Originally Posted by Ws6
Electric is the future, I agree.
Well, I'm not so sure. I've been studying the battery dilemma for some time now.
There is an age old engineering maxim that goes something like this: A valid idea is followed by plenty of money, however no sum of money produces valid ideas.
The lithium battery chemistry is well understood, as are all other forms of chemical batteries from Florine batteries to Aluminum batteries. We can only move so many ions, as there are only so many to move. Despite North of 3 BILLION dollars investment, the projections are: batteries with 20% more energy density in 10 years. I'm not a chemist, but I do understand the engineering behind electrochemical energy storage. There are some very finite theoretical limits. Those limits fall far short of the energy density of fuels.
Furthermore, a best case scenario of a fuel burning power plant running an EV, still puts the EV at a distinct energy consumption disadvantage when compared to a Hybrid. A combined cycle power plant can be over 60% efficient, but the BEST we can do at the plant's fence is 54%. (Remember that Hybrids now have a 41% efficient powerplant and no more than 10% powertrain loss) Grid losses are 8%. Grid outlet to charger to battery, from battery to controller, to motor to wheel efficiency is 58% to 61%. For a net EV efficiency, best case of 29%.
Put another way, the best case EV consumes about 20% more fuel than a comparable Hybrid.
The Prius is slow and the Tesla is not. However, "slowness" need not be the case with Hybrids. There are indeed some incredibly powerful Hybrids.