge long enough. Their weight is also a big issue.

Xichekolas 17y ago

We are just now at the point where battery technology makes this possible. It's not like 'BigOil' has been preventing this... liquid petroleum based fuels have so far offered the most practical solution for powering a vehicle, and this is only now starting to change.

coryrc 17y ago

Filling your gas tank is equivalent to ~0.5megawatts; your house is 50kilowatts (usually a 240V 200A service), so we can't use electric cars in the same way we use gasoline cars. They're only useful for trips around town, which is what, 90% of miles driven?

harshavr 17y ago
"gas tank is equivalent to ~0.5megawatts", just to be more clear, could you say how many hours of driving are you assuming the gas fill will last, since your measurement is in terms of power?
- pkulak 17y ago
  I think he's saying that gas gets into a tank at the electricity equivelent rate of about half a megawatt.

jasonkester 17y ago

Somehow, the combination of "grid", "tracks" and "electricity" popped out to make me think you were calling for a National Slot Car Network. Electric cars running on little slots in the road, with every car having a rigid steel rod fit into it and two metal pads on springs that ride on electrified rails embedded in the pavement. I'm down, so long as we get to install those cool handheld trigger things in the cars.